ANNALS 


UNITED   STATES 


CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION 


BY 

REV.    LEMUEL  [M^O  S  S 

HOME  SECRETARY  TO  THE  COMMISSION 


PHILADELPHIA 
J.      B.      LIPPINCOTT     &     CO 

1808 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  by 

HORATIO  GATES  JONES, 
Secretary  of  the    Trustees  of  the   U.   S.   Christian   Commission, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the  Eastern 
District  of  Pennsylvania. 


LIPPINCOTT'S  PRESS, 


TO  THE 


YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATIONS 


UNITED    STATES, 


BY    WHOSE    ACTION 


THE  UNITED   STATES   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION 


WAS    CONSTITUTED, 


THIS     VOLUME 


RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


By  the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
United  States  Christian  Commission ,  approved  at  the 
final  meeting  of  the  Commission  at  large,  and  under  the 
management  of  the  residuary  Trustees  of  the  Commission, 
appointed  'January  n,  1866,  all  the  profits  which  accrue 
from  the  sale  of  this  volume  are  to  be  applied  "to  the 
spiritual  and  temporal  benefit  of  those  -who  are,  have  been, 
or  may  be,  soldiers  or  sailors  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States ."' 

1  See  page  229. 


PREFACE. 


THIS  volume  has  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  request 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  United  States  Christian  Com- 
mission, and  under  the  superintendence  of  a  special  Committee 
appointed  for  that  purpose.1 

I  have  given  the  name  of  ANNALS  to  the  book,  because  it  is 
simply  an  endeavor  to  narrate  the  events  which  occurred  in  the 
course  of  the  Christian  Commission's  operations.  No  attempt  is 
made  to  discuss  the  causes  or  consequences  of  this  unique  religious 
movement.  No  attempt  is  made  to  criticise  the  principles  by 
which  the  Commission  was  guided,  nor  the  conduct  of  those  who 
were  brought  into  direct  or  indirect  connection  with  it.  Even  in 
the  few  cases  where  it  may  seem  that  censure  is  implied,  there  is 
no  intended  reference  to  motives.  Without  any  concealment  of 
my  own  sympathies,  it  has  yet  been  my  aim  to  be  as  nearly 
impersonal  as  possible,  that  thus  the  story  might  "  tell  itself."  I 
have  therefore  freely  used  contemporaneous  documents  of  all 
kinds,  believing  that,  whatever  their  deficiencies  may  be,  they 
are  far  more  valuable,  as  expressions  of  the  spirit  and  circum- 
stances of  the  times, — and  these  are  the  principal  things  to  be 
preserved  in  such  a  volume, — than  any  generalized  statements  of 
my  own. 

The  book  might  easily  have  been  made  much  larger.  It  has 
i  See  pp.  227,  229. 


6  PREFACE. 

not  always  been  easy,  with  the  abundant  materials  at  hand,  to 
select  and  compress.  It  will  be  seen  that  my  method  has  been, 
in  some  important  instances,  to  choose  certain  topics  for  detailed 
statement  and  illustration,  and  to  pass  over  other  kindred  points, — 
equally  worthy  in  themselves,  perhaps,  of  similar  treatment, — 
with  the  briefest  allusions.  A  full  narration  of  everything  was 
impossible,  within  reasonable  limits,  and  such  a  representative 
presentation  seemed  preferable  to  one  that  should  aim  at  greater 
symmetry  and  end  by  failing  to  give  a  distinct  impression  of  any 
part.  That  there  have  been  no  errors  of  judgment  in  the  selection 
and  treatment  of  topics  is  more  than  I  dare  hope.  I  can  only 
claim  an  intention  of  giving  a  fair  and  clear  exhibition  of  the 
whole  subject,  in  such  a  manner  as  should  secure  to  the  book  the 
greatest  and  most  permanent  value. 

My  obligations  to  others,  for  assistance  of  various  kinds,  are 
many  and  great.  In  their  proper  places  will  be  found  acknow- 
ledgments for  such  as  I  have  used  of  the  communications  or 
suggestions  of  my  correspondents.  I  would  repeat  here  my  hearty 
thanks  for  their  generous  and  valuable  aid.  I  have  not  hesitated 
to  ask  help  wherever  it  seemed  to  promise  the  slightest  increase 
of  value  to  the  book,  and  my  requests  have  uniformly  received 
prompt  and  courteous  attention.  The  name  of  W.  W.  KEEN, 
M.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  should  be  added  to  the  note  at  page  52, 
as  I  recently  learned  my  indebtedness  to  him  for  the  conveyance 
of  a  package  of  valuable  documents  from  Paris. 

The  officers  of  the  United  States  Government  confirmed  their 
previous  kindness  to  the  Commission  by  readily  granting  such 
requests  as  I  had  occasion  to  ask. 

It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  record  here  the  names  of  some  gentle 


PREFACE.  7 

friends,  who  will  discover  traces  of  their  handiwork  in  the 
following  pages,  but  they  much  prefer  to  enjoy  their  discovery 
unrecognized. 

It  is  elsewhere  noted  that  JOHN  A.  COLE,  ESQ.,  REV.  E.  P. 
SMITH,  MRS.  ANNIE  WITTENMYER,  and  REV.  J.  C.  THOMAS, 
either  wholly  prepared  the  narratives  of  the  work  in  their  respec- 
tive departments,  or  furnished  materials  therefor.  In  this  con- 
nection the  services  of  MR.  JOHN  IRVING  FORBES  demand  special 
recognition.  For  several  months  he  was  engaged  in  selecting  and 
arranging  materials,  with  which  his  previous  duties  at  the  Central 
Office  of  the  Commission  had  made  him  familiar.  He  also  pre- 
pared the  List  of  Delegates  and  several  of  the  Statistical  Tables. 

The  Committee  of  Publication,  under  whose  superintendence 
the  work  has  been  prepared,  as  well  as  other  gentlemen  officially 
connected  with  the  Commission  and  its  Branches,  have  aided  me 
by  the  examination  of  my  manuscript  and  proofs.  But  more  than 
to  any  one  else  my  thanks  are  due  to  CHAS.  DEMOND,  ESQ.,  of 
Boston.  His  great  familiarity  with  the  operations  of  the  Com- 
mission, from  the  beginning  and  in  all  its  departments,  has  ren- 
dered his  assistance  of  the  highest  value.  He  has  read  all  the 
manuscript  with  great  care  and  has  gone  patiently  over  all  the 
proofs.  His  suggestions  have  been  a  constant  help  and  his 
approval  a  constant  encouragement. 

It  is  a  personal  gratification  to  acknowledge  the  courtesy  and 
painstaking  attention  of  the  publishers,  stereotypers,  and  en- 
gravers. How  well  they  have  done  their  work  it  would  be  super- 
fluous to  say. 

My  associates  in  the  University,  with  thoughtful  consideration, 
have  greatly  relieved  me  in  my  professional  obligations  during 


8  PEEFACE. 

the  preparation  of  this  volume, — for  an  entire  year  dividing  among 
themselves  my  duties  of  instruction. 

No  pains  have  been  spared  to  secure  accuracy  in  the  facts, 
figures,  dates,  and  names  of  persons  and  places.  Nothing  has 
been  stated  for  which  there  did  not  seem  to  be  a  satisfactory 
warrant.  But  it  is  impossible  that  there  should  not  be  some 
mistakes, — perhaps  many, — and  their  correction  will  be  thank- 
fully received. 

The  INTRODUCTION  is  unavoidably  fragmentary  and  imperfect. 
But  it  contains  many  interesting  facts, — some  curious  and  some 
very  sad.  If  it  aids  in  stimulating  some  one  to  investigate  the 
subject  there  sketched,  one  design  of  its  insertion  will  be  attained. 

The  chapter  on  PRELIMINARY  MOVEMENTS  is  believed  to  be 
more  nearly  complete  than  any  similar  record  of  the  first  indica- 
tions that  our  people  were  ready  for  the  philanthropic  and  Chris- 
tian activity  which  the  terrible  conflict  rendered  imperative. 

The  engravings,  with  one  or  two  minor  exceptions,  are  from 
photographs,  and  materially  increase  the  value  of  the  book.  The 
portrait  of  MR.  STUART  has  been  added,  because  of  the  wide- 
spread desire  of  his  fellow-laborers  in  the  Commission  to  possess 
this  souvenir  of  their  association. 

The  book  is  sent  forth  with  diffidence,  and  yet  not  without 
confidence, — trusting  that  it  will  commend  itself  to  those  who 
sustained  and  encouraged  the  Commission  by  their  prayers  and 
their  beneficence,  and  to  Him  also  whose  name  the  Commission 
wore  and  who  bestowed  upon  it  so  constantly  and  so  abundantly 
of  His  blessing. 

LEMUEL  Moss. 

UNIVERSITY  AT  LEWISBURG,  PEXXA.,  "i 
November  12,  1867.     J 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

INTRODUCTION.— A  GLANCE  BACKWARDS 13 


CHAPTER  I. 

PRELIMINARY   MOVEMENTS 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  FIRST  YEAR 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  SECOND  YEAR 142 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  THIRD  YEAR 165 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  FOURTH  YEAR ....  222 


CHAPTER  VI. 


AUXILIARIES 

2 


10  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VII. 


WORK  IN  THE  AUMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND 455 

CHAPTER  IX. 

CONTRIBUTIONS 519 

CHAPTER  X. 

DELEGATES 541 

CHAPTER  XI. 

STORES.— SPECIAL  DIET  KITCHENS ....  639 


CHAPTER  XII. 

PUBLICATIONS.— LOAN  LIBRARIES 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

SUMMARY 725 

MEMORIAL  RECORD.— OUR  HONORED  DEAD 738 

INDEXES.— I.  INDEX  TO  THE  INTRODUCTION 741 

II.  INDEX  TO  THE  ANNALS ,....  743 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PORTRAIT  OF  GEO.  H.  STUART FRONTISPIECE. 

PAGE 

CHAPEL  AT  MEADE  STATION,  VA.—  EXTERIOR 183 

CHAPEL  AT  MEADE  STATION,  VA.— INTERIOR 184 

STATION  AT  MORGANZIA,  LA 186 

STATION  AT  FORT  LEAVENWORTH,  KANSAS 318 

SOLDIERS'  DINING-ROOM,  PITTSBURG,  PA „ 346 

CHAPEL  FLAG 413 

STATION  AT  GENERAL   HOSPITAL,  CITY  POINT,  VA 421 

A  WINTER  STATION 422 

A  FIELD-HOSPITAL  STATION 428 

THE  COFFEE  WAGON 445 

STATION  AT  FORTRESS  MONROE 571 

DELEGATE'S  BADGE 601 

LADY  MANAGER'S  BADGE 684 

LOAN  LIBRARY 720 

11 


INTRODUCTION 

A  GLANCE  BACKWAED. 


THE  recent  conflict  for  the  preservation  of  the  American  Union 
has  familiarized  the  minds  of  the  people  with  the  scenes  and 
operations  of  war.  The  history  of  past  wars  is  now  irradiated 
with  the  light  of  actual  experience,  and  they  have  thereby  be- 
come invested  with  a  new  interest.  The  motives,  the  precursors, 
the  attendant  circumstances,  the  results  for  human  welfare  and 
advancement,  in  the  previous  contests  of  the  race,  have  become 
questions  of  new  significance,  for  which  also  we  now  have  the  key 
to  a  better  understanding. 

The  influence  of  Christianity  upon  war  has  been  signalized 
during  our  civil  strife  as  never  before,  and  by  the  light  of  the 
present  illustration  we  can  more  clearly  trace  the  past  movements 
and  progress  of  this  influence  upon  the  passions  of  men.  His- 
tory furnishes  many  more  contrasts  than  parallels  to  our  war, 
because  in  the  vast  majority  of  instances,  both  ancient  and 
modern,  wars  have  been  undertaken  by  monarchical  or  despotic 
powers,  from  motives  of  personal  aggrandizement,  envy,  and 
revenge,  or  for  the  political  glory  of  the  ruling  classes.  Never 
before  were  the  people  of  a  nation  so  immediately  concerned  in 
the  declaration,  support,  and  direction  of  a  great  war,  for  the 
maintenance  of  national  unity  and  the  promotion  of  human  broth- 
erhood. The  agency  of  Christianity  in  preparing  the  circum- 
stances and  conditions  of  such  a  war,  —  in  starting  and  shaping 
the  questions  which  rendered  it  possible  and  inevitable, — in 
training  the  nation  to  an  appreciation  of  its  duty,  and  in  supply- 
is 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

ing  the  power  to  perform  it,  —  suggests  a  theme  of  surpassing 
interest.  Its  just  treatment  would  require  a  survey  of  the  entire 
field  of  modern  history,  for  the  seeds  of  our  present  discussions 
and  attainments,  in  civil  and  religious  freedom,  were  deposited  in 
human  society  by  the  teachings  of  Christ  and  during  the  mis- 
sionary labors  of  the  Apostles. 

But  if  the  agency  of  Christianity  is  signally  manifest  in  pre- 
paring the  nation  for  the  war  and  the  war  for  the  nation,  the 
power  and  beneficence  of  its  ministry  were  displayed  amid  the 
very  scenes  of  the  war,  in  a  manner  and  to  an  extent  wholly 
unparalleled  in  history.  "  Christianity  has  been  for  centuries 
winning  triumphs.  It  has  civilized  and  instructed  the  masses, 
founded  schools  and  seminaries,  diffused  the  knowledge  of  human 
rights,  sanctified  the  press,  and  influenced  the  governments  of 
earth.  It  has  entered  the  domestic  circle,  and  elevated  woman  ; 
it  has  purified  and  ennobled  the  relationships  of  life ;  and  the 
highest  and  purest  of  spirits  have  given  it  their  homage.  But 
never  before  had  it  stepped  forth  in  all  its  glorious  radiance  upon 
the  field  of  battle." ' 

As  introductory  to  an  account  of  this  ministry  of  Christianity 
upon  the  field  of  battle,  in  the  operations  of  the  U.  S.  Christian 
Commission,  it  may  be  well  to  glance  at  the  position  of  the  sol- 
dier in  the  past  history  of  .war,  as  seen  in  the  care  bestowed 
upon  his  physical  and  moral  wants.  Ours  was  emphatically  the 
soldiers'  own  war.  They  fought  for  themselves  and  their  fami- 
lies. They  fought  also  for  the  government  which  they  had  estab- 
lished, and  which  they  were  determined  to  maintain  and  control, 
as  the  instrument  of  their  own  prosperity.  Hence  the  whole 
nation  was,  in  one  sense,  in  the  army, — a  part  going  as  delegates 
for  all  into  the  field,  while  the  others  remained  at  home  to  succor 
and  sustain  them.  This  truth,  the  constant  remembrance  of 
which  is  essential  to  an  understanding  of  the  war,  in  the  unity, 
universality,  and  fervor  of  the  national  purpose,  and  essential  also 
to  a  comprehension  of  the  work  of  the  Commission,  in  its  method 

1  Bishop  Simpson's  Address  at  the  Closing  Anniversary  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission. 


A    GLANCE   BACKWARD.  15 

and  extent,  can  be  best  appreciated  from  the  brief  historical 
survey  proposed.  The  survey  must  be  brief,  and  in  many  respects 
very  inadequate,  for  it  is  an  inquiry  which  no  one  has  prosecuted 
as  a  special  study,  and  the  scanty  materials  are  widely  scattered 
throughout  ancient  and  modern  literature.  Yet  something  can 
be  said  which  will  aid  in  justly  estimating  the  subject  directly 
before  us. 

The  first  distinct  mention  of  war  is  in  the  Bible  (Gen.  xiv), 
at  a  date  more  than  a  thousand  years  earlier  than  the  birth  of 
Homer  or  the  fabled  founding  of  Rome.  Abraham,  the  "  father 
of  the  faithful"  and  the  "friend  of  God,"  is  brought  before  us  as 
a  victorious  warrior.  Standing  as  Abraham  does  at  the  begin- 
ning of  political  and  ecclesiastical  history,  it  is  of  interest  to 
observe  that  the  drama  of  civilization  and  religious  progress 
opens  with  war  and  with  triumph  for  the  right.  There  had  been 
fightings  before,  for  the  wickedness  and  violence  of  man  had 
been  great,  but  the  records  are  fragmentary  and  the  allusions 
obscure.  The  wandering  tribes  and  families  were  segregating 
and  crystallizing  into  nations  and  governments.  The  race  as  a 
race  had  now  reached  its  lowest  point  of  impiety  and  barbarism. 
From  henceforth,  beginning  with  one  man,  there  is  to  be  a  sepa- 
rate and  divinely-instructed  people,  whose  fortunes,  under  the 
various  aspects  of  the  patriarchate,  Judaism,  and  Christianity,  are 
to  constitute  the  main  story  of  human  progress,  and  in  their 
relations  to  whom  the  histories  of  other  peoples  become  signifi- 
cant and  valuable.  Chedorlaomer,  an  Elamite  chief,  with  several 
confederates,  made  a  sudden  foray  upon  the  cities  of  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah  and  the  neighboring  communities,  —  killing,  capturing, 
and  dispersing  them.  "  And  they  took  all  the  goods  of  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  and  all  their  victuals,  and  went  their  way.  And 
they  took  Lot,  Abram's  brother's  son,  who  dwelt  in  Sodom,  and 
his  goods,  and  departed."  Immediately  on  learning  of  the  dis- 
aster Abraham  "armed  his  trained  servants,  born  in  his  own 
house,  three  hundred  and  eighteen," — the  first  company  of  godly 
soldiers  on  record,  —  put  himself  at  their  head,  and  pursued  after 
the  offenders.  With  great  courage,  and  no  little  strategy,  he 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

attacked  the  freebooters  and  completely  despoiled  them.  "  He 
brought  back  all  the  goods,  and  also  brought  again  his  brother 
Lot  and  his  goods,  and  the  women  also,  and  the  people."  No 
wonder  that  Abraham  received  the  congratulations  and  thanks 
of  those  whom  he  had  so  greatly  befriended,  and  who  could 
appreciate  the  chivalrous  generosity  of  this  servant  of  God. 

After  the  Jews  'became  a  nation  and  entered  on  the  possession 
of  Canaan,  they  were,  like  all  the  nations  of  antiquity,  continu- 
ally involved  in  war.  "War,"  says  Goldwin  Smith,  "was  the 
universal  state  of  nations  in  early  times ;  and  the  strong  though 
coarse  foundations  of  human  character  were  laid  in  the  qualities 
of  the  warrior.  The  Jews  were  always  surrounded  and  always 
threatened  by  war.  Therefore  to  fight  valiantly  for  his  country 
and  his  temple  was  part,  not  only  of  the  civil  duty  but  of  the 
moral  training  of  a  Jew,  and  to  be  with  the  people  in  the  hour 
of  battle,  and  exhort  them  to  behave  bravely,  was  part  of  the 
office  of  the  priest,  and  consistent  with  the  character  of  his  call- 
ing." '  (See  Deut.  xx.) 

From  the  laws  of  war  and  the  position  of  the  priest  in  the 
army  it  is  evident  that  the  Jewish  soldier  was  not  wholly  neg- 

1  Does  the  Bible  sanction  American  Slavery?  By  Goldwin  Smith,  LL.  D.,  Regius 
Professor  of  Modern  History  in  the  University  of  Oxford,  England.  Cambridge  : 
Sever  and  Francis.  18R4.  See  page  17. 

This  admirable  pamphlet  has  a  permanent  value,  aside  from  the  particular 
theme  discussed,  in  its  statement  and  illustration  of  the  principles  of  historical 
criticism.  As  pertinent  to  the  present  subject,  a  few  additional  sentences  may  be 
given.  Commenting  upon  Deut.  xx,  as  showing  the  superior  moral  advancement 
of  the  Jews,  Professor  Smith  says,  "The  Mosaic  laws  of  war  for  the  present  day 
would  be  very  inhuman ;  for  that  day,  and  compared  with  the  practices  blazoned 
on  the  triumphal  monuments  of  Assyrian  and  Egyptian  warriors,  they  were 
humane.  That  which  is  of  Moses  and  of  God  in  this  passage  is  the  command  to 
proclaim  peace  to  a  city,  and  give  its  garrison  the  option  of  saving  their  lives  by 
becoming  tributaries,  before  proceeding  to  the  usual  extremities  of  Oriental  war. 
The  duty  of  giving  quarter  to  the  garrison  of  a  city  taken  by  storm  was  not  known 
to  the  group  of  primitive  nations  of  which  the  Jews  were  one;  it  was  not  known 
to  the  polished  Athenian  who  massacred  the  inhabitants  of  Melos  without  mercy; 
it  was  not  known  to  the  combatants  in  the  Thirty  Years'  War;  it  was  hardly 
known  to  Cromwell ;  but  it  is  known  now."  Page  15.  The  kings  of  Israel  had 
the  reputation  among  surrounding  nations  of  being  "  merciful  kings."  (1  Kinga 
xx.  31.) 


A   GLANCE    BACKWARD.  17 

lected,  either  as  to  bodily  care  or  religious  culture.  But  the 
notices  in  the  Bible  on  these  points  are  so  few  and  meagre  that 
we  cannot  gain  much  particular  knowledge.  It  is  a  singular 
fact  that  while  much  curious  information  on  the  warlike  customs 
of  other  ancient  nations  has  been  obtained  from  the  remains  of 
sculptures,  vases,  bronzes,  mosaics,  and  paintings,  which  have 
survived  to  our  times,  we  have  no  such  source  of  information 
respecting  the  Jews.  "  In  remarkable  contrast  to  Greece,  Rome, 
Egypt,  and  we  may  now  add  Assyria,  Palestine  has  not  yet 
yielded  one  vestige  of  the  implements  or  utensils  of  life  or  war- 
fare of  its  ancient  inhabitants ;  nor  has  a  single  sculpture,  piece 
of  pottery,  coin  or  jewel,  been  discovered  of  that  people  with 
whose  life,  as  depicted  in  their  literature,  we  are  more  familiar 
than  with  that  of  our  own  ancestors."  '  The  general  treatment 
of  the  early  Jewish  Army  is  thus  summed  up  by  the  authority 
just  quoted :  "  The  maintenance  and  equipment  of  the  soldiers 
at  the  public  expense  dates  from  the  establishment  of  a  standing 
army,"  in  the  reign  of  David.  Before  that  time  "  each  soldier 
armed  himself,  and  obtained  his  food  either  by  voluntary  offer- 
ings (2  Sam.  xvii.  28,  29),  by  forced  exactions  (1  Sam.  xxv.  13), 
or  by  the  natural  resources  of  the  country  (1  Sam.  xiv.  27).  On 
one  occasion  only  do  we  hear  of  any  systematic  arrangement  for 
provisioning  the  host  (Judg.  xx.  10).  It  is  doubtful  whether 
the  soldier  ever  received  pay,  even  under  the  kings.  The  only 
instance  of  pay  being  mentioned  applies  to  mercenaries  (2  Chron. 
xxv.  6).  But  that  he  was  maintained  while  on  active  service,  and 
provided  with  arms,  appears  from  1  Kings  iv.  27;  x.  16,  17;  2 
Chron.  xxvi.  14,  15." 2 

A  writer  in  several  numbers  of  the  Army  and  Navy  Journal 
for  1864  treats  of  the  medical  arrangements  in  the  armies  of  the 
ancients.  He  shows  by  circumstantial  reasoning  and  historical 
farts  that  much  more  attention  was  paid  to  the  wants  of  their 
soldiers  than  is  commonly  supposed.  We  know  that  the  Egyp- 
tians, as  well  as  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  made  attainments  in 

1  Smith's  Dictionary  of  ike  Bible,  word  Armor. 

2  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  word  Army. 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

medicine  which  would  be  deemed  respectable  even  at  the  present 
time,  and  that  at  least  in  the  earlier  periods  of  history  their  sol- 
diers were  regarded  with  special  honor.  Anecdotes  might  be 
gathered  from  their  literature,  and  some  formal  statements  and 
legal  prescriptions,  which  confirm  the  favorable  presumption  thus 
raised,  that  their  soldiers  were  well  cared  for.  In  Egypt  physi- 
cians were  supported  from  the  public  treasury,  and  were  required 
to  treat  soldiers  without  charge.1  The  Babylonians  and  Chal- 
deans had  no  physicians.  "  In  cases  of  sickness  the  patient  Avas 
carried  out  and  exposed  on  the  highway,  that  any  persons  passing 
by,  who  had  been  affected  in  a  similar  manner,  might  give  some 
information  respecting  the  means  that  had  afforded  them  relief." 
No  one  was  allowed  to  pass  the  sick  without  seeking  to  ascertain 
their  diseases.2  Cyrus,  King  of  Persia,  according  to  Xenophon, 
spared  no  pains  to  procure  for  his  soldiers  all  that  could  contri- 
bute to  their  Avelfare.  Even  if  the  work  of  Xenophon  is  a 
romance,  it  at  least  shows  what  he  regarded  as  the  duty  of  a  good 
commander.  The  writer  in  the  Army  and  Navy  Journal  above 
referred  to,  says  that  "  the  first  mention  of  medicine  in  Avar  in 
authentic  history  (as  opposed  to  poetry  and  mythological  chrono- 
logy based  on  obscure  facts),  is  at  the  siege  of  Crissa,  or  rather  of 
Cyrrha,  near  Delphi,  on  a  bay  of  the  Gulf  of  Corinth,  by  the 
Amphietyons,  about  B.  c.  600.  A  pestilential  malady  prevailing 
in  the  camp  of  the  besiegers,  they  sent  for  Nebrus,  the  great- 
great-grandfather  of  Hippocrates  the  Great,  to  visit  their  camp. 
The  physician  proceeded  thither,  and  seems  to  have  brought 
health  in  his  train,  since  by  his  police  and  attention  the  pestilence 
was  overcome,  and  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  troops  was  entirely 
restored."  It  appears  indeed  that  on  this  occasion  Nebrus,  the 
most  famous  physician  of  his  time,  took  with  him  his  son  Chrysus, 
scarcely  less  celebrated  as  a  physician,  and  took  also  a  large  war 
vessel  fitted  up  at  his  own  expense  with  both  medical  and  mili- 
tary apparatus.  Their  heroism  and  skill  were  of  great  service  to 

1  Eawlinson's  Herodotus,  Vol.  II,  p.  117,  note. 

2  Rawlinson's  Herodotus,  Vol.  I,  p.  263  :  Smith's  Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman 
Antiquities,  word  Medicina. 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  19 

the  besiegers.1  It  is  probable  that  the  greatest  physicians  in 
Grecian  history  were  at  times  employed  in  the  army,  at  least  for 
the  care  of  the  leaders.  Many  anecdotes  are  told  of  the  atten- 
tion of  Alexander  the  Great  to  his  soldiers, — sharing  their  pri- 
vations, visiting  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  giving  commands  for 
the  relief  of  their  wants.2  It  is  thought  that  the  ancient  Romans, 
especially  in  their  later  history,  had  an  organized  medical  depart- 
ment in  their  armies.  The  probabilities  are,  however,  that  from 
all  the  appliances  and  advantages  noticed  the  common  soldier 
profited  very  little. 

But  not  to  dwell  on  these  details,  which  are  obscure  at  best, 
and  can  hardly  be  of  general  interest,  we  are  permitted  to  give  the 
testimony  of  those  whose  knowledge  of  the  entire  subject  will  be 
readily  admitted,  and  who  have  kindly  answered  our  inquiries. 

Henry  Coppe'e,  L.L.  D.,  President  of  Lehigh  University,  Beth- 
lehem, Penna.,  thus  writes:  —  "The  hospital  arrangements  of 
the  Greeks  and  Romans  were  extremely  meagre.  The  Grecian 
soldier  was  to  a  great  extent  his  own  surgeon,  and  many  of  them 
had  some  skill  in  the  rude  surgery  of  the  time.  The  physicians 
of  Alexander  the  Great  were  for  his  own  behoof  and  that  of  his 
friends,  and  did  not  take  care  of  his  troops. 

"  The  Medicus  Vulnerarius  (physician  for  wounds)  of  the  Ro- 
mans was  attached  to  the  legion,  and  was  highly  esteemed.3  But 
with  the  subversion  of  Rome  the  military  system  became  quite 
chaotic,  and  the  troops  depended  for  the  care  of  their  health  on 
quack ish  camp  followers,  not  much  above  the  Indian  '  Medicine- 
Men.'  I  think  you  may  safely  start  with  the  assertion  that  hos- 
pitals, army  asylums,  etc.,  have  had  their  origin  in  modern 
times." 

1  Smith's  Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman  Biography,  articles  Nebrus  and  Chrym*. 

2  See  Philip  Smith's  History  of  the  World,  pp.  49,  77,  etc. 

3  "  The  Romans,  it  is  conceded  by  the  Conversations- Lexicon,  had  Division  Sur- 
geons (Medici  Vulnerarii),  one  to  each    legion.     This  statement  does  not  go  far 
enough.    There  were  surgeons,  not  only  to  legions,  but  also  to  cohorts  (modern 
batta/ion-s).     Besides  these  there  were  classes  of  officers  especially  charged  with 
collecting    and   taking  care  of  the   wounded,   etc."  —  Army  and  Navy  Journal, 
August  27th,  1864. 


20  INTKODUCTION. 

Professor  Tayler  Lewis,  LL.  D.',  of  Union  College,  writing 
more  at  length,  says:  "There  is  nothing  in  all  antiquity  that  can 
l)e  compared  with  the  labors  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  our 
country.  I  refer  not  now  to  that  part  of  the  work  which  may 
be  called  Christian  in  the  more  special  sense,  and  which  was 
altogether  unknown  to  the  ancient  States.  There  was  but  little 
done  for  the  bodily  sustenance  or  the  outward  help  of  the  poor, 
whether  they  became  destitute  from  ordinary  causes  or  the  casual- 
ties of  war  and  the  public  service.1  Still  we  must  not  judge  them 
by  modern  ideas.  The  state  of  society  was  so  different, — almost 
all  manual  labor  being  performed  by  slaves, — that  our  political 
economy,  as  well  as  our  notions  of  charity,  become  inapplicable 
to  their  circumstances.  Not  to  enter  upon  this,  however,  which 
would  lead  me  away  from  the  main  questions  you  propose,  I 
would  simply  give  you  the  little  information  that  is  to  be  obtained 
in  respect  to  their  treatment  of  disabled  soldiers.  This  is  scanty 
enough.  There  are  no  treatises  upon  the  subject,  nor  any  extended 
references  to  it  in  the  historians  or  the  orators.  An  allusion  here 
and  there  by  Aristotle  or  Plutarch,  or  some  of  their  most  discur- 
sive writers,  is  all  that  can  be  found.  The  Greek  States,  and 
especially  Athens,  did  make  such  provision,  though  certainly  not 
on  any  very  large  scale.  One  reason  that  may  be  given  is,  that 
the  objects  requiring  such  bounty  were  far  less  numerous  than 
those  that  are  made  by  our  modern  wars.  The  Greeks  had  no 
standing  armies,  nor  even  any  that  can  well  be  compared  to  our 
volunteers, — entering  upon  a  field  service  for  two  or  three  years. 
They  were  quick  levies  of  citizen  soldiers  or  sailors,  sent  out  on 
defensive  or  offensive  excursions,  and  soon  returning  to  give  place 

1  Dr.  Arnold,  writing  of  the  Roman  Empire  as  it  was  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Christian  era,  says,  "Charity  and  general  philanthropy  were  so  little  regarded  as 
duties,  that  it  requires  a  very  extensive  acquaintance  with  the  literature  of  the 
time  to  find  any  allusion  to  them.  There  were  no  public  hospitals,  no  institutions 
for  the  relief  of  the  infirm  and  poor ;  no  societies  for  the  removal  of  abuses  or  the  im- 
provement of  the  condition  of  mankind,  from  motives  of  charity.  Nothing  was  done 
to  promote  the  instruction  of  the  lower  classes,  nothing  to  mitigate  the  miseries 
of  domestic  slavery,  and  far  less  to  stop  altogether  the  perpetual  atrocities  of  the 
kidnapper  and  the  slave-market."  —  Encyc.  Metropol.,  as  quoted  in  Kitto's  Biblical 
Cyclopedia,}  third  English  edition,  Vol.  Ill,  page  694. 


A   GLANCE    BACKWARD.  21 

to  others.  This  continued  until  the  long  Peloponnesian  War 
(B.  c.  430)  began  to  make  a  change  in  the  military  service. 
Their  campaigns  were  short,  sharp,  and  decisive.  Hence  the 
casualties  of  war,  aside  from  those  directly  killed  and  wounded, 
were  much  less  than  in  our  own  times.  Hence  too  there  is  so 
little  to  be  found  respecting  any  hospital  or  commissary  service 
in  the  Greek  wars.  Again,  from  the  very  nature  of  their  fight- 
ing,1 the  number  of  the  wounded  bore  a  much  less  proportion  to 
the  killed  than  it  now  does.  Battles  were  fierce  and  short,  soon 
decided  by  the  rout  (Tporry}  of  one  side  or  the  other,  and  then  it 
was  escape  or  slaughter.2  Few  prisoners  were  taken.  We  see 
this  from  the  great  noise  the  Athenian  orators  and  demagogues 
made  about  the  few  hundred  prisoners  they  once  happened  to  take 
from  the  Spartans  at  Pylos.  The  Bible  historians,  too,  show 
this.  We  read  of  the  great  numbers  of  the  slain  (so  great  some- 
times that  we  are  almost  driven  to  the  supposition  of  numerical 
mistakes  in  the  text),3  but  we  seldom  if  ever  read  of  the  wounded 
or  the  sick  in  camp.  Indeed  this  last  item,  which  is  so  important 

K'The  combat  assumed  the  form  of  a  number  of  hand-to-hand  contests,  depend- 
ing on  the  qualities  of  the  individual  soldier  rather  than  on  the  disposition  of 
masses.  Hence  the  value  attached  to  fleetness  of  foot  and  strength  of  arm  (2  Sam. 
i.  23;  ii.  18;  1  Chron.  xii.  8).  Another  mode  of  settling  the  dispute  was  by  the 
selection  of  champions  (1  Sam.  xvii ;  2  Sam.  ii.  14-17),  who  were  spurred  on 
to  exertion  by  the  offer  of  high  reward  (1  Sam.  xvii.  25 ;  2  Sam.  xviii.  11  ;  1  Chron. 
xi.  6)."  Smith's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  word  War.  The  same  remarks  apply  to 
the  other  nations  of  antiquity  not  less  than  to  the  Jews.  See  Smith's  Dictionary 
of  Greek  and  Roman  Antiquities,  word  Exercitus. 

2  In  the  ancient  phalanx  a  reverse  was  never  provided  for.    See  New  American 
Cyclopedia,  Vol.  II,  page  129. 

3  To  take  an  example:  In  2  Chron.  xiii  is  an  account  of  Abijah's  victory  over 
Jeroboam.     It.  is  said  that  Abijah  had  "an  army  of  valiant  men  of  war,  —  even 
four  hundred  thousand  chosen  men;"  and  that  Jeroboam  had  "  eight  hundred 
thousand  chosen  men,  being  mighty  men  of  valor."    They  fought  with  the  ani- 
mosity of  parties  to  a  civil  war,  and  with  the  desperation  and  stubbornness  charac- 
teristic of  their  nation.     The  result  was,  that  of  Jeroboam's  men  five  hundred 
thousand  were  slain  in  the  hand-to-hand  contest  and  subsequent  rout.     If  now, 
through  the  mode  of  ancient  notation,  these  numbers  are  here  overstated,  the 
error  equally  affects  each  enumeration,  so  that  the  proportions  remain  the  same. 
That  is  to  say,  one  army  was  twice  the  size  of  the  other,  and  five-eighths  of  thd 
larger  army  were  destroyed.    With  this  compare  the  statement  that  in  Caesar's 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

in  our  modern  statistics,  hardly  appears  at  all  in  the  ancient 
military  narratives. 

"  The  Greeks  attached  great  importance  to  the  recovery  of  the 
bodies  of  the  dead.  Hence  we  find  in  the  account  of  almost  every 
battle  particular  mention  of  negotiations  between  the  opposing 
commanders  on  that  subject.  The  sending  of  a  herald  for  the 
recovery  of  the  dead  was  an  acknowledgment  of  defeat,  but  the 
general  who  should  have  suffered  them  to  remain  with  the  enemy, 
would  have  received  more  censure  at  home  for  so  doing  than  for 
his  failure  in  obtaining  the  victory.  On  one  memorable  occasion, 
even  when  a  naval  victory  was  obtained,  the  triumphant  com- 
manders were  voted  to  be  put  to  death  for  their  neglect,  in  not 
recovering  the  dead  bodies  from  some  of  the  sinking  ships.  The 
minuteness  with  which  their  writers  dwell  on  this  matter  shows 
that  they  would  have  been  equally  explicit  on  other  things,  had 
there  been  the  same  grounds  of  reason  and  fact.  Their  bodies 
were  carried  home  (if  it  could  be  done),  and  solemn  funeral 
orations  were  delivered  on  the  occasions.  These  are  strongly 
called  to  mind  by  the  proceedings  at  Gettysburg,  where  we 
seemed  to  come  nearer  to  the  old  Greek  modes  of  thinking  than 
at  any  other  point  of  our  military  history.  Mr.  Everett's  ora- 
tion there,  and  Mr.  Lincoln's  short  but  most  pathetic  address, 
were  equal  to  anything  ever  delivered  on  such  occasions  by 
Pericles  or  Isocrates.1 

great  victory  over  the  Nervii,  out  of  an  army  of  sixty  thousand  warriors  the  con- 
queror slew  all  except  five  hundred.  (See  Smith's  History  of  the  World,  Vol.  Ill, 
p.'  216).  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  add  the  following  note  from  the  Annotated  Para- 
graph Bible  (London  Eeligious  Tract  Society's  octavo  edition),  page  516:  — "  With 
reference  to  the  numbers  of  armies  mentioned  in  the  (Biblical)  history,  which 
appear  sometimes  exceedingly  large,  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  in  Eastern  nations 
every  person  capable  of  bearing  arms  was  compelled  to  join  the  host  when  the 
monarch  pleased  ;  that  oriental  sovereigns  seem  to  have  prided  themselves  on  the 
numbers  rather  than  the  discipline  of  their  troops;  and  that  the  enumeration 
probably  often  includes  the  followers  of  the  camp,  who  in  the  East  are  sometimes 
far  more  numerous  than  those  armed  for  battle."  (See  Kitto's  Cyclopedia  of  Bibli- 
cal Literature,  word  War.) 

1  In  illustration  of  Prof.  Lewis's  statements  it  may  be  proper  to  refer  more  fully 
to  the  Athenian  custom  of  giving  public  funerals  to  her  soldiers,  as  shown  by  the 
example  at  the  close  of  the  first  year  of  the  Peloponnesian  war:  "According  to 


A   GLANCE   BACKWARD.  23 

"  But,  as  I  said  before,  they  did  make  provision  for  the  wounded, 
sometimes  in  the  general  poor  laws  (which  the  Greek  States, 
Athens  certainly,  maintained  as  part  of  their  standing  policy, 
although  I  am  aware  that  this  has  been  denied),  and  sometimes 
by  special  provision.  It  was  not  only  in  their  hypothetical  or 
Utopian  writings,  —  such  as  Plato's  treatise  De  Legibm,  where  he 
lays  down  a  system  of  legislation  for  a  fancied  State,  but  in  their 
actual  polity.  We  find  express  mention  of  it  among  the  actual 
laws  of  Solon.1  It  was  also  provided  by  the  regulations  of  Pisis- 
tratus,  —  tyrant  though  he  was  called.  In  the  article  ddwarot 
("  the  disabled")  Suidas  speaks  of  as  many  as  five  hundred  each 
day  being  thus  taken  care  of  at  the  public  expense.  That  would 
be  thought  a  small  number  now,  but  it  was  actually  large  for 
those  times,  and  it  was  regarded  as  a  consequence  of  the  long  and 
severe  Peloponnesian  war.  It  is  stated  in  one  place2  that  the 
(disabled)  received  two  oboli  a  day,  —  a  sum  doubtless 


the  annual  custom  of  Athens,  the  soldiers  who  had  fallen  in  the  campaigns  of 
this  summer  were  honored  with  a  splendid  public  funeral  and  a  monument  in  the 
suburb  called  the  Ccramicus  (the  Potter's  Quarter).  Their  children  were  educated 
at  the  public  expense,  and  when  the  sons  came  to  the  military  age  they  received 
a  suit  of  armor,  and  were  presented  to  the  people  on  the  stage  at  the  Dionysia 
(feast  of  Bacchus).  The  Greek  religion  required  a  strict  performance  of  funeral 
rites,  till  which  the  shades  of  the  dead  were  supposed  to  wander  around  the  abode 
of  Hades,  forbidden  to  pass  the  waters  of  the  Styx.  For  this  reason,  as  well  as  not 
to  leave  such  trophies  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  the  utmost  importance  was 
attached  to  the  recovery  of  the  bodies  of  those  who  fell  in  battle.  They  were  burnt 
upon  the  field,  and  their  bones  were  carried  home  for  the  public  funeral.  Two 
days  before  the  ceremony  the  remains  were  laid  in  state  before  a  tent,  whither  the 
relatives  brought  their  offerings.  At  the  time  of  the  funeral,  the  bones  were  placed 
in  coffers  of  cypress  wood,  one  for  every  tribe,  and  borne  forth  on  cars,  followed  by 
an  empty  bier  covered  with  a  pall,  representing  those  who  were  not  found  at  the 
taking  up  of  the  dead.  Every  resident  in  Athens  who  pleased,  whether  citizen  or 
foreigner,  joined  in  the  procession,  and  the  tomb  was  surrounded  by  wailing 
women,  the  relatives  of  the  deceased.  When  at  last  they  were  deposited  in  the 
ground,  a  man,  appointed  to  the  office  for  his  intelligence  and  worth,  mounted  a 
lofty  platform  and  pronounced  their  eulogy,  and  so  the  people  were  dismissed. 
On  this  occasion  the  funeral  oration  was  by  Pericles;  and  the  report  of  it  in  the 
pages  of  Thucydides  forms  one  of  the  most  remarkable  remains  of  the  literature 
of  any  people."—  History  of  the  World,  by  Philip  Smith,  Vol.  I,  p.  497. 

1  See  Plutarch,  Life  of  Solon,  sec.  31. 

2  Harpocration,  on  the  word  Mva-ni. 


24  .     INTRODUCTION. 

sufficient  for  them,  though  I  have  not  sufficient  financial  or  statis- 
tical knowledge  to  judge  of  its  value  as  compared  with  our  pres- 
ent values  and  present  standards  of  money.  There  is  a  good  deal 
said  on  this  subject  in  one  of  the  orations  of  Lysias,  made  on 
behalf  of  a  wounded  soldier  who  claimed  this  public  bounty  or 
pension.  The  orator  aims  to  show  that  the  plaintiff  was  entitled 
to  it,  though  he  carried  on  at  the  same  time  a  trade  by  which  he 
might  be  maintained.  It  was  enough,  as  the  speaker  contends, 
that  he  was  disabled  in  his  country's  service,  and  had  to  go  on 
crutches.  We  learn  from  an  oration  of  JEschines  that  there  was 
a  regular  examination  of  candidates  for  this  bounty,  and  that  it 
was  conducted  in  public  by  the  council  of  Five  Hundred  (or  the 
Athenian  Senate),  —  most  probably  by  a  committee  appointed  by 
that  body.  This  is  enough  to  show  that  it  was  a  standing  pro- 
vision, guarded  by  careful  and  judicious  regulation. 

"Aristotle1  describes  Hippodamus,  an  ancient  philanthropist, 
and  one  who,  if  what  he  says  of  him  be  true,  would  be  thought 
an  excellent  philanthropist  now.  He  proposed  a  great  many 
public  improvements, — among  other  things,  the  offering  of 
rewards  to  inventors  of  anything  useful  to  the  State  or  to  society. 
This  man  introduced  a  pension  law,  making  provision  for  the 
children  of  those  who  had  been  wounded  or  slain  in  battle.  The 
philosopher  speaks  of  it  as  something  which  had  not  before  been 
done ;  though  he  adds  (immediately  afterwards)  that  '  such  is  the 
law  now, — not  only  in  Athens,  but  in  other  Grecian  States.'  From 
what  Aristotle  says  of  him,  this  man  Hippodamus,  had  he  lived 
in  the  days  of  St.  Peter,  might  have  been  a  Cornelius;  or  had  he 
heard  St.  Paul,  might  have  believed,  like  Dionysius  the  Areopagite. 
At  least  so  I  love  to  think,  and  to  indulge  the  idea  that  in  those 
days  of  war  and  corruption  and  selfishness  there  may  have  been 
other  men  like  him,  whom  the  day  of  judgment  will  bring  to 
light, — men  doing  good  and  serving  God  according  to  the 
measure  of  their  knowledge.  They  would  have  belonged  to  the 
old  Christian  Commissions,  had  there  been  any  such.  His  great 
worth  has  been  obscured  in  the  political  clamor  and  political 

1  In  his  Politico.,  Book  II,  ch.  v. 


A   GLANCE   BACKWAKD.  25 

corruption  which  surrounded  him,  just  as  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion at  the  present  day  is  ignored  by  the  rabble  of  hungry  politi- 
cians ;  but  there  is  a  record  kept  of  such  men  elsewhere,  and  I 
rejoice  to  think  that  perhaps  there  were  more  of  them  in  ancient 
times  than  we  may  imagine.  He  seems  to  have  been  appreciated 
by  the  great  philosopher,  who  has  left  this  casual  mention  of 
him,  and  thereby  rescued  him  from  unmerited  oblivion.'' 

The  statements  and  illustrations  of  Professor  Lewis  are  appli- 
cable, with  little  modification,  to  the  entire  period  of  ancient 
history.  The  Romans  had  more  organization  in  military  affairs 
than  the  Greeks,  but  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  better  care 
was  taken  of  the  men.  That  depended  upon  the  personal  char- 
acter of  the  emperor  or  commander.  It  was  a  law  of  war 
that  the  victor  was  absolute  master  of  the  vanquished.  This 
gave  desperation  to  the  contest,  and  subjected  those  who  were 
overcome  to  indiscriminate  and  universal  slaughter,  unless  the 
conqueror  was  pleased  to  substitute  slavery  for  death.1  "  The 
treatment  of  the  conquered  was  extremely  severe  in  ancient  times. 
The  leaders  of  the  host  were  put  to  death  (Josh.  x.  26 ;  Judg. 
vii.  25),  with  the  occasional  indignity  of  decapitation  after  death 
(1  Sam.  xvii.  51).  The  bodies  of  the  soldiers  killed  in  action 
were  plundered  (1  Sam.  xxxi.  8);  the  survivors  were  either  killed 
in  some  savage  manner  (Judg.  ix.  45 ;  2  Sam.  xii.  31 ;  2  Chron. 
xxv.  12),  mutilated  (Judg.  i.  6 ;  1  Sam.  xi.  2),  or  carried  into 
captivity  (Num.  xxxi.  26 ;  Deut.  xx.  13, 14).  Women  and  chil- 
dren were  occasionally  put  to  death  with  the  greatest  barbarity 

1  "If  we  consider  the  maxims  of  war  which  prevailed  in  the  ancient  world,  and 
which  still  prevail  in  many  barbarous  nations,  we  perceive  that  those  who  sur- 
vived the  fury  of  the  battle  and  the  insolence  of  victory,  were  only  reserved  for  more 
durable  calamities;  swept  into  hopeless  captivity,  exposed  in  markets,  or  plunged 
in  mines,  with  the  melancholy  distinction  bestowed  on  princes  and  warriors, — 
after  appearing  in  the  triumphal  procession  of  the  conqueror, — of  being  conducted 
to  death.  The  contemplation  of  such  scenes  as  these  forces  on  us  this  awful  reflec- 
tion, that  neither  the  fury  of  wild  beasts,  the  concussions  of  the  earth,  nor  the 
violence  of  tempests,  are  to  be  compared  to  the  ravages  of  arms:  and  that  nature 
in  her  utmost  extent,  or,  more  properly,  divine  justice  in  its  utmost  severity,  has 
supplied  no  enemy  to  man  so  terrible  as  man."  —  Robert  Hall's  Sermon  Reflections 
cm  War. 

4 


26  INTRODUCTION. 

(2  Kings  viii.  12;  Isa.  xiii.  16;  Hos.  x.  14;  Nah.  iii.  10);  but 
it  was  more  usual  to  retain  the  maidens  as  concubines  or  servants 
(Judg.  v.  30 ;  2  Kings  v.  2)." 1  "  In  the  case  of  war  carried  on 
for  conquest  or  revenge  there  were  but  two  modes  of  dealing 
with  the  captives,  viz.,  putting  them  to  death  or  reducing  them 
to  slavery."2  The  Jewish  laws  and  usages  of  war,  as  to  the 
slaughter  and  enslavement  of  captives  and  prisoners,  were  less 
severe  than  those  of  contemporary  nations,  or  of  the  Greeks  and 
Romans.  "  That  the  vanquished  in  war  become  the  property  of 
the  victors,"  says  Aristotle,  "  is  acknowledged  to  be  law." 3 

A  recent  writer  says,  that  in  the  Roman  armies  the  soldiers 
were  accustomed  to  assist  each  other  in  their  sicknesses  and  wounds ; 
and  that  the  Emperor  Aurelian  (A.  D.  270),  according  to  Flavins 
Vopiscus,  commanded  this  practice  by  a  special  proclamation, 
and  continually  urged  its  observance  upon  his  subordinate 
officers.4 

The  following  clear  summary  may  be  presented  at  this  point:  — 
"  Military  surgery  was  formerly  but  little  understood,  and  those 
who  were  wounded  on  the  field  were  left  to  the  care  of  those 
around  them,  without  any  selection  of  fit  or  unfit  persons  for  the 
duties  of  surgery.  The  wounded  soldier  had  to  implore  the  aid 
of  friends  or  strangers,  as  the  case  might  be,  or  go  unheeded 
because  no  one  could  attend  to  him.  Still,  it  often  happened  that 
from  habit  and  necessity  some  persons  became  more  or  less  skill- 
ful in  dressing  wounds  on  the  field;  and  as  in  former  times, 
before  the  invention  of  gunpowder,  the  common  run  of  wounds 
was  made  by  swords,  daggers,  and  sharp  instruments,  or  by  dull 
weapons  causing  contusions,  no  great  skill  was  necessary  to  dress 
such  wounds,  and  hence  little  attention  was  paid  to  the  medical 
or  surgical  requirements  of  the  army."5 

During  the  Middle  Ages,  while  the  Roman  Empire  was  being 

1  Smith's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  word  War.  *  Ibid.,  word  Slave. 

3  See  Smith's   Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman  Antiquities,  word   Serous  ;  also 
Writings  of  Professor  B.  B.  Edwards,  Vol.  II,  Essays  on  Ancient  Slavery. 

4  La  Charitc  Internationale  sur  les  Champs  de  Bataille.     Paris,  1865.     See  page  93. 

5  New  American  Cyclopedia,  word  Ambulance. 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  27 

broken  up,  and  the  modern  nations  of  Europe  were  being  con- 
structed from  the  ruins,  society  was  in  a  chaotic  state.  Wars, 
petty  or  large,  were  universally  and  continually  prevalent.  Ir- 
ruptions of  barbarians,  contests  of  rival  and  envious  kings  or 
feudal  chiefs,  the  attempted  and  often  successful  subjugation  of 
hated  "heretics"  by  so-called  "holy  alliances,"  the  crusades, — 
all  these  filled  the  earth  with  turmoil  and  desolation.  Chris- 
tianity had  little  direct  influence  in  the  management  of  political 
affairs,  and  though  its  name  was  often  invoked  its  power  was 
seldom  manifest  in  the  struggles  for  empire  and  dominion.  War 
was  the  pastime  of  the  noble  and  the  trade  of  the  peasant,  until 
the  armies  of  Europe  became  bands  of  mercenaries  led  by  adven- 
turers, often  fighting  against  their  native  country.1 

In  the  rampant  disorder,  rivalry,  and  greed,  "  discipline  as  a 
science  had  almost  disappeared.  It  is  not  remarkable  that  with 
all  other  organizations  the  medical  department  should  have  fallen 
into  decay.  The  fate  of  the  sick  and  wounded  was  hardly  better 
than  that  of  prisoners ;  those  who  could  not  crawl  from  the  field 
were  generally  put  to  the  sword  by  the  victorious  army,  whose 
own  wounded  did  not  experience  a  much  better  fate."  .... 
"  The  Abbe  Suger,  State  Minister  and  historian  of  Louis  the 
Fat,  in  the  eleventh  and  twelfth  centuries,  says  that  '  as  many  as 
pns.-ible  of  the  wounded  were  carried  off  in  litters;  those  who 
could  not  be  removed  were  left  as  a  prey  to  the  wolves.'  "2 

1  "  The  command  of  money  was  the  command  of  armed  hirelings,  more  sure 
and  steady  in  battle,  as  we  must  confess  with  shame,  than  the  patriot  citizen." 
"  The  use  of  mercenary  troops  prevailed  much  in  Germany  during  the  thirteenth 
century.  In  Italy  it  was  also  very  common;  though  its  general  adoption  is  to  be 
referred  to  the  commencement  of  the  succeeding  age."  —  Hallam's  Middle  Ages, 
ch.  II,  Part  ii. 

"The  long  duration  of  the  Italian  wars  that  commenced  with  the  invasion  of 
Naples,  brought  a  species  of  troops  into  the  field  that  must  have  been  formidable 
enough  to  the  countries  in  which  they  fought,  whatever  they  may  have  been  to 
the  enemies  against  whom  they  contended.  These  were  the  so-called  aventuriers, — 
volunteers,  —  adventurers,  in  fact,  who  took  the  field  in  bands,  under  leaders  of 
their  own  election,  and  served  without  pay,  satisfied  with  the  booty  they  could 
collect."  —  Biographies  of  Eminent  Soldiers,  by  Major-General  John  Mitchell. 
Edited  by  Leonhard  Schmitz.  London,  1865.  See  page  331. 

*  Army  and  Navy  Journal,  Aug.  6,  1864. 


28  INTRODUCTION. 

There  were  occasional  and  slight  gleams  through  the  general 
darkness  of  the  scene, — incidental  and  temporary  alleviations  of 
the  prevalent  rapacity,  cruelty,  and  neglect.  The  indirect  influ- 
ence of  Christianity,  however  corrupt  and  weakened,  was  con- 
siderable, and  it  was  often  successful  in  securing  consideration 
for  the  common  people,  and  in  mitigating  the  horrors  of  war. 
Chivalry  did  something  in  the  same  direction,  and  there  are  noble 
instances  on  record  of  individual  eiforts  for  the  help  of  the  help- 
less, including  the  victims  of  war. 

Leo  VI,  Emperor  of  the  East,  toward  the  end  of  the  ninth 
century,  gave  instructions  to  his  generals  to  provide  assistants  for 
the  removal  and  care  of  the  wounded,  after  an  engagement.  A 
reward  was  given  to  them  for  each  warrior  they  saved.  These 
assistants  were  soldiers  selected  from  the  several  cohorts,  were 
not  armed,  in  the  movements  of  the  army  they  occupied  conve- 
nient places  for  their  work,  and  were  furnished  with  simple  means 
for  the  immediate  relief  of  those  who  became  disabled. 

The  famous  sultan  Saladin  (A.  D.  1190),  whose  magnanimity 
and  valor  are  alike  extolled,  is  said  by  the  historians  of  the 
crusades  to  have  shown  a  generosity  toward  the  wounded  of  his 
enemies,  worthy  of  a  Christian  prince  in  modern  times. 

The  charitable  orders  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  ready 
to  minister  to  suffering  anywhere,  were  frequently  employed  in 
the  care  of  soldiers.  Women,  sometimes  of  noble  birth,  gave 
themselves  to  lives  of  benevolence  and  activity  among  the  needy 
and  afflicted.  Several  of  the  Sisterhoods  still  in  existence  had 
their  origin  thus,  as,  for  example,  those  which  began  with  some 
of  the  followers  of  Vincent  de  Paul.1  The  "convents  were 
expected  to  take  charge  of  the  sick  and  wounded  who  could 
reach  their  gates.  At  one  time  every  convent  in  the  kingdom 
(of  France)  was  bound,  indeed,  to  maintain  an  invalid  soldier."2 

The  military  orders  or  Knights  gave  themselves,  more  or  less, 
to  the  same  service, — at  least  among  their  own  members.  The 

1  See  Mrs.  Jameson's  Sisters  of  Charity  ;  J.  M.  Ludlow's  Woman's  Work  in  the 
Church  ;  Chastel's  Charity  of  the  Primitive  Churches. 

2  General  Mitchell's  Eminent  Soldiers,  p.  336. 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  29 

Knights  Templars  and  the  Knights  Hospitallers  (or  Knights  of 
St.  John  of  Jerusalem,  afterwards  of  Rhodes  and  of  Malta)  were, 
according  to  Milman,  "  aristocratic  brotherhoods,  which  hardly 
deigned  to  receive,  at  least  in  their  high  places,  any  but  those  of 
gentle  birth."1  But  their  chivalry  manifested  itself  in  the  care 
of  the  sick  and  wounded,  during  the  pilgrimages  and  in  the  con- 
tests  with  the  infidels.2  It  is  moreover  a  singular  historical  fact, 
that  the  kingdom  of  Prussia  had  its  origin  in  a  voluntary  asso- 
ciation of  patriotic  citizens  for  the  relief  of  suffering  soldiers. 
During  the  crusade  against  Saladin,  in  which  Frederick  Barba- 
rossu,  Emperor  of  Germany,  was  drowned,  and  his  death  followed 
by  great  disaster,  the  army  was  wasting  away  with  disease  and 
famine  before  Acre,  in  Syria  (A.  D.  1190).  Certain  of  the  first 
citizens  of  Lubeck  and  Bremen,  merchant  traders,  saw  the  dis- 
tresses of  their  countrymen.  They  at  once  formed  themselves 
into  a  relief  corps.  The  sails  of  their  ships  were  taken  off,  and 
made  into  tents  and  pavilions,  under  the  shelter  of  which  they 
received  and  cared  for  the  sick.  They  were  joined  and  assisted 
by  the  brethren  of  a  German  hospital,  which  had  been  before 
founded  in  Jerusalem.  From  this  beginning  arose  the  German 
or  Teutonic  Order  of  Knights,  —  known  as  the  Teutonic  Order 
of  St.  Mary.  Their  first  house  was  at  Acre.  They  soon  became 
as  aristocratic  and  exclusive  as  the  other  military  orders, — save 
that,  in  remembrance  of  their  origin,  the  citizens  of  Lubeck  and 
Bremen  were  eligible  to  membership.  No  other  plebeians  were 
admitted.  In  process  of  time,  through  the  favor  of  popes  and 
princes,  and  by  their  own  good  swords,  the  Teutonic  Knights 
became  sovereigns  of  Prussia.3 

1  Milman's  Latin  Christianity,  Eiverside  ed.,  Vol.  VI,  p.  535. 

2  A  private  letter  from  Mr.  J.  M.  Ludlow  contains  the  suggestion,  that  "  among 
the  original  duties  of  the  Hospitallers  of  St.  John  was  that  of  succoring  the  sick 
and  wounded  on  the  pilgrimage  to  the  Holy  Land,  and  afterwards  in  the  wars 
against  the  heathen."    Also  that  the  Sisters  of  Charity  "were  sent  to  the  French 
armies  at  a  comparatively  early  period  of  their  existence,  and  (with  probahly 
an  interval  during  the  First  Revolution)  have  continued  to  be  employed  in  them 
ever  since."    On  the  first  point  see  Charitc  Internationale*  p.  116 ;  Marmont's  Spirit 
of  Military  Institutions,  Coppee's  ed.,  p.  132. 

3  President  Anderson,  of  the  University  of  Rochester,  called  attention  to  this 


30  INTRODUCTION. 

The  introduction  of  gunpowder,  in  the  thirteenth  century, 
wrought  a  great  revolution  in  everything  pertaining  to  warfare, 
and  inaugurated  vast  changes  in  the  political  and  social  world.1 
The  necessity  of  discipline  and  military  tactics  very  soon  became 
apparent.  Skill  and  intelligence  took  the  place  of  brute  force 
among  the  requisites  of  a  good  soldier.  War  became  a  profession, 
in  a  higher  sense  of  the  term.  The  modern  ideas  of  national 
unity  and  international  interests  began  to  work,  however  dimly 
and  feebly.  The  common  soldier  began  to  be  recognized  as  a 
man,  entitled  to  consideration  and  care,  and  self-interest  combined 
with  humanity  to  compel  such  recognition.  It  was  truer  economy 
to  care  for  the  trained  soldier  than  to  allow  him  to  perish  from 
neglect.2  All  those  influences  which  wrought  the  destruction  of 
feudalism,  abolished  slavery,  liberated  the  serfs,  created  a  middle 
class  in  society,  diffused  intelligence,  and  purified  religion,  ope- 
rated also  to  elevate  the  position  of  the  soldier,  and  this  elevation 
was  manifest  in  the  attention  to  his  welfare  when  sick  or  wounded. 
The  progress  was  slow,  and  there  were  many  eddies  and  ebbs 


historical  curiosity,  and  transmitted  an  interesting  note  from  Roux  de  Rochelle's 
work  on  the  Hanseatic  League,  which  has  been,  in  substance,  incorporated  into  the 
text.  See  also  the  account  in  Mihnan's  Latin  Christianity,  Vol.  VI.  p.  535. 

1  These  changes  were  slow  at  first.    It  was  two  hundred  years  from  the  time  that 
gunpowder  was  known  in  Europe  before  firearms  were  employed  in  battle  with 
any  effect.     Even  then  we  read  of  muskets  that  it  required  a  quarter  of  an  hour 
to  charge   and  fire,  and  that   had  to  be  supported   upon   rests.      See    Hallam's 
Middle  Ages,  ch.  3.     There  was  a  strong  professional  prejudice  amongst  military 
leaders  against  the  new  agent  of  destruction.     It  was  of  decidedly  democratic 
tendencies,  and  threatened  to  destroy  all  distinctions  of  rank:  —  making  it  quite 
possible  that  the  feudal  lord,  or  even  the  emperor,  might  fall  by  the  bullet  of  the 
peasant.     Sometimes,  as  in  wars  between  Europeans  and  Turks,  the  old  and  new 
modes  of  warfare  came  into  competition,  and  not  always  to  the  success  of  the  new. 
See  Mitchell's  Biographies,  pp.  208,  240,  etc. 

2  To  quote  a  modern  instance:  When  the  British  troops  were  suffering  in  the 
Crimea,  the  correspondent  of  The  London  Times   wrote  from  Balaklava,  "  What 
has  been  the  cost  to  the  country  of  the  men  of  the  Brigade  of  Guards  who  died  in 
their  tents  or  in  hospital  of  exhaustion,  overwork,  and  deficient  or  improper  nutri- 
ment ?     It  would  have  been  cheap  to  have  fed  these  men  who  are  gone  on  turtle 
and  venison,  if  it  could  have  kept  them  alive,  and  not  only  those,  but  the  poor 
fellows  whom  the  battle  spared,  but  whom  disease  has  taken  from  us  out  of  every 
regiment  in  the  expedition." — The  War,  by  W.  H.  Russell,  p.  346. 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  31 

in  the  current,  but  on  the  whole  the  advance  has  been  con- 
stant. 

The  wounds  produced  by  firearms  were  more  serious  and  com- 
plicated than  by  the  old  style  of  missiles,  requiring  more  surgical 
skill  to  manage  them  and  more  prompt  attention  to  prevent  them 
f'rorn  endangering  the  life  of  the  soldier.  But  we  find  no  trace  of 
a  regularly  organized  system  of  military  hospitals  until  the  time 
of  Henry  IV,  of  France,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury.  The  system  then  introduced  was  very  imperfect,  and 
received,  little  or  no  improvement  before  the  end  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  The  first  flying  ambulance  (or  flying  hospital)  was 
established  by  Larrey,  in  the  army  of  Custine,  in  1792.1 

A  pleasant  incident  is  told  of  the  Catholic  Queen  Isabella  of 
Spain,  that  during  the  siege  of  Granada  (A.  D.  1492)  she  caused 
six  large  tents  to  be  fitted  up  with  beds,  and  called  for  surgeons 
and  physicians  to  assist  the  wounded  and  sick.  The  soldiers  of 
Aragon  and  Castile  gave  to  this  establishment,  the  first  of  its 
kind,  the  name  of  the  "Queen's  Hospital."2 

Toward  the  middle  and  during  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  the  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded  was  sometimes  made 
the  subject  of  specific  stipulations  between  the  commanders  of 
opposing  armies.  Several  instances  of  this  kind  are  on  record, — 
as  in  1743  between  the  parties  to  the  war  of  the  Austrian  Succes- 
sion ;  in  1 759  between  England  and  France,  in  Flanders ;  in  the 
same  year  between  Louis  XV  of  France  and  Frederick  the  Great 
of  Prussia;  in  1800  between  the  French  and  Austrians.  These 
instances  are  more  fully  related  in  La  Charitt  Internationale. 
As  illustrating  them  all,  the  agreement  last  referred  to  may  be 
given.  During  the  war  which  raged  for  a  long  time  in  the  valley 
of  the  Danube,  it  was  agreed  between  the  French  General  Moreau 
and  the  Austrian  General  Kray  that  the  wounded  should  be 
cared  for  by  both  sides,  and  that  after  their  recovery  they  should 
be  returned  freely  to  their  respective  corps.  The  following  arti- 

1  New  Am.  Cyc.,  word  Ambulance;  La  CharM  Internationale,  p.  95;  Mitchell's 
Biographies,  p.  336. 
«  La  Charite,  p.  94. 


32  INTRODUCTION. 

cles,  suggested  to  Moreau  by  his  surgeon-in-chief,  the  illustrious 
Percy,  were  adopted  as  a  basis  of  mutual  action  :  — 

"  Wishing  to  diminish  as  much  as  possible  the  misfortunes  of 
war  and  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  soldiers  wounded  in  battle, 
the  two  Generals  have  agreed  upon  these  points : 

"  1st.  The  hospitals  shall  be  considered  as  sacred  asylums. 

"  2d.  The  location  of  the  hospitals  shall  be  plainly  indicated, 
so  that  the  soldiers  may  readily  recognize  them. 

"  3d.  Each  army  is  charged  with  the  care  of  these  hospitals, 
even  after  having  lost  the  country  in  which  they  are  situated. 

"  4th.  The  armies  will  favor  and  protect,  mutually,  the  service 
of  the  hospitals  in  the  countries  which  they  shall  occupy. 

"  5th.  The  soldiers,  when  recovered,  shall  be  sent  back  to  their 
respective  armies  with  escort  and  safeguard." 

The  following  interesting  account  of  Percy's  endeavor  to  estab- 
lish a  permanent  relief  corps  in  the  French  army,  cited  from  La 
Charite,  will  show  the  spirit  of  the  noble  man  and  devoted  sur- 
geon. "  Worn  out,"  he  says,  "  with  the  disorders  springing  up 
continually  from  the  disgusting  assemblage  of  famished  and  vaga- 
bond nurses ;  disheartened  by  the  neglect  of  my  requests ;  sorely 
grieved  at  seeing  so  great  a  number  of  soldiers  die  upon  the  fields 
of  battle,  whose  lives  might  have  been  saved  and  whose  limbs 
might  have  been  preserved  by  the  aid  of  some  convenient  and 
well-organized  method  of  transportation,  and  seeing  also  that  it- 
was  necessary  to  have,  as  near  as  possible  to  the  lines  of  battle, 
men  expressly  designated  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded,  rather 
than  leave  this  care  to  the  soldiers  (who  too  often  seized  such  an 
opportunity  to  desert  the  ranks),  I  took  it  upon  me  to  organize  a 
regular  corps  of  soldier-nurses,  to  whom  I  gave  the  name  of  the 
'Corps  of  Stretcher-Bearers'  (Compagnie  de  Brancardiers).  I 
chose  one  hundred  soldiers  from  among  the  most  courageous, 
strongest,  and  most  skillful.  I  had  them  uniformed,  and  as  soon 
as  they  were  completely  equipped  I  put  them  at  work.  Very 
soon  the  condition  of  the  wounded  and  sick,  before  so  neglected 
and  abandoned,  was  entirely  changed. 

"  Every  one  applauded  my  institution,"  adds  Percy.     "  I  made 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  33 

a  report  to  the  authorities  of  the  success  obtained  and  of  serv  !<•<•- 
rendered.  From  Madrid,  where  I  then  was,  I  sent  to  Paris,  as 
a  specimen  and  proof  of  the  work,  a  detachment  of  this  new  kind 
of  troop,  —  which  I  had  clothed  and  equipped  without  a  penny's 
expense  to  the  government.  But  instead  of  thanking  me,  they 
blamed  me.  My  squad  was  ordered  to  return  forthwith  to  Mad- 
rid, and  the  company  was  disbanded.  Fortunately  it  had  existed 
long  enough  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  chief  men  of  the  State,  and 
my  project,  postponed  from  political  considerations,  was  definitely 
adopted  by  a  decree  of  1813." 

As  further  indicating  the  growing  spirit  of  humanity  and  dis- 
cipline, it  is  stated  that  in  May,  1809,  when  the  French  army, 
by  the  retreat  from  Oporto,  was  forced  to  leave  its.  wounded,  Sir 
Arthur  Wellesley,  afterwards  Duke  of  Wellington,  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  English  and  Portuguese  forces,  asked  the  French 
to  send  surgeons  to  take  care  of  their  abandoned  sick.  He 
granted  safe  conducts  for  the  coming  and  returning  of  the  physi- 
cians who  were  chosen  for  this  purpose. 

During  the  war  of  the  American  Revolution,  it  does  not  appear 
that  in  its  arrangements  for  the  care  and  comfort  of  the  soldiers 
our  army  was  at  all  in  advance  of  the  armies  of  Europe  at  the 
same  period.  It  is  perhaps  impossible  to  convey  a  just  impres- 
sion of  all  the  facts  respecting  that  wonderful  contest.  The  phy- 
sical dimensions  of  the  war,  excepting  its  duration,  were  so  small 
when  compared  with  its  political  importance  or  with  our  recent 
armies ;  the  patriotic  wisdom  and  devotion  of  Washington  and 
his  worthy  coadjutors  were  so  constant  and  admirable;  there  were 
so  much  military  genius  and  genuine  soldiership  displayed,  in 
maintaining  the  conflict  so  long  and  so  successfully  against  a  foe 
thoroughly  trained,  equipped,  and  fed ;  there  was  so  much  of  the 
loftiest  heroism  in  the  army  and  among  all  classes  of  the  people ; 
and  especially  the  results  were  so  fruitful  in  national  prosperity ; 
—  that  our  traditions  have  instinctively  rejected  all  that  it  is 
ungrateful  or  humiliating  to  remember,  and  we  are  unwilling  or 
unable  to  recall  the  apathy,  shortsightedness,  dissensions,  delays, 

5 


34  INTRODUCTION. 

jealousies,  and  cruel  neglect,  that  were  abundantly  exhibited,  alike 
in  Congress,  the  army,  and  the  country.  Only  the  goodness  of 
God  and  the  blindness  of  our  enemies  saved  us  from  destruction, 
and  that  not  once  nor  twice.  The  entire  population  of  the  coun- 
try (3,929,827  in  1790)  was  at  that  time  scarcely  more  than  the 
population  of  the  State  of  New  York  at  present  (3,831,777  in 
1865).  The  whole  number  of  Continental  soldiers  employed 
during  the  war  was  231,791.  The  enlistments  were  mainly  for 
short  periods,  and  the  war  was  half  over  before  anything  worthy 
the  name  of  discipline  had  been  established  among  the  troops. 
This  is  not  the  place  to  detail  the  causes  which  led  to  the  priva- 
tions and  sufferings  of  the  army  of  the  Revolution.  "  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  speak  of  their  sufferings  and  privations  without  at  least  an 
appearance  of  exaggeration ;  and  yet  the  testimony  is  so  uniform, 
the  details  are  so  minute  and  so  authentic,  that  the  strongest 
coloring  would  fall  short  of  the  dark  reality.  These  sufferings 
began  with  the  beginning  of  the  war  and  continued  to  the  end  of 
it.  During  the  first  winter,  soldiers  thought  it  hard  that  they 
often  had  nothing  to  cook  their  food  with ;  but  they  found  before 
its  close  that  it  was  harder  still  to  have  nothing  to  cook.  Few 
Americans  had  ever  known  what  it  was  to  suffer  for  want  of 
clothing ;  but  thousands,  as  the  war  went  on,  saw  their  garments 
falling  by  piecemeal  from  around  them,  till  scarce  a  shred  re- 
mained to  cover  their  nakedness.  They  made  long  marches 
without  shoes,  staining  the  frozen  ground  with  the  blood  from 
their  feet.  They  fought  battles  with  guns  that  were  hardly  safe  to 
bear  a  half-charge  of  powder.  They  fought,  or  marched,  or  worked 
on  intrenchments  all  day,  and  laid  them  down  at  night  with  but 
one  blanket  to  three  men.  And  thus  in  rags,  without  shoes,  often 

without  bread,  they  fought  battles  and  won  campaigns The 

condition  of  the  officers  was  scarcely  better  than  that  of  the  men. 
They,  too,  had  suffered  cold  and  hunger;  they,  too,  had  been 
compelled  to  do  duty  without  sufficient  clothing ;  to  march  and 
watch  and  fight  without  sufficient  food.  We  are  told  of  a  dinner 
at  which  no  officer  was  admitted  who  had  a  whole  pair  of  panta- 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  35 

loons;  and  of  all  the  invited  there  was  not  one  who  did  not  fully 
establish  his  claims  to  admission."1 

We  are  familiar,  or  may  easily  be,  with  the  want  and  sufferings 
of  the  Continental  soldiers  at  Cambridge,  West  Point,  Morris- 
town,  Valley  Forge,  and  elsewhere,  during  successive  winters  of 
great  severity.  Let  us  recall,  as  an  example,  the  condition  of  the 
army  at  Valley  Forge,  in  the  winter  of  1777-'8.  The  whole 
number  of  troops  when  the  encampment  commenced, 'in  Decem- 
ber, was  11,098  ;  of  these,  2,898  were  unfit  for  duty.  "  Hunger 
and  nakedness  assailed  that  dreary  winter  camp  with  all  their 
progeny  of  disease  and  woe.  Thither  the  soldiers  came  with 
naked  and  bleeding  feet,  and  there  they  sat  down  where  destitu- 
tion held  court,  and  ruled  with  an  icy  sceptre.  The  prevalence 
of  Toryism  in  the  vicinity,  the  avaricious  peculations  of  some 
unprincipled  commissioners,  the  tardy  movements  of  Congress  in 
supplying  provisions,  and  the  close  proximity  of  a  powerful 
enemy,  combined  to  make  the  ^procurement  of  provisions  abso- 
lutely impracticable  without  a  resort  to  force.  But  few  horses 
were  in  camp,  and  such  was  the  deficiency,  in  this  respect,  for  the 
ordinary  as  well  as  the  extraordinary  occasions  of  the  army,  that 
the  men  in  many  instances  cheerfully  yoked  themselves  to  vehi- 
cles of  their  own  construction,  for  carrying  wood  and  provisions 
when  procured ;  while  others  performed  the  duty  of  pack  horses, 
and  carried  heavy  burdens  of  fuel  upon  their  backs.  As  the  win- 
ter advanced,  their  sufferings  increased.  On  the  16th  of  February, 
Washington  wrote  to  Governor  Clinton, '  For  some  days  past  there 
has  been  little  less  than  a  famine  in  the  camp.  A  part  of  the 
army  has  been  a  week  without  any  kind  of  flesh,  and  the  rest  three 
or  four  days/  'It  was  with  great  difficulty,'  says  Dr.  Thacher, 
1  that  men  enough  could  be  found  in  a  condition  fit  to  discharge 
the  military  camp  duties  from  day  to  day ;  and  for  this  purpose 
those  who  were  naked  borrowed  from  those  who  had  clothe-.'" 

While  the  soldiers  at  Valley  Forge  were  suffering  thus  in- 

1  Historical  View  of  the  American  Revolution,  by  George  Washington  Greene, 
pp.  235-237. 
*  Losing's  Field  Book  of  the  Revolution,  Vol.  II,  pp.  129,  130. 


36  INTRODUCTION. 

tensely,  Gen.  Putnam  gives  this  picture,  in  a  few  words,  of  what 
those  at  West  Point  were  enduring.  It  is  in  a  letter  to  Wash- 
ington, written  in  January,  1778.  He  says,  "Dubois's  regiment 
is  unfit  to  be  ordered  on  duty,  there  not  being  one  blanket  in  the 
regiment.  Very  few  have  either  a  shoe  or  a  shirt,  and  most  of 
them  have  neither  stockings,  breeches,  or  overalls.  Several  com- 
panies of  enlisted  artificers  are  in  the  same  situation,  and  unable 
to  work  in*  the  field."1 

Even  in  the  earlier  enthusiasm  of  1775,  when  the  little  army 
lay  at  Cambridge  and  the  English  were  in  Boston,  the  condition 
of  the  troops  was  hardly  more  comfortable.  Mr.  Greene,  in  his 
Historical  View,  p.  224,  says :  —  "  As  winter  advanced  their  suffer- 
ings increased.  They  suffered  from  want  of  clothing,  and  still 
more  from  want  of  wood.  Trees  were  cut  down,  fences  pulled 
up,  everything  that  could  be  made  to  burn  was  converted  into 
fuel ;  and  still,  hundreds  were  compelled  to  eat  their  food  raw. 
And  to  complete  the  picture,  I  must  reluctantly  add  that  those 
who  had  wood,  or  clothing,  or  provisions  to  sell,  asked  the  highest 
prices  and  demanded  the  promptest  payment." 

There  was  no  adequate  provision  by  government  for  the  care 
of  the  soldiers  in  active  service,  as  is  obvious  from  the  foregoing 
statements.  It  must  have  been  worse  with  the  sick  and  disabled. 
There  was  no  organization  of  voluntary  relief  and  assistance 
commensurate  with  the  necessities  of  the  case.  There  was  much 
noble  patriotism,  hearty  sympathy  and  readiness  to  share  every 
comfort  with  those  who  were  perilling  everything  and  enduring 
everything  for  the  country.  Temporary  relief  in  clothing  and 
food  was  frequently  provided,  especially  through  the  labors  of 
patriotic  ladies,  and  the  clergy  were  constant  in  their  cooperation 
at  home  and  in  their  ministrations  among  the  troops.  Mr.  Loss- 
iug,  in  a  private  letter,  says, — "In  the  Old  War  for  Indepen- 
dence the  women  in  many  communities  had  gatherings,  often  at 
the  house  of  a  pastor,  to  work  for  the  needy  soldiers.  In  Phila- 
delphia and  in  Baltimore  were  many  noble  examples  of  the  kind, 
in  the  later  years  of  the  Avar." 

1  Lossing's  Field  Book,  Vol.  I,  p.  705,  note. 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  37 

A  few  illustrations  may  be  given  of  the  spontaneous  ;m<l 
generous  assistance  to  which  Mr.  Lossing  refers.  "  In  the 
su miner  of  1780  the  distress  of  the  American  army  was  very 
great,  on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  clothing,  and  the  inade- 
quate means  possessed  by  the  commissary  department  to  afford  a 
supply.  The  generous  sympathies  of  the  ladies  of  Philadelphia 
were  aroused,  and  they  formed  an  association  for  the  purpose  of 
affording  relief  to  the  poor  soldiers.  Never  was  the.  energy  of 
genuine  sympathy  more  nobly  exercised  than  by  the  patriotic 
women  who  joined  hands  in  this  holy  endeavor.  Mrs.  Esther 
Reed,  the  wife  of  Gen.  Joseph  Reed,  though  feeble  in  health  and 
surrounded  by  family  cares,  entered  with  hearty  zeal  into  the 
service,  and  was,  by  the  united  voice  of  her  associates,  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  society.  Mrs.  Sarah  Bache,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Franklin,  was  also  a  conspicuous  actor  in  the  formation  of  the 
association,  and  in  carrying  out  its  plans.  All  classes  became 
interested,  and  the  result  was  glorious.  The  Marquis  De  Chas- 
tellux,  who  was  in  Philadelphia  while  these  efforts  were  in  pro- 
gress, was  delighted  with  the  event.  In  describing  a  visit  to 
several  of  the  American  ladies,  he  says,  '  We  began  with  Mrs. 
Bache.  She  merits  all  the  anxiety  we  had  to  see  her,  for  she  is  the 
daughter  of  Mr.  Franklin.  Simple  in  her  manners,  like  her 
respectable  father,  she  possesses  his  benevolence.  She  conducted 
us  into  a  room  filled  with  work  lately  finished  by  the  ladies  of 
Philadelphia.  This  work  consisted  neither  of  embroidered  tambour 
waistcoats,  nor  net- work  edgings,  nor  of  gold  and  silver  brocade. 
Ir  was  a  quantity  of  shirts  for  the  soldiers  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
ladies  bought  the  linen  from  their  own  private  purses,  and  took 
a  pleasure  in  cutting  them  out  and  sewing  them  themselves.  On 
each  shirt  was  the  name  of  the  married  or  unmarried  lady  who 
made  it,  and  they  amounted  to  twenty-two  hundred.'  The 
results  of  this  effort  were  great  and  timely.  The  aggregate 
amount  of  contributions  in  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia 
was  estimated  at  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  in  specie 
value.  Added  to  this  was  a  princely  donation  from  Robert 
Morris  of  the  contents  of  a  ship  fully  laden  with  military  stores 


38  INTRODUCTION. 

and  clothing,  which  had  unexpectedly  arrived.  During  the  cold 
winter  which  followed,  hundreds  of  poor  soldiers  in  Washington's 
camp  had  occasion  to.  bless  the  women  of  Philadelphia  for  their 
labor  of  love." ] 

It  is  related  of  La  Fayette  that  on  a  certain  occasion  as  he 
"  passed  through  Baltimore  on  his  way  to  the  field  of  his  conflicts 
at  the  South,  he  was  greeted  with  the  greatest  respect  by  the 
people.  A  ball  was  given  in  his  honor,  at  which  the  marquis 
appeared  sad.  (  Why  so  gloomy  at  a  ball  ?'  asked  one  of  the  gay 
belles.  '  I  cannot  enjoy  the  gayety  of  the  scene/  replied  La 
Fayette,  '  while  so  many  of  the  poor  soldiers  are  without  shirts 
and  other  necessaries.'  '  We  will  supply  them/  was  the  noble 
reply  of  the  ladies ;  and  the  gayety  of  the  ball  room  was  ex- 
changed for  the  sober  but  earnest  services  of  the  needle.  They 
assembled  the  next  day  in  great  numbers  to  make  up  clothing 
for  the  soldiers,  of  materials  furnished  by  fathers  and  husbands. 
One  gentleman;  out  of  his  limited  means,  gave  La  Fayette  five 
hundred  dollars  to  aid  him  in  clothing  his  soldiers.  His  wife, 
with  her  own  hands,  cut  out  five  hundred  pairs  of  pantaloons, 
and  superintended  the  making  of  them."2 

These  instances  show  the  spirit  and  readiness  of  the  loyal 
women  of  the  Revolution,  whose  patriotism,  sacrifice,  and  endur- 
ance, deserve  all  praise.3  They  were  worthy  mothers  of  those 
whose  tender  and  active  sympathies  did  so  much  during  the  recent 
Avar  for  the  Union.  It  is  also  seen  what  might  have  been  done 

1  Lansing's  Field  Book,  Vol.  II,  pp.  105-107. 

2  Field  Book,  Vol.  II,  p.  187.     Mr.  Lossing  adds,  "This  gentleman's  name  was 
Poe.     His  widow,  the  lady  who  cut  out  the  garments,  was  living  when  La  Fayette 
visited  Baltimore  in  1824.     The  two  patriots  met,  and  the  scene  was  one  of  pecu- 
liar interest." 

3  Gen.  Washington  could  write  to  the  ladies  of  Philadelphia,  after  their  timely 
benefactions  to  the  army  in  1780  :  —  "The  army  ought  not  to  regret  its  sacrifices  or 
its  sufferings,  when  they  meet  with  so  flattering  a  reward  as  in  the  sympathy  of 
your  sex;  nor  can  it  fear  that  its  interests  will  he  neglected,  when  espoused  by 
advocates  as  powerful   as  they  are  amiable."     See  Frank  B.  Goodrich's  Tribute 
Book,  p.  24.     The  munificent  contributions  there  recorded   by  Mr.  Goodrich  cer- 
tainly indicate,  as  he  suggests,  that  the  men  were  not  less  patriotic  and  liberal 
than  the  women. 


A   GLANCE    BACKWARD.  39 

if  there  had  been  a  strong  feeling  of  nationality  throughout  the 
country,  and  some  systematized  way  of  manifesting  it  in  the 
popular  support  of  the  army.  But  the  time  for  these  things  had 
not  yet  come. 

Nor  was  there  any  lack  of  religious  feeling  and  activity  among 
the  defenders  of  American  liberty.  New  England  especially  had 
been  colonized  from  religious  motives  and  for  religious  purposes. 
The  pulpit  was  the  great  educator  of  the  people,  and  had  taught 
iliciu  to  demand,  as  it  had  prepared  them  to  use,  civil  and  reli- 
gious freedom.  Mr.  Thornton  justly  says,  "  To  the  pulpit,  the 
Puritan  pulpit,  we  owe  the  moral  force  which  won  our  Revolu- 
tion." 1  And  so,  in  the  scenes  of  actual  war,  none  were  more 
zealous  or  useful  than  the  pastors  and  volunteer  chaplains.  They 
preached  and  prayed  among  the  troops,  they  nursed  the  sick  and 
wounded,  they  encouraged  the  people  to  efforts  for  the  relief  of 
the  army,  and  served  in  many  ways  to  carry,  the  quickening  in- 
fluences of  home  into  the  camp.  Speaking  of  the  Massachusetts 
militia,  Mr.  Greene  says,  "Their  drill  was  a  social  and  religious 
exercise,  followed  almost  always  by  a  sermon  and  sometimes  by  a 
banquet.  .  .  .  The  minister  descended  from  the  pulpit  to 
take  his  place  at  the  head  of  his  company  or  even  in  the  ranks. 
In  the  company  of  minute-men  of  Danvers  the  deacon  was  cap- 
tain and  the  minister  lieutenant ;  for  none  in  those  days  seemed 
to  doubt  that  duty  to  God  comprised  duty  to  the  State."2 

Valuable  as  these  memorials  are,  representing  various  parts  of 
the  country,  and  illuminating  however  dimly  the  times  and  cir- 
cumstances in  which  our  national  life  began,  they  do  not  indicate 
any  special  advance  in  thoughtfulness  and  care  for  those  who 
were  enduring  privation  and  peril  in  the  nation's  defense,  nor 
any  special  effort  to  mitigate  the  inevitable  sufferings  of  \\ar. 
Indeed  much  of  the  neglect,  from  which  the  army  of  the  Revo- 
lution suffered  in  so  many  ways,  must  be  traced  to  a  widely 
prevalent  jealousy  of  the  military  power, — a  fear  that  the  sol- 

1  Pulpit  of  the  American  Revolution,  page  38. 
»  Historical  View,  pp.  214,  215. 


40  INTRODUCTION. 

diers  might  become  too  strong  for  the  safety  and  peace  of  the 
Republic. 

What  was  true  of  the  Revolutionary  war  was  true  also  in  a 
general  way  of  the  war  of  1812.  The  popular  interest  was  much 
less,  as  was  also  the  need  of  voluntary  assistance.  There  was 
the  same  want  of  systematic  cooperation,  and  the  same  readiness 
for  temporary  relief  when  any  special  appeal  was  made.  In  the 
private  letter  already  quoted,  Mr.  Lossing  says,  "  In  the  city  of 
New  York  an  association  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  knitting 
socks  and  producing  other  comforts,  for  the  soldiers  who  were  to 
encounter  the  rigors  of  a  Canadian,  winter  in  1813-'14.  Mrs. 
Gen.  Morgan  Lewis  was  at  the  head  of  it." 

During  the  war  in  Mexico,  in  1846-' 7,  the  American  Tract 
Society  engaged  somewhat  in  colporteur  labors  and  the  distribu- 
tion of  publications,  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  among  the  sol- 
diers on  their  way  to  and  from  the  seat  of  war.  "  Large  cases  of 
books  and  tracts  were  also  sent  forward  with  the  army  into  Mexico, 
and  circulated  there  with  cheering  results." 

The  conclusion  to  which  our  review  thus  far  brings  us  cannot 
be  better  stated  than  in  the  words  of  the  noble  English  woman 
wTho  is  best  fitted,  by  her  ample  knowledge  and  practical  experi- 
ence, to  pronounce  a  judgment  in  the  case.  In  a  private  letter, 
under  date  of  February  23d,  1866,  Miss  Florence  Nightingale 
writes,  "  Until  of  late  years  there  has  been  no  systematic  atten- 
tion paid  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  such  as  has  been  done  for 
healthy  soldiers.  Any  system  which  has  been  introduced  at  any 
time  has  been  simply  improvised  to  meet  a  present  emergency. 
I  am  not  aware  of  any  instance  in  which  the  miseries  and  horrors 
of  military  hospitals  during  war  have  been  alleviated,  by  private 
and  extra-governmental  organization,  anterior  to  the  last  war  with 
Russia.  During  all  former  wars,  so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to 
learn,  there  have  been  no  attempts  at  organized  private  relief. 
There  have  doubtless  been  multitudes  of  instances  in  which 
Christian  philanthropy  has  led  private  persons  to  receive  sick  and 
wounded  men  into  their  houses,  and  to  tend  to  them  as  if  they 


A   GLANCE   BACKWARD.  41 

were  at  home.  Members  of  religious  orders  have  at  all  times 
attended  sick  and  wounded  in  hospitals.  These  cases  throw  a 
ii'lram  of  comfort  over  the  most  harrowing  details  of  campaigns, 
but,  as  I  have  said,  there  has  been  no  organization  specially 
devoted  to  this  purpose." ' 

1  In  the  summer  of  1865,  the  Christian  Commission  sent  to  Miss  Nightingale, 
by  the  hand  of  Rev.  T.  W.  J.  Wylie,  D.  D.  of  Philadelphia,  bound  volumes  of  their 
Annual  Reports  and  other  Documents  at  that  time  published.  The  Commission 
was  glad  of  the  occasion  to  say,  in  sending  the  volumes,  "  We  are  prompted  to  this 
"ili-ring,  not  simply  because  of  your  well-known  interest  in  our  American  struggle, 
but  because  your  own  labors,were  an  impulse  and  guide  to  those  herein  recorded. 
Your  influence  and  our  indebtedness  to  you  in  this  work  can  never  be  known. 
Only  this  is  true,  that  everywhere  throughout  our  broad  country,  during  these 
years  of  inventive  ahd  earnest  benevolence,  in  the  constant  endeavors  to  succor 
and  sustain  our  imperilled  and  heroic  defenders,  the  name  and  work  of  Florence 
Nightingale  have  been  an  encouragement  and  an  inspiration." 

Immediately  on  receiving  the  volumes,  Miss  Nightingale  sent  the  subjoined 
note  to  Dr.  Wylie  :  — 

35  SOUTH  STREET,  PARK  LANE,      1 
LONDON,  W.,  Sept.  6, 1865.  J 

THE  REV.  T.  W.  J.  WYLIE,  D.I). — My  Dear  Sir:  I  know  not  how  to  thank  you 
for  bringing,  or  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission  for  sending,  me  the  two  Annual 
Reports,  etc.,  which  I  received  yesterday.  I  know  not  how  to  thank  you  all  for 
the  kind  thought  of  me. 

All  that  I  can  say  in  return,  is  to  express  my  admiration  for  the  branch  of  the 
great  work  of  alleviating  human  suffering  which  those  reports  disclose. 

In  the  history  of  our  time  nothing  more  remarkable  has  occurred  than  the 
universal  uprising,  so  to  speak,  of  the  Christian  philanthropy  of  America,  to  lend 
its  helping  hand  to  the  great  struggle  through  which  the  country  has  passed.  It 
is  a  new  feature  in  the  experience  of  humanity,  and  it  is  an  inexpressible  comfort 
to  have  been  in  any  the  least  degree  instrumental  in  forwarding  so  great  a  work. 

I  could  not  help  reading  through  the  volume  of  Reports  the  first  afternoon  I 
received  it,  though  suffering  from  wearing  and  increasing  illness,  from  bereave- 
ment, and  overwhelmed  with  business.  It  is,  at  such  a  time,  the  only  thing  I 
could  have  read,  and  I  read  it  with  tears  in  my  eyes,  —  of  sympathy,  of  reverence, 
and  admiration. 

I  must  trust  to  your  kindness  to  make  my  acknowledgments  to  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission  in  the  first  place.  But  I  shall,  of  course,  as  soon  as  I  am 
able,  endeavor  to  write  them  some  feeble  expression  of  what  I  felt  when  I  received 
their  packet. 

Pray  accept,  my  dear  sir,  my  weak  words  to  mean  the  deep  and  strong  feeling 
of  respectful  love  wJth  which  our  sister  country,  sister  in  a  deeper,  sense  than  that 


42  INTRODUCTION. 

We  come  now  to  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  benevolence, — 
the  organization  of  relief  for  sick  and  wounded  soldiers.  What- 
ever had  been  done  hitherto  in  this  direction  was  the  result  of 
temporary  appeal  to  meet  a  special  and  pressing  want.  There 
had  been  in  no  nation  any  recognition  of  the  army  otherwise  than 
as  a  machine  of  the  government,  to  be  cared  for  by  the  govern- 
ment or  not  cared  for  at  all.  It  had  never  been,  in  any  general 
sense,  regarded  as  a  company  of  citizens, — fathers,  sons,  and 
brothers, — engaged  in  the  peril  and  horror  of  war  for  the  nation's 
honor,  or  for  the  peace  and  safety  of  the  homes  they  represented. 
Hence  there  was  felt  no  necessity  or  desire  for  attesting  the  popu- 
lar sympathy  and  interest,  by  permanent  and  organized  assistance 
for  the  army  directly  from  the  people.  Indeed  by  those  who 
gave  to  the  "  problem  of  misery "  the  most  earnest  study,  and 
sought  to  apply  the  alleviations  of  Christianity  to  every  form  of 
suffering,  the  physical  and  moral  necessities  of  the  army  were 
expressly  excluded  from  the  objects  of  popular  benevolence.  The 
prize  essay  of  Chastel,  perhaps  the  best  treatise  extant  on  the 
subject  of  charity,  has  this  defect.  After  a  careful  and  thorough 
survey  of  the  entire  history  of  charity,  he  gathers  its  lessons  into 
an  appeal  for  public  and  private  benevolence,  —  personal  and  col- 
lective, as  by  particular  religious  societies  and  by  many  of  these 
combined, — to  meet  all  cases  of  need  in  individuals  and  families, 
and  for  disabled  classes,  as  orphans,  foundlings,  blind,  etc.,  etc. 
But  he  makes  this  notable  exception:  —  "We  except  military 
hospitals,  the  support  of  which  belongs  to  the  State  alone.  It  is 
but  just  that  it  should  provide  at  its  own  expense  for  those  who 
expose  in  its  service  their  health  and  their  life."1  But  it  is  be- 
in  which  all  Christian  countries  are  sisters,  has  inspired  us  in  the  hour  of  her 
struggle  and  of  victory. 
And  pray  believe  me  your  and  her  devoted  servant, 

FLORENCE  NIGHTINGALE. 

1  The  Charity  of  the  Primitive  Churches,  by  Eev.  Stephen  Chaste],  of  Geneva, 
Switzerland.  Translated  by  G.  A.  Matile.  Philadelphia,  1859.  See  page  319. 
It  is  a  singular  fact,  and  not  very  creditable,  that  the  American  translation  of 
this  unique  and  admirable  book  fell  dead  from  the  press,  but  a  small  part  of  the 
first  edition  ever  finding  its  way  into  the  market.  » 


A    GLANCE    BACKWARD.  43 

coming  understood  that  armies  and  governments  are  alike  the 
agrnrirs  of  the  people's  welfare,  and  that  it  is  the  duty  no  Irs- 
than  the  prerogative  of  the  people  to  provide  extra-govern- 
mental relief  for  those  who  fight  their  battles  and  suffer  in  their 
defense. 

The  war  of  the  Crimea  is  memorable  for  the  labors  of  Miss 
Florence  Nightingale  and  her  associates,  in  relief  of  the  sufferings 
of  the  English  troops.  The  main  facts  and  circumstances  of  that 
war,  in  which  England,  France,  and  Turkey  were  arrayed  against 
Knssia,  are  too  well  known  to  require  mention.  In  April,  1854, 
the  English  army  reached  the  field  of  hostilities,  and  finally  left 
Turkey,  July  28,  1856.  From  a  variety  of  causes,  but  princi- 
pally from  an  utter  want  of  care,  —  even  to  destitution  in  clothing 
'and  the  absence  of  all  proper  food  and  nursing,  —  the  mortality 
in  camp  and  hospital  soon  rose  to  a  fearful  rate.  There  seemed 
to  be  no  adequate  preparation  or  provision  for  the  men  in  any 
iv- pert;  and  the  battle-field  was  less  destructive  than  hospital, 
transport,  or  encampment.  It  was  safer  to  fight  than  to  remain 
at  rest,  and  Balaklava  and  the  Alma  were  less  terrible  than 
Scutari.  The  account  of  privation,  Suffering,  and  death,  as  spread 
out  in  the  various  Reports  of  Commissions  appointed  by  Parlia- 
ment, in  Miss  Martineau's  England  and  Her  Soldiers,  and  in 
other  documents,  is  one  of  the  saddest  records  in  the  history  of 
civilization.  "  From  June,  1854,  to  June,  1856,  inclusive,  there 
were  received  into  the  General  Hospitals  on  the  Bosphorus,  43,288 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers, — of  whom  5,432  died.  Out  of  this 
mighty  host  of  sick,  dying,  and  dead,  fire  and  sword  contributed 
only  4,161  admissions  and  395  deaths,  during  the  entire  period."1 
This  covers  almost  the  entire  time  of  the  army's  occupation,  in- 
cluding the  healthy  as  well  as  the  unhealthy  period.  The  aver- 
age strength  of  the  English  army  during  the  campaign  was  about 
30,000.  The  whole  number  of  troops  furnished,  including  the 
original  quota  and  reinforcements,  was  94,000.  In  the  summer 
and  autumn  of  1854  the  mortality  throughout  the  army  was  at 
the  rate  of  more  than  thirty-five  per  centum  per  annum,  or  nearly 

1  England  and  Her  Soldiers,  p.  195. 


44  INTRODUCTION. 

thirty  times  that  of  Manchester,  "one  of  the  most  unhealthy 
towns  of  England."  The  people  at  home  were  filled  with  con- 
sternation, and  the  government  and  the  nation  were  startled  into 
unwonted  activity.  For  the  saddest  feature  of  the  case  was  that 
the  suffering  and  death  were  almost  wholly  from  preventible 
causes,  —  from  scurvy  and  its  kindred  diseases;  Miss  Nightingale 
says,  "  For  '  scorbutic  disease'  read  '  bad  food,  etc.,'  and  you  have 
the  cause." '  Methods  of  relief  were  at  once  devised.  A  noble 
fund  was  raised  and  administered  through  the  agency  of  The 
London  Times;  private  contributions  were  hastened  forward  in 
abundance ;  a  sanitary  commission,  for  inspection  and  improve- 
ment, was  sent  out ;  above  all,  at  the  suggestion  of  Hon.  Sidney 
Herbert,2  then  Secretary  of  State  for  War,  Miss  Florence  Night- 
ingale, and  under  her  a  band  of  trained  nurses,  went  to  the  hos- 
pitals at  Scutari  and  in  the  Crimea.  Forty  nurses  accompanied 
Miss  Nightingale,  and  fifty  followed  afterward,  led  by  Miss 
Stanley.  What  they  did  is  known  throughout  the  world.  It  is 
true  that  directly  after  their  arrival  (at  Constantinople,  Novem- 
ber 4,  1854,  "  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Inkerman"),  the  mortality 
was  higher  than  before,  —  being  in  January,  1855,  at  the  fearful 
rate  of  over  one  hundred  and  seventeen  per  cent,  per  annum ;  (that 
is,  had  the  same  rate  of  mortality  continued,  the  entire  army 
would  have  died  in  a  little  more  than  ten  months.}  But  it  soon 
began  to  decline  and  declined  rapidly.  Miss  Nightingale  was 
thoroughly  fitted  for  her  work,  possessed  of  rare  executive  ability, 
was  heartily  sustained  by  the  authorities  at  home,  by  the  nation, 
and  by  her  assistants.  She  had  abundant  extra-governmental 
resources  at  command.  She  gave  herself  wholly  to  the  urgent 
service.  "  Often  she  stood  for  twenty  hours  in  succession,  giving 
direction,  but  she  had  always  a  kind  word  or  a  smile  for  the  sick, 

1  Report  of  Sidney  Herbert's  Cotn.nission,  p.  370. 

2  Sidney  Herbert,  afterward  Lord  Herbert  of  Lea,  was  English  Secretary-at- 
War  during  the  Crimean   campaign.     He  died  August  2,  1861.     In  the  private 
letter  already  quoted,  Miss  Nightingale  speaks  of  him  as  one  "whose  work  has 
been  the  greatest  in,  as  his  death  has  been  the  most  fatal  loss  to,  the  sanitary  and 
moral  progress  and  civilization  of  our  army." 


A    GLANCE   BACKWARD.  45 

and  was  soon  idolized  by  the  army."1  No  wonder  that  at  the 
end  of  twenty  months  she  returned  to  England  in  impaired  health, 
and  has  ever  since  been  a  confirmed  invalid.8 

The  result  of  all  these  remedial  efforts  in  the  English  portion 
of  the  Crimean  army  may  be  given  in  the  summary  statement  of 
Miss  Nightingale,  in  her  testimony  before  the  Herbert  Commis- 
sion on  the  Sanitary  Condition  of  the  Army,  etc.  "  We  have 
much  more  information  on  the  sanitary  history  of  the  Crimean 
campaign  than  we  have  on  any  other.  It  is  a  complete  example, 
—  history  does  not  afford  its  equal, — of  an  army,  after  a  great 
disaster  arising  from  neglects,  having  been  brought  into  the 
highest  state  of  health  and  efficiency.  It  is  the  whole  experiment 
on  a  colossal  scale.  In  all  other  examples,  the  last  step  has  been 
wanting  to  complete  the  solution  of  the  problem.  We  had  in  the 
first  seven  months  of  the  Crimean  campaign,  a  mortality  among 
the  troops  at  a  rate  of  sixty  per  cent,  per  annum  from  disease 
alone; — a  rate  of  mortality  which  exceeds  that  of  the  great  plague 
in  the  population  of  London,  and  a  higher  ratio  than  the  mortality 
in  cholera  to  the  attacks;  that  is  to  say,  there  died  out  of  the 
army  in  the  Crimea  an  annual  rate  greater  than  ordinarily  die  in 
time  of  pestilence  out  of  sick.  We  had,  during  the  last  six  months 
of  the  war,  a  mortality  among  our  sick  not  much  more  than  that 
among  our  healthy  guards  at  home,  and  a  mortality  among  our 
troops  in  the  last  five  months  two-thirds  only  of  what  it  is  among 
our  troops  at  home."3 

So  great  a  change  was  wrought  by  the  introduction  of  sanitary 
regulations  in  camp  and  hospital,  by  caring  for  the  men  while  on 
transports,  by  furnishing  proper  clothing,  food,  recreation,  etc., 
and  by  such  attention  in  all  the  details  of  nursing  as  secured  at. 
least  the  opportunity  to  recover  where  recovery  was  possible. 
Means  were  provided  for  reading,  writing,  etc. :  nurses  found  time 

1  Appleton's  New  Am.  Cyclopedia. 

2  Much  interesting  information  respecting  Miss  Nightingale  and  her  labors  may 
be  found  in  the  works  above  quoted;  also,  as  more  accessible,  in  Mrs.  Jameson's 
Sisters  of  Charity,  and  McCormick's  Visit  to  the  Camp  before  Sevastopol. 

3  Report,  etc.,  p.  361. 


46  INTRODUCTION. 

to  read  to  their  patients,  and  to  write  their  letters  where  necessary. 
The  men  felt  the  recuperative  power  of  sympathy,  and  displayed 
the  patience,  self-restraint,  manliness,  and  courtesy  which  were 
so  conspicuous  among  our  own  soldiers  in  similar  circumstances. 
It  will  be  of  interest  here  to  note  the  general  duties  of  Miss 
Nightingale's  nurses,  as  stated  by  herself  in  her  testimony  before 
the  Cumming-Maxwell  Commission  on  the  State  of  the  Army 
Hospitals  in  the  Crimea  and  Scutari : — 

"  The  nurses  are  all  distributed  into  wards.  The  medical  men 
in  charge  of  wards  apply  to  me  when  they  want  nurses.  I  refer 
the  application  to  the  first  class  staff  surgeon  of  the  division, 
and,  with  his  permission,  I  send  a  nurse  or  nurses,  of  whom 
I  have  the  selection.  The  general  nature  of  their  duties  they 
learn  from  my  orders.  The  patients  to  whom  they  are  to  attend 
are  indicated  to  them  by  the  medical  officer ;  also  the  treatment 
of  those  patients.  They  are  employed  chiefly  among  the  wounded, 
the  operation  cases,  and  the  severe  medical  cases.  Their  duties 
among  the  surgical  cases  are  to  go  round  in  the  morning,  to  wash 
and  prepare  such  wounds  for -the  medical  officers  as  those  officers 
direct,  to  attend  the  medical  officers  in  their  dressings,  and  receive 
and  bring  to  me  those  officers'  directions  as  to  the  -diets,  drinks, 
and  medical  comforts  of  those  cases.  They  generally  go  out  in 
fours.  A  quartette  had  generally  a  corridor  and  two  wards  of 
surgical  cases.  In  the  medical  divisions  the  nurse's  duty  is  to 
take  such  cases  as  the  medical  officer  confides  to  her.  Her  busi- 
ness is  chiefly  to  see  that  the  food  is  properly  cooked  and  properly 
administered,  that  the  extra  diet  rolls  made  on  me  are  attended 
to,  and  that  cleanliness,  as  far  as  possible,  of  the  wards  and  per- 
sons is  attended  to,  and  the  bed  sores  dressed." ' 

At  first  with  all  confusion ;  by  and  by 

Sweet  order  lived  again  with  other  laws  ; 

A  kindlier  influence  reigned,  and  everywhere 

Low  voices,with  the  ministering  hand, 

Hung  round  the  sick.    The  maidens  came,  they  talked, 

They  sung,  they  read,  till  she  not  fair  began 

To  gather  light,  and  she  that  was  became 

1  Report,  p.  331. 


A   GLANCE    BACKWARD.  47 

Her  former  beauty  treble;  to  and  fro, 
With  books,  with  flowers,  with  angel  offices, 
Like  creatures  native  unto  gracious  act, 
And  in  their  own  clear  element  they  moved.1 

The  religious  wants  of  the  English  soldiers  in  the  Crimea  do 
not  seem,  at  the  outset,  to  have  been  better  supplied  than  their 
physical  necessities.  Col.  Joshua  Jebb,  in  his  testimony  before 
the  Herbert  Commission,  said  that  he  had  "  always  been  greatly 
struck  with  the  deficiency  in  the  amount  of  spiritual  instruction 
in  the 'army/'  although  the  great  readiness  of  the  soldiers  to  profit 
by  such  instruction  had  "always  shown  itself  where  any  means 
had  been  afforded  them."  He  regarded  it  as  essential  to  the 
highest  sanitary  condition  and  the  efficiency  of  the  troops.  He 
gave  statistics  to  show  how  much  better  provision  England  made 
for  the  religious  and  moral  welfare  of  her  criminals  than  of  her 
soldiers.2  Mr.  MgCormick  assures  us  that  in  the  English  camp 
in  the  Crimea,  "  with  few  exceptions,  the  regiments  were  quite 
destitute  of  chaplains,  and  utterly  deprived  of  all  religious  meet- 
ings."3 But  there  is  some  alleviation  to  the  general  sadness  of  the 
picture,  and  later  in  the  campaign,  with  the  introduction  of  other 
sources  of  relief  and  comfort,  religious  advantages  were  multi- 
plied. Mr.  McCormick  speaks  of  Rev.  John  Hayward,  the 
chaplain  of  the  forces  in  Balaklava,  and  his  assistant,  Mr.  Taylor, 
who  maintained  regular  services  on  the  Sabbath  and  on  two 
evenings  in  the  week.  They  were  indefatigable  and  efficient, 
especially  in  their  labors  among  the  sick  on  the  ships  in  the 
harbor.  Mr.  D.  Matheson,  a  Scotch  colporteur  and  Scripture 
reader,  sent  out  by  the  Soldiers'  Friend  Society,  to  labor  among 
the  Highland  regiments,  did  very  good  service.  "  Possessed  of  a 
true  Scotch  heart,  large,  and  full  of  sympathy  and  benevolence, 
he  was  constantly  engaged  in  endeavoring  to  comfort  the  sick 
and  dying.  At  an  early  hour  he  would  leave  his  quarters,  and 
start  for  the  camp  with  his  pockets  and  arms  filled  with  Bibles, 
tracts,  and  other  religious  publications,  together  with  such  a 

1  Tennyson's  Princess,  vii.  z  Report,  etc.,  p.  175. 

8  Visit  to  the  Camp  before  Sevastopol,  p.  116. 


48  INTRODUCTION. 

variety  of  little  '  knicknacks'  for  the  temporal  relief  of  the 
suffering  members  of  his  charge,  as  he  could  secure  from  the 
newly  arrived  vessels.  He  visited  from  tent  to  tent,  and  by  his 
sincerity  and  unostentatious  kindness  soon  became  a  great  favorite 
both  among  the  officers  and  men." '  Our  own  American  Bible 
Society  was  represented  in  the  "  camp  before  Sevastopol/'  in  the 
winter  of  1854,  by  their  agent,  Eev.  C.  N.  Righter,  who  was 
courteously  and  cordially  received  by  Lord  Raglan,  through  his 
Adjutant-General,  J.  B.  Bucknall  Estcourt.  The  troops  had 
been  provided  with  Bibles  and  Testaments  at  the  time  of  their 
departure  from  England,  but  in  the  confusion  of  the  battles  and 
the  march  from  Alma  many  copies  were  lost  or  destroyed.  A 
fresh  supply  was  on  the  way,  but  had  not  arrived,  and  Mr. 
Righter  was  cheered  by  the  eager  welcome  that  greeted  him  from 
the  men  among  whom  he  distributed  the  Word  of  Life.  As 
already  intimated,  under  the  administration  of  Miss  Nightingale, 
and  especially  through  the  cooperation  of  Rev.  Mr.  Osborne  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bracebridge,  much  was  done  for  the  moral  and 
religious  welfare  of  the  men. 

The  French  Army  in  the  Crimea  was  larger  than  the  English, 
numbering  in  all  309,268  men.  It  was  much  better  furnished 
with  sanitary  and  hygienic  appliances.  Their  quartermaster  and 
commissary  departments  were  provided  against  emergencies,  and 
from  the  first  there  was  a  supply  of  competent  cooks,  and  an 
attendance  of  trained  female  nurses  from  among  the  religious 
orders  of  "  Sisters."  It  does  not  appear  that  any  extra-govern- 
mental aid  of  any  kind  was  proffered  or  permitted,  and  hence 
there  was  no  room  for  the  manifestation  of  popular  sympathy  and 
appreciation.  The  regulations  would  not  allow  the  agent  of  the 
American  Bible  Society  to  visit  the  French  troops,  as  he  had 
visited  the  English,  and  there  seems  to  have  been  very  little  of 
religious  spirit  or  instruction  among  them.  It  is  singular  to 
notice  that  the  rate  of  mortality  among  the  French  soldiers, 
taking  the  whole  period  of  occupation  into  account,  was  much 
greater  than  among  the  English,  although  during  the  early 
1  Visit,  etc.,  p.  119. 


A   GLANCE   BACKWARD.  49 

months  it  was  very  much  less.  For  the  French  the  average  of 
annual  deaths  was,  from  disease  alone,  over  300  per  1,000  of 
mean  strength;  for  the  English  it  was  252, — the  English  death- 
rate  most  wonderfully  diminishing  from  the  ratio  of  over  117  per 
cent,  per  annum  in  January,  1855,  to  less  than  1-Jr  per  cent,  in 
February,  1856. '  This  difference  is  not,  in  all  respects,  satisfac- 
torily explained.  But  it  cannot  be  regarded  as  presumptuous  to 
suppose  that  the  unparalleled  exhibition  of  popular  appreciation, 
not  less  than  the  unwonted  attention  and  care  which  accompanied 
it,  did  much  toward  raising  the  health  of  the  English  troops. 
The  thought  that  they  were  at  last  remembered  at  home,  helped 
to  ward  off  disease  and  to  quicken  recovery.  The  tender  sympa- 
thy of  the  Queen,  so  tenderly  expressed,2  the  assuring  smile  of 
Miss  Nightingale,  and  the  lavish  expenditure  in  providing  Chris- 
tian ministration  for  body  and  soul,  saved  many  an  heroic  life, 
and  proved  the  most  precious  sanitary  agents.  There  does  not 

1  To  estimate  the  significance  of  these  figures,  as  bearing  upon  the  rate  of  mor- 
tality in  the  army,  two  things  are  requisite:  —  1st.  To  compare  them  with  the 
ordinary  death  rates  of  settled  communities;  2d.  To  remember  that  an  army  is 
composed  of  picked  men,  who,  from  the  care  taken  in  their  selection  and  from  the 
fact  that  they  are  in  the  prime  of  life,  should  show  a  much  less  mortality  from 
disease  than  exists  in  ordinary  communities,  which  include  the  young,  the  aged, 
and  the  invalid  of  all  classes.     To  aid  in  the  comparison  suggested  it  may  be  re- 
marked that  from  the  latest  and  most  careful  statistics  it  appears  that  the  annual 
death  rate  in  the  United  States,  England,  and  France,  is  slightly  in  excess  of  2T2ff 
per  cent.;  —  that  is,  twenty-two  persons  die  annually  in   each  thousand  of  the 
inhabitants. 

2  The  following  letter,  so  worthy  of  a  Christian  queen,  is  worthy  also  of  preser- 
vation here.     It  was  addressed  to  her  War  Secretary,  Hon.  Sidney  Herbert:  — 

"WINDSOR  CASTLE,  Dec.  6,  1854. 

"  Would  you  tell  Mrs.  Herbert  that  I  begged  she  would  let  me  see  frequently  the 
accounts  she  receives  from  Miss  Nightingale  or  Mrs.  Bracebridge,  as  I  hear  no 
details  of  the  wounded,  though  I  see  so  many  officers,  etc.,  about  the  battle-field : 
and  naturally  the  former  must  interest  me  more  than  any  one.  Let  Mrs.  Herbert 
know  also  that  I  wish  Miss  Nightingale'  and  the  ladies  would  tell  these  poor,  noble, 
wounded,  and  sick  men,  that  no  one  takes  a  warmer  interest,  or  feels  more  for 
their  sufferings,  or  admires  their  courage  and  heroism  more,  than  their  Queen. 
Day  and  night  she  thinks  of  her  beloved  troops.  So  does  the  Prince.  Beg  Mrs. 
Herbert  to  communicate  these  my  words  to  those  ladies,  as  I  know  that  our  sym- 
pathy is  much  valued  by  those  noble  fellows.  VICTOIUA." 
7 


50  INTRODUCTION. 

seem  to  have  been  any  such  manifestation  of  popular  feeling 
toward  the  French  soldiers,  and  very  little  if  any  unofficial  Chris- 
tian care.  It  is  not  improbable  that  this  contributed  to  their 
more  rapid  destruction  by  the  terrible  machinery  of  war. 

These  views,  as  respects  the  French  troops,  are  confirmed  by 
two  articles,  of  great  interest  and  value,  in  the  Revue  Chretienne l 
for  September  and  October,  1865,  by  Dr.  de  Yalcourt,  on  the 
"  Sanitary  Condition  of  the  Armies  engaged  in  the  Great  Contem- 
porary Wars," — having  special  reference  to  the  Crimean  war, 
the  campaign  of  France  and  Sardinia  against  Austria  in  1859, 
and  the  American  Rebellion.  The  principal  French  authority 
quoted  is  Dr.  Chenu.  After  detailing  the  great  suffering  of  the 
French  in  the  Crimea,  in  camp  and  in  hospital,  from  freezing, 
fever,  and  scurvy,  and  suitably  noticing  the  devotion  of  the 
Sisters  of  Charity  to  their  sick  and  wounded  patients,  —  (thirty- 
one  of  these  heroic  women,  during  the  campaign,  died  at  their 
posts  of  duty), — Dr.  de  Valcourt  says,  "  At  the  beginning  of  the 
war,  the  English  sick  were  not  so  well  cared  for  as  our  own,  but 
subsequently  their  hospital  service  was  greatly  improved.  Their 
ambulances2  in  the  Crimea  were  admirably  adapted  for  service. 
Their  hospital-transports  were  arranged  with  great  care  for  the 
removal  of  the  sick.  In  the  harbor  of  Balaklava,  M.  Baudens 
visited  an  English  steam-frigate  fitted  up  as  an  hospital,  contain- 
ing three  hundred  beds,  where  comfort  was  carried  to  such  an 
extent  that  they  had  on  board  three  or  four  cows.  Wise  hygienic 
arrangements,  joined  to  select  diet,  had  such  success  in  the  Eng- 
lish hospitals  that  typhus  fever  did  not  spread  in  them  after  1855. 
All  this  improvement  was  due  to  the  devotedness  of  the  physi- 
cians and  the  female  nurses.  Miss  Nightingale  was  able  greatly 

1  Some  unknown  friend  most  kindly  forwarded  these  copies  of  the  Revue  from 
Paris. 

2  An  Ambulance  in  the  French  army,  as  the  reader  will  have  noticed,  is  what 
•we  should  now  call  a  Flying-Hospital,  —  a  portable  hospital,  that  is,  one  of  which 
at  least  is  attached  to  each  division  of  an  army  in  the  field,  moving  with  the 
troops,  and  provided  with  all  the  requisites  for  the  immediate  succor  of  the  sick 
and  wounded.    As  applied  to  a  wagon  or  cart  for  carrying  the  disabled,  the  use  of 
the  term  Ambulance  is  quite  recent. 


A   GLANCE   BACKWARD.  51 

to  extend  her  benevolent  work, — thanks  to  the  voluntary  gifts 
collected  in  England, — so  that  she  could  supply  her  patients 
with  what  they  needed,  and  could  introduce  into  all  the  estab- 
lishments she  visited  a  degree  of  comfort  that  yielded  fruit  in  the 
speedy  improvement  of  the  sick.  Unfortunately  it  was  not  so 
with  the  voluntary  offerings  collected  in  France.  Instead  of 
being  distributed  by  a  special  and  independent  committee,  they 
were  given  to  the  government,  and  thus  combined  and  mixed  up 
with  the  governmental  supplies.  This  result  was  doubly  unfor- 
tunate, for  the  sick  were  not  only  deprived  of  the  additional  re- 
lief which  would  have  been  so  useful,  but  the  donors,  not  knowing 
how  their  money  was  expended,  were  discouraged,  and  ceased  to 
aid  our  valiant  army. 

"  In  the  midst  of  these  difficulties  of  all  kinds,"  continues  Dr. 
de  Valcourt,  "  occasioned  by  a  war  so  protracted  and  eight  hun- 
dred leagues  from  the  mother  country,  the  government  did  all 
that  it  was  possible  to  do.1  Even  to  furnish  the  necessaries  for 
an  army  of  150,000  men,  so  far  from  the  place  of  production,  was 
a  very  heavy  task.  Our  soldiers  accomplished  prodigies  of  hero- 
ism and  courage.  Our  physicians  pushed  devotion  and  self- 
sacrifice  so  far  that,  refusing  all  repose,  contagion  made  frightful 
ravage  among  them; — those  who  were  attached  to  the  ambu- 
lances and  hospitals  lost  one-fourth  of  their  effective  force.  That 
which  was  wanting  in  our  armies  was  a  Volunteer  Corps,  capable 
and  well  instructed,  who,  aided  by  gifts  from  the  whole  people, 
could  have  been  present  with  their  assistance  and  relief  where  the 
efforts  of  the  government  and  of  the  medical  corps  were  found 
insufficient; — to  supply,  in  a  word,  unforeseen  necessities,  and  to 
give  to  our  sick  soldiers  that  help  which  the  government,  as  such, 
could  not  accord  to  them." 

The  Russians  suffered  more  than  either  English  or  French. 
The  medical  service  was  lamentably  inadequate  to  the  demand 
upon  it.  The  ladies  of  St.  Petersburg  and  other  cities  were  not 

1  A  Paris  correspondent  of  The  New  York  Tribune,  writing  under  date  of  June 
29,  1866,  says  that  during  the  last  year  of  the  Crimean  war,  "  French  hospital 
directors  asked  and  largely  received  hospital  stores  from  the  English." 


52  INTRODUCTION. 

wanting  in  patriotic  devotion  to  their  countrymen  in  the  army. 
They  provided  and  forwarded  such  supplies  as  they  were  able. 
The  grand-duchess  Helena  Paulowna  did  a  noble  work  in  aid  of 
the  hospital  arrangement,  and  also  put  herself  at  the  head  of  a 
band  of  three  hundred  female  nurses.  But  there  was  inefficiency 
and  mismanagement  everywhere,  and  there  were  the  inevitable 
results  of  aggravated  disease  and  mortality.  It  is  said  that  the 
Czar,  Alexander  II,  moved  by  the  severe  suffering  of  his  troops, 
was  thereby  determined,  "  probably  more  than  by  any  other  con- 
sideration," promptly  to  conclude  peace.1 

In  the  Franco-Italian  campaign  against  Austria,  the  battle  of 
Solferino  was  fought  on  the  24th  of  June,  1859,  the  allied  French 
and  Sardinian  troops  being  victorious.  It  was  one  of  the  most 
terrible  and  bloody  conflicts  of  the  present  century.  More  than 
three  hundred  thousand  men  were  engaged,  beginning  at  early 
dawn,  for  full  fifteen  hours,  in  deadly  strife.  Many  of  them 
were  wearied  out  by  previous  marching,  and  there  was  neither 
time  nor  opportunity  to  take  either  rest  or  food.  The  heat  was 
excessive,  and  the  suffering  of  the  wounded,  and  indeed  of  all, 
both  during  the  battle  and  subsequently,  it  is  impossible  to  de- 
scribe. The  killed  and  wounded  in  both  armies  were  reckoned 
as  including  3  field-marshals,  9  generals,  1,566  officers  of  all 
grades  (630  Austrians  and  936  of  the  allies),  and  about  40,000 
soldiers  or  under  officers.  To  these  must  be  added  not  less  than 
40,000  more,  who  were  lost  during  the  following  two  months, 
from  diseases  brought  on  by  the  excessive  fatigues  and  exposures 
of  the  battle.  Thus,  from  the  casualties  of  that  one  day,  the 
killed  and  disabled  were  more  than  80,500  men,  or  nearly  27  per 
cent,  of  the  whole  force  engaged. 

Among   the   witnesses   of    the   conflict   was    Mr.    J.    Henry 

1  La  Commission  Sanitaire  des  Etatfs-  Unis.  By  Dr.  T.  W.  Evans.  Paris,  1865. 
See  Preface,  pp.  iii,  iv.  See  also  Souvenir  de  Solferino,  page  155  :  La  Charite  Inter- 
nationale, page  7.  Thanks  are  due  to  Dr.  Evans  for  his  works  upon  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission,  kindly  forwarded  through  the  thoughtful  suggestion 
of  Eev.  Dr.  Burlingham,  of  New  York.  Dr.  Burlingham's  attention  and  courtesy 
were  similarly  aianifested  many  times  while  abroad. 


A    GLANCE   BACKWARD.  53 

Dunant,  of  Geneva,  Switzerland.  He  was  deeply  affected  by 
the  intense  suffering  of  the  survivors  of  the  battle,  and  was  con- 
vinced that  much  of  it  might  have  been  relieved,  and  many  of 
the  victims  saved,  by  timely  and  organized  assistance.  For 
several  days  he  was  actively  engaged  in  ministering  to  the 
wounded  and  sick,  especially  at  the  hospitals  established  in  Cas- 
tiglione,  where  his  efforts  were  nobly  seconded  by  the  men  and 
women  of  the  place,  and  by  tourists  and  others  who  were  pres- 
ent. In  November,  1863,  Mr.  Dunant  published  the  narrative 
of  his  personal  experience  at  Solferino.  Under  the  title  Un 
Souvenir  de  Solferino,*  he  gives  a  vivid  picture  of  the  battle,  and 
of  the  horrors  subsequent  to  the  deadly  strife.  He  was  moved 
to  this  publication  by  a  consideration  of  the  painful  inadequacy 
of  all  means  of  succor  for  the  wounded  and  dying  of  that  bloody 
field.  He  urged,  as  a  provision  against  the  future,  the  formation, 
in  each  country  of  Europe,  of  a  permanent  society  for  the  relief 
of  the  wounded,  acting  in  the  interest  of  its  own  country,  but  in 
a  spirit  of  universal  humanity. 

The  Souvenir  de  Solferino  excited  great  attention  in  Europe. 
Several  editions  were  published  in  French  and  German,  and  it 
was  early  translated  into  the  other  European  languages.  The 
Geneva  Society  of  Public  Usefulness,  encouraged  by  the  general 
desire  for  some  organized  method  of  alleviating  the  miseries  of 
war,  constituted  from  their  body  a  permanent  commission  of  five 
members,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  formal  expression  of 
European  public  sentiment  in  the  matter.  The  commander-in- 
chief  of  the  Swiss  Federal  army,  Gen.  Dufour,  was  made  presi- 
dent, and  Mr.  Dunant,  secretary.  A  conference  was  held  in 
Geneva  in  October,  1863,  at  which  thirty-six  delegates  were  pre- 
sent by  invitation,  some  of  them  from  corporate  bodies  and  asso- 
ciations, and  eighteen  of  them  being  official  representatives  of 
fourteen  governments,  —  including  those  of  Great  Britain,  France, 
Spain,  Austria,  Prussia,  Italy,  Russia,  and  Sweden.  A  code  of 
international  enactments,  proposed  by  the  Geneva  Committee,  was 

1  For  forwarding  this,  with  other  valuable  documents,  as  also  for  many  other 
acts  of  kindness,  thanks  are  due  to  Rev.  Theo.  Monod,  of  Paris. 


54  INTRODUCTION. 

discussed  by  the  conference,  and  recommended  to  the  several 
governments  for  adoption.  A  correspondence  was  at  once  opened 
by  the  Central  Geneva  Committee  (now  re-named  Comit£  Inter- 
nationale de  Secours  aux  Militaires  Blesses)  with  most  of  the' 
cabinets  of  Europe,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  to  what  de- 
gree they  were  willing  to  adopt  the  recommendations  proposed. 
Fifteen  states  signified  their  willingness  to  accept  the  propositions 
as  part  of  an  international  code.  In  June,  1864,  upon  solicita- 
tion of  the  Committee,  the  Swiss  Federal  Council  issued  an  invi- 
tation to  all  civilized  powers  to  take  part  in  a  general  congress 
at  Geneva,  in  August,  to  consider  this  special  question  of  secur- 
ing, by  international  enactments,  neutrality  in  time  of  war  for 
hospitals,  ambulances,  surgeons,  and  all  persons  legitimately 
engaged  in  caring  for  the  sick  and  wounded.  This  measure  was 
heartily  seconded  by  the  French  government.  The  congress, 
constituted  by  the  representatives  of  sixteen  states,  assembled  at 
the  City  Hall,  in  Geneva,  on  the  8th  of  August,  and  remained 
in  consultation  until  the  22d.  The  propositions  of  the  former 
conference  were,  in  substance,  introduced,  discussed,  and  adopted. 
The  assent  of  twelve  nations  was  secured  at  the  time,  and  a 
treaty  covering  the  points  in  question  was  signed  by  their  repre- 
sentatives.1 Subsequently  all  the  chief  civilized  powers  of  the 
world  gave  in  their  accession  to  the  treaty,  except  Austria, 
Turkey,  and  the  United  States.  The  government  of  this  country 
was  in  full  sympathy  with  the  object  proposed,  but  was  prevented 
from  acting  by  reason  of  our  national  troubles.  An  auxiliary 
committee  has  recently  been  formed  here,  under  the  title  of  The 
American  Association  for  the  Relief  of  the  Misery  of  Battle  Fields, 

1  The  details  of  this  movement  are  given  in  the  valuable  work  entitled  La 
Chariie  Internationale  sur  les  Champs  de  Bataille,  already  several  times  quoted.  It 
was  prepared  by  Mr.  Henry  Dunant,  of  Geneva,  author  of  the  Souvenir  of  So/ferino, 
Secretary  of  the  International  Convention  above  referred  to,  and  Secretary  of  the 
permanent  International  Association  for  the  relief  of  disabled  soldiers.  He  must 
be  regarded  as  the  originator  and  principal  worker  in  the  enterprise.  Mr.  Dunant 
has  kindly  forwarded  a  copy  of  the  sixth  edition  of  La  Charite  Internationale,  for 
which  he  will  please  accept  this  acknowledgment. 


A    GLANCE   BACKWARD.  55 

with  headquarters  in  New  York.     Rev.  Henry  W.  Bellows,  D.  D., 
is  president,  and  Chas.  L.  Brace  is  secretary.1 

The  following  is  the  treaty  referred  to,  as  adopted  by  the  In- 
ternational Congress  at  Geneva,  and  since  signed  by  most  of  the 
governments  of  Christendom  :  — 

TREATY 

FOB  THE  AMELIORATION  OF  THE  CONDITION  OF  WOUNDED 
SOLDIERS  OF  ARMIES  IN  THE  FIELD. 

The  Sovereigns  of  the  countries  following,  to  wit :  Italy,  Baden,  Belgium, 
Denmark,  Holland,  Spain,  Portugal,  France,  Prussia,  Saxony,  Wurtemberg, 
and  the  Federal  Council  of  Switzerland,  animated  with  a  common  desire 
of  mitigating,  as  far  as  in  their  power,  the  evils  inseparable  from  war,  of 
suppressing  needless  severities,  and  of  ameliorating  the  condition  of  soldiers 
wounded  on  the  field  of  battle,  have  determined  to  conclude  a  treaty  for 
this  purpose ;  and,  having  named  plenipotentiaries  to  sign  such  a  conven- 
tion, these  plenipotentiaries,  after  the  due  interchange  of  their  powers, 
found  to  be  in  good  and  proper  form,  have  agreed  upon  the  following 
articles,  to  wit : — 

ART.  1.  Ambulances2  and  military  hospitals  shall  be  regarded  as  neutral, 
and  as  such  protected  and  respected  by  the  belligerents  as  long  as  they  shall 
be  occupied  by  sick  or  wounded.  Neutrality  shall  cease  if  the  ambulance 
or  hospital  shall  be  guarded  by  a  military  force. 

ART.  2.  The  personnel  of  the  hospitals  and  ambulances, — comprising  the 
medical  staff,  the  sanitary,  administrative,  and  transport  service,  and  the 
chaplains,  shall  participate  in  the  benefit  of  the  neutrality  as  long  as  it  shall 
be  in  operation,  and  as  long  as  there  shall  be  any  wounded  to  relieve  or 
assist. 

ART.  3.  The  persons  designated  in  the  preceding  article  may,  even  after 
the  occupation  by  the  enemy,  continue  to  fulfill  their  duties  in  the  hospital 
or  ambulance  to  which  they  are  attached,  or  they  may  withdraw  to  rejoin 
the  corps  to  which  they  belong.  Under  these  circumstances,  when  these 
persons  shall  cease  their  duties  they  shall  be  sent  back  to  the  enemy's  out- 
posts, under  care  of  the  occupying  army. 

ART.  4.  The  materiel  of  the  military  hospitals  remaining  subject  to  the 
laws  of  war,  the  persons  attached  to  these  hospitals  may  carry  away,  upon 

1  See  the  circular  of  the  United  States  Committee,  issued  from  New  York  in  1866, 
containing  the  Constitution,  Treaty,  etc.,  of  the  International  Society,  with  an 
historical  sketch  of  the  movement. 

2  See  note  at  page  50. 


56  INTRODUCTION. 

withdrawing,  only  that  which  is  their  own  personal  property.  In  the  same 
circumstances,  on  the  contrary,  the  ambulances  shall  preserve  its  materiel 
undisturbed. 

ART.  5.  The  inhabitants  of  the  country  who  shall  bring  aid  to  the 
wounded  shall  be  respected  and  shall  remain  undisturbed.  The  generals 
of  the  belligerent  powers  shall  inform  the  inhabitants  of  the  appeal  made 
to  their  humanity  and  of  the  neutrality  accorded  them.  Every  wounded 
soldier  cared  for  in  any  house  shall  be  a  protection  to  that  house.  The 
person  who  shall  have  received  any  of  the  wounded  into  his  house  shall  be 
excused  from  lodging  troops,  as  well  as  from  a  part  of  the  contributions  of 
war  which  shall  be  levied. 

ART.  6.  Wounded  and  sick  soldiers  shall  be  gathered  and  cared  for,  — to 
whatever  nation  they  may  belong.  The  commanders-in-chief  shall  have 
power  to  send  back  immediately  to  the  enemy's  outposts  any  of  his  soldiers 
wounded  during  the  combat, — when  circumstances  permit  it  and  both 
parties  give  their  consent.  Those  soldiers  shall  be  sent  back  to  their  own 
country  who,  after  recovery,  shall  be  considered  incapable  of  service.  The 
others  may  likewise  be  sent  back,  on  condition  of  not  taking  up  arms  again 
during  the  continuance  of  the  war.  In  the  abandonment  of  hospitals,  the 
patients  and  those  who  have  charge  of  them  shall  be  protected  by  an  abso- 
lute neutrality. 

ART.  7.  A  distinctive  and  uniform  standard  (flag)  shall  be  adopted  for 
hospitals  and  ambulances.  It  ought  in  every  case  to  be  accompanied  by  a 
national  standard.  An  arm-badge  shall  be  worn  by  the  neutral  persons, 
but  the  delivery  of  it  to  them  shall  be  left  with  the  military  authority.  The 
standard  and  the  arm-badge  shall  bear  a  red  cross  upon  a  white  ground. 

ART.  8.  The  details  of  the  execution  of  the  present  convention  shall  be 
regulated  by  the  commanders-in-chief  of  the  belligerent  armies,  according 
to  the  instructions  of  their  respective  governments,  and  conformably  to  the 
general  principles  set  forth  in  this  convention. 

ART.  9.  The  high  contracting  parties  have  agreed  to  communicate  this 
present  convention  to  the  governments  which  have  not  been  able  to  send 
ambassadors  to  the  International  Conference  of  Geneva,  inviting  them  to 
accede  to  it.  For  this  purpose  the  protocol  is  left  open. 

ART.  10.  The  present  convention  shall  be  ratified,  and  ratifications  shall 
be  exchanged,  at  Berne,  within  four  months,  or  sooner  if  possible.  As  a 
pledge  of  this,  the  respective  ambassadors  have  signed  it,  and  have  appended 
the  signet  of  their  arms. 

Done  at  Geneva,  the  24th  day  of  August,  1864. 

During  the  Schleswig-Holstein  war,  in  the  early  part  of  1864, 
considerable  religious  work  was  done  among  the  soldiers.  This 


A    GLANCE   BACKWARD.  57 

feature  of  philanthropic  and  Christian  activity,  if  not  wholly  new 
in  European  armies,  was  unusually  prominent.  The  Inner  Mis- 
sion, as  directed  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wichern,  of  Berlin,  and  others,  had 
their  laborers  in  the  field.1  The  German  Baptists  of  Hamburg, 
whose  rise  and  growth  and  zealous  propagation  of  the  gospel 
during  the  past  thirty  years  form  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
chapters  in  modern  religious  history,  were  also  prompt  in  sending 
colporteurs  among  the  soldiers.  One  or  two  brief  extracts  from 
the  very  interesting  narratives  of  these  last- mentioned  workers 
will  show  the  spirit  and  method  of  their  operations.  They  are 
given  in  the  Missionsblatt,  a  missionary  paper,  published  monthly 
in  Hamburg,  by  Rev.  Dr.  J.  G.  Oncken,  and  appeared  during 
the  first  half  of  1864.*  In  an  editorial  article  dated  March,  1864, 
the  following  summary  is  presented :  "  Of  our  mission,  ten 
brethren,  since  the  first  entrance  of  the  troops,  have  been  active 
among  them,  assisted  by  a  great  number  of  volunteers  and  by  the 
prayers  of  all  the  brethren  and  sisters.  Our  laborers  were  sent 
to  various  points,  even  outside  the  limits  of  Holstein,  where 
troops  were  collected  or  on  the  inarch,  and  they  labored  among 
more  than  a  hundred  thousand  soldiers, — German,  Hungarian, 
Italian,  Polish,  and  Danish.  The  joyous  result  of  this  missionary 
work  is  the  distribution  of  100,000  tracts,  '  Messengers  of  Peace,' 
and  Gospels,  and  the  sale3  of  nearly  5000  Testaments  in  different 
languages.  The  brethren  themselves,  as  well  as  their  books,  almost 
without  exception,  have  found  a  favorable  reception  from  officers 
and  men.  The  former  many  times  assisted  the  brethren  in  their 

1  Rev.  Dr.  Philip  Schaff  called  attention  to  this  fact.  It  is  proper  to  remark 
that  Dr.  Schaff,  by  his  Lectures  on  the  Christian  Life  of  America  during  the  Civil 
War  (Der  Biirgerkrieg  und  das  Christliche  Leben  in  Nord-Amerika),  repeatedly 
delivered  in  Germany  during  his  visit  there  in  1865,  and  afterward  published  in 
Berlin,  performed  an  admirable  service  for  his  adopted  country.  He  sketches  the 
operations  of  the  leading  Commissions  and  Societies,  and  shows  how  the  patriotic 
and  Christian  sentiment  of  the  country  sustained  the  nation  and  preserved  the 
armies. 

1  Thanks  are  due  to  Rev.  Dr.  J.  G.  Warren,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
American  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  for  the  use  of  these  periodicals. 

3  The  Testaments  were  uniformly  sold,  —  for  about  a  cent  and  a  half:  other 
books  and  the  tracts  were  given  away. 


58  INTRODUCTION. 

work,  ordering  the  under-officers  to  help  distribute,  or  to  let  the 
men  form  in  a  ring  so  as  to  make  the  distribution  easier."  Under 
date  of  February  llth,  Mr.  C.  Peters  writes  from  Mielburg,  "In 
the  eight  weeks  that  the  Danes  lay  about  here  it  was  a  joyful 
time  for  us.  Very  many  tracts  were  distributed  among  the 
soldiers.  Brother  Repsdorf,  colporteur  from  Copenhagen,  was 
here  with  Danish  Bibles  and  Testaments.  Every  evening  he 
preached  in  Danish.  We  found  an  eager  appetite  for  religious 
books,  especially  for  Testaments,  but  we  could  not  satisfy  the 
hunger  until  our  supply  was  renewed.  From  Copenhagen 
Brother  Forster  sent  us  a  large  quantity  of  Danish  tracts,  and 
from  Hamburg  we  received  about  1,400  Testaments.  So  our 
work  went  on.  On  Sunday,  January  30th,  many  brethren  and 
sisters  were  sent  off  with  Testaments  and  tracts.  Each  brother 
took  with  him  from  50  to  70  Testaments,  and  after  a  few  hours' 
work  in  the  surrounding  villages  returned  for  more."  Two 
colporteurs,  Messrs.  "Windolf  and  Peterson,  in  a  journal  of  the 
labors  of  several  days,  close  their  account  thus:  —  "In  these 
eighteen  days  the  dear  Lord  has  cared  for  us,  soul  and  body. 
He  has  prepared  the  way  for  us,  and  has  heard  the  prayers  of  his 
people  in  our  behalf.  He  enabled  us  to  distribute  9,900  Gospels, 
more  than  10,000  tracts  and  '  Messengers  of  Peace,'  and  241 
Testaments.  May  the  Lord  now  also  hear  the  prayers,  that 
many  may  be  converted."  These  humble,  earnest  men  seem  to 
have  labored  faithfully,  in  the  hospitals  and  camps,  and  on  the 
battle-fields,  wherever  the  military  authorities  would  permit, 
among  Austrians,  Prussians,  Danes,  Italians,  and  Russians,  min- 
istering incidentally  to  bodily  wants,  but  mainly  to  their  religious 
needs,  by  books,  papers,  conversation,  and  religious  services.  But 
this  must  suffice. 

The  foregoing  historical  sketch,  imperfect  and  inadequate  as 
it  manifestly  is,  will  yet  do  something  toward  showing  more 
clearly  the  peculiar  character  and  circumstances  of  our  war.  The 
war  was  accepted,  but  not  begun,  by  the  people,  for  the  mainte- 
nance of  their  own  national  existence  and  authority.  Forced  upon 


A   GLANCE   BACKWARD.  59 

them,  and  thus  made  unavoidable,  they  determined  to  secure 
every  amelioration  possible,  that  at  least  the  moral  life  of  the 
nation  might  not  be  lost  in  the  struggle.  The  experiences  and 
methods  and  mistakes  of  previous  wars  were  before  us  on  the 
pages  of  history,  and  there  was  the  purpose  to  use  them  for  the 
advantage  of  those  of  our  fellow-citizens  who  for  the  time  being 
had  become  soldiers.  The  governmental  provision  for  the  army 
was  in  advance  of  anything  before  known,  not  only  in  the 
adequacy  of  supply,  but  also  in  the  facility  of  distribution  and 
the  adaptation  to  current  wants.  The  popular  extra-govern- 
mental provision,  small  of  course  when  compared  with  the  mil- 
lions expended  by  the  government,  was  unparalleled  for  its 
abundance  and  for  the  energy  and  organization  of  its  administra- 
tion, while  its  moral  value  to  the  army  and  the  nation  was  beyond 
all  reckoning.  An  officer  of  the  British  army,  in  a  communica- 
tion published  in  the  Edinburgh  MedicalJournal  for  January,  1865, 
states: — "The  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  no  other  service 
have  been  so  well  cared  for  in  regard  to  their  creature  comforts 
as  the  Federal.  What  with  the  Sanitary,  Christian,  and  State 
Commissioners,  acting  independently  of  the  purveying  Depart- 
ments, the  requirements  of  the  army  hospitals  have  been  well 
supplied.  These  Commissioners  act  as  adjuvants  to  the  Medical 
Department;  not  professing  to  control  or  interfere  in  any  way 
with  the  arrangements  thereof,  but  only  assisting  in  ameliorating 
the  distress  of  the  sick  and  wounded." ' 

The  systematic,  continued,  and  efficient  religious  work  among 
the  soldiers  was  as  novel  as  it  was  valuable.  The  high  religious 
Character  of  the  army,  and  the  diffusion  of  a  common  Christian 
sympathy  among  all  classes  at  home  as  well  as  in  the  camp, 
which  was  one  of  the  immediate  results  of  this  work,  preserved 
alike  our  soldiers  and  our  citizens  from  the  degradation  usually 
regarded  as  the  inevitable  consequence  of  civil  war.  It  was 
generally  felt,  especially  during  the  last  two  years  of  the  war, 
that  the  Christian  character  of  a  young  man  was  as  safe  in  the 
army  as  in  any  place  out  of  it.  The  testimony  of  Mr.  William 

1  Quoted  in  Medical  News  and  Library,  Philadelphia,  March,  1865,  page  41. 


60  INTRODUCTION. 

Swinton,  whose  opportunities  of  observation  and  qualifications 
for  judging  will  not  be  questioned,  should  be  cited  upon  this 
point: — "That  there  was  abundant  badness  in  the  army  is 
indubitable,  for  where  men  abound  sin  will  abound  too.  But  it 
is  not  too  much  to  say  that  the  world  never  saw  so  moral  an  army 
as  the  mighty  host  enlisted  in  the  cause  of  the  Union ;  never 
such  an  assemblage  of  men  arrayed  for  war  with  so  little  of  those 
vices  that  are  the  canker-worm  of  armies, — drunkenness,  pro- 
fanity, and  uncleanness.  And  there  were,  besides,  a  sufficient 
number  of  men  of  such  deep  religious  character  that  they  became 
a  sweet  savor  in  the  army,  and  were  felt  as  a  positive  power." ' 

It  was  the  character  of  the  contest  and  of  our  armies  that  made 
the  Christian  sympathy  of  the  people  so  natural,  spontaneous, 
and  beneficent.  Such  popular  exhibitions  of  patriotic  and  reli- 
gious feeling  are  inconceivable  where  the  army  is  simply  an 
instrument  of  oligarchic  power,  and  war  is  for  royal  ends  alone,  — 
removed  from  the  knowledge  and  interests  of  the  people.  Hon. 
Geo.  Bancroft,  in  a  private  letter,  remarks:  —  "Nothing  like  the 
self-organized  commissions  for  the  relief  of  our  armies  ever  was 
before.  The  Christian  Commission  is  the  fruit  of  our  institu- 
tions,— could  not  grow  up,  would  not  be  allowed  to  grow  up  in 
any  nation  in  Europe,  unless  it  be  in  England,  and  could  not  there 
in  the  huge,  free,  popular  way  that  we  have  witnessed  here. 
Republicanism  proves  herself  the  friend  of  charity  and  of  reli- 
gion, and  may  the  union  endure  forever.  Go  on,  and  write 
your  noble  work; — every  word  of  it  will  be  the  eulogy  of  free 
institutions." 

Numerous  testimony  could  be  given,  if  it  were  needed,  and 
that  from  the  most  competent  witnesses,  to  the  fact  that  the  work 
of  the  Christian  Commission  was  novel  and  unique  among  all 
the  philanthropic  and  religious  movements  of  history.  To  the 
statement  of  Mr.  Bancroft  may  be  added  that  of  Rev.  Dr.  Henry 
B.  Smith,  of  New  York,  one  of  the  first  living  authorities  in  the 
department  of  ecclesiastical  history.  Also  in  a  personal  note  to 
the  writer,  he  says,  "  The  work  of  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commis- 

1  Hours  at  Home  for  February,  1866. 


A   GLANCE   BACKWARD.  61 

sion,  in  my  view,  stands  out  alone  in  the  records  of  civilization 
and  Christianity,  for  its  wise  and  far-reaching  benevolence. 
More  thoroughly  than  any  other  institution  it  has  carried  the 
spirit  and  principle  of  Christianity  to  the  battle-field.  I  hope 
that  some  person  familiar  with  all  the  facts  will  give  the  world  a 
permanent  record  of  its  method  and  achievements.  It  is  a  new 
chapter  in  Church  History." 


ANNALS 


UNITED    STATES 

CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PRELIMINARY   MOVEMENTS. 

THE  relation  of  piety  to  patriotism  is  vital,  as  is 
abundantly  illustrated  in  history.  This  fact  cannot  be 
overlooked,  without  leading  to  a  serious  misapprehension 
of  the  lessons  of  history  and  the  changes  of  human 
society.  "It  is  a  scathing  comment  on  the  influence 
of  skepticism  upon  a  people,  that,  in  general,  the  highest 
feeling  of  nationality  is  coexistent  with  the  devoutest 
piety.  It  is  the  very  nature  of  infidelity  to  deaden  the 
emotions  of  patriotism,  and  that  country  can  hardly 
expect  to  prove  successful  which  engages  in  war  while 
its  citizens  are  imbued  with  religious  doubt."1 

The  recent  civil  war  in  the  United  States  was  preceded 
and  attended  by  great  religious  prosperity.  The  nation 
was  thus  providentially  supplied  with  the  moral  earnest- 
ness and  power  needed  for  the  terrible  conflict. 

1  Hurst's  History  of  Rationalism,  page  222 ;  see  also  pages  82,  83. 


64  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  years  1857-'8  witnessed  a  religious  awakening 
of  unparalleled  extent  and  power  throughout  the  United 
States.  In  the  light  of  subsequent  events  that  period 
becomes  invested  with  new  significance.  It  was  the 
preparation  of  the  nation  and  the  church  for  the  hour 
of  trial.  The  awakening  had  its  most  striking  outward 
manifestation  in  the  daily  prayer-meetings,  first  estab- 
lished in  New  York  City,  in  the  autumn  of  1857.  It 
was  during  the  terrible  financial  disorder  which  reached 
its  crisis  on  the  14th  of  October,  in  an  overwhelming 
panic  that  prostrated  the  whole  monetary  system  of  the 
country,  virtually  in  one  hour.  Those  who  were  in- 
volved in  it  can  never  forget  the  intensity  of  the  struggle. 
There  was  a  universal  agony  of  anxiety,  as  all  eyes 
watched  the  financial  fluctuations  of  the  great  commer- 
cial metropolis,  as  men  might  watch  a  rising  deluge,  and 
the  catastrophe  brought  with  the  ruin  an  unutterable 
sense  of  relief.  From  the  centre  of  the  disaster  there 
came  forth  a  most  gracious  healing.  Before  the  panic 
occurred,  "  while  the  conflict  for  life  was  yet  intense,  an 
humble  Christian,  unheard  of  in  Wall  street,  had  been 
prompted  to  do  something  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed 
merchants  of  the  city.  He  was  a  down-town  missionary, 
sustained  by  the  Keformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  in 
William  street,  to  explore  the  surrounding  field,  visit 
the  sick  and  poor,  and  bring  in  the  inhabitants  and 
strangers  to  the  house  of  God.  While  walking  down 
town  one  day,  he  conceived  the  thought  that  an  hour  of 
prayer  could  be  profitably  employed  by  the  business 
men, — no  one  being  required  to  remain  the  whole  hour, 
but  each  coming  in  and  going  out  at  his  convenience. 
He  mentioned  the  idea  to  one  or  two  persons ;  no  one 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  65 

thought  much  of  it;  he  resolved,  however,  to  carry  it 
out.  The  appointed  time  came ;  three  persons  met  in  a 
little  room  on  the  third  floor,  in  the  consistory  building 
in  the  rear  of  the  church,  and  prayer  was  there  offered. 
Mr.  Lanphier1  (the  missionary)  presided,  and  one  clergy- 
man was  present.  The  next  meeting  was  composed  of 
six  persons;  the  next  of  twenty.  The  next  meeting  was 
held  in  the  middle  room  on  the  second  floor,  and  now 
on  every  Wednesday  noon  the  Business  Men's  Prayer- 
Meeting  attracted  increasing  numbers.  Its  striking  fit- 
ness and  evident  usefulness  were  noticed  in  the  news- 
papers, secular  and  religious,  and  the  suggestion  was 
earnestly  made  that  it  should  be  opened  every  day, 
instead  of  weekly.  This  was  promptly  done,  and  the 
meeting  overflowed  and  filled  £  second,  and  eventually 

1  This  first  meeting  was  held  on  Wednesday,  September  23d,  1857.  Mr. 
Lanphier  had  been  a  merchant.  He  understood  the  needs  of  the  class  he  sought 
to  help,  and  knew  that  the  hour  of  noon  was  one  of  comparative  leisure  for  all 
business  men  and  their  assistants.  In  a  private  note  dated  October  5th,  1866, 
Mr.  Lanphier  writes,  "I  consulted  with  no  person  and  no  person  consulted 
with  me  about  that  meeting  until  I  had  determined  to  establish  it ;  when  I 
applied  for  and  obtained  permission  to  use  the  room  for  that  purpose.  I  then 
appointed  vhe  time  for  holding  the  first  meeting,  and  immediately  after  com- 
menced giving  notice  of  it,  by  cards  and  letters  and  handbills,  and  made  per- 
sonal applications  to  Christians  to  attend  it.  I  found  little  or  no  encouragement 
from  any  of  them,  and,  during  the  time  which  elapsed  between  my  determina- 
tion to  establish  it  and  the  time  of  the  first  meeting,  nothing  occurred  to  give 
me  the  least  hope  of  Christian  sympathy  or  support.  But  my  firm  reliance 
and  trust  were  in  God,  feeling  in  my  inmost  soul  that  my  purpose  was,  in  this 
humble  way  of  prayer,  to  honor  Him  and  become  the  instrument  of  His  bless- 
ing to  the  souls  of  men.  I  had  been  accustomed  to  be  in  that  room  for  prayer 
before  the  day  on  which  the  first  meeting  was  appointed  to  be  held,  and  some- 
times one  or  two,  and  once  three,  were  there  with  me.  But  on  that  day,  not- 
withstanding the  great  pains  I  had  taken  to  make  it  public,  I  was  there  alone 
with  Jesus  for  half  an  hour  after  the  time  appointed,  before  any  person  entered 
the  room.  In  the  last  half  hour  five  other  persons  came  in.  What  has  followed 
is  matter  of  history,  known  to  many." 


66  AXXALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

a  third  room  in  the  same  building; — making  three 
crowded  prayer-meetings,  one  above  another,  in  animated 
progress  at  one  and  the  same  hour.  The  seats  were  all 
filled,  and  the  passages  and  entrances  began  to  be  choked 
with  numbers,  rendering  it  scarcely  possible  to  pass  in 
or  out.  The  hundreds  who  daily  went  away,  disap- 
pointed of  admission,  created  a  visible  demand  for  more 
room,  and  the  John  Street  Methodist  Church  and  lecture- 
room  were  both  opened  for  daily  noon  prayer-meetings, 
by  a  committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, and  were  crowded  at  once  with  attendants.  Meet- 
ings were  multiplied  in  other  parts  of  the  city,  and  the 
example  spread  to  Philadelphia,  to  Boston,  and  to  other 
cities,  until  scarcely  a  town  of  importance  in  the  United 
States,  save  a  few  in  the*South,  was  without  the  Business 
Men's  Daily  Prayer  Meeting."1 

The  public  interest  in  religion  was  unprecedented. 
The  entire  nation  seemed  to  be  the  scene  of  one  vast 
revival.  The  secular  papers  were  filled  with  reports  of 
the  meetings.  The  telegraph  was  daily  used  by  the 
various  assemblies  to  communicate  intelligence  and  inter- 
change salutations.  Business  letters  were  vehicles  of 
religious  news  and  religious  exhortations.  All  denomi- 
nations were  at  work,  and  all  classes  of  people  were 
interested.  The  legislators  at  the  capitol,  the  mechanics 
in  their  shops,  the  firemen  in  their  engine  houses,  the 
waiters  in  the  restaurants,  had  their  daily  seasons  of 
associated  prayer.  One  man  testified  that  by  "  adding 
his  personal  observations  to  those  of  a  friend,  he  could 
say,  that  from  Omaha  City,  Nebraska,  to  Washington 

1  Narratives  of  Conversions  and  Revival  Incidents.     By  William  C.  Conant. 
Published  in  1858.     See  page  357,  etc. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  67 

City,  there  was  a  line  of  prayer-meetings  along  the  whole 
IciKjth  of  the  road;  so  that  wherever  the  Christian 
traveller  stopped  to  spend  the  evening,  he  could  find  ;i 
crowded  prayer-meeting,  across  the  entire  breadth  of 
our  vast  republic."1  The  number  of  cities  and  villages 
in  which  the  great  awakening  was  in  simultaneous  pro- 
gress was  not  less  than  two  thousand,  by  actual  count.'2' 
The  accessions  to  the  churches  at  that  time  it  is  impos- 
sible to  tell,  for  no  record  was  attempted.  In  the  city 
of  Now  York  alone  the  additions  were  estimated  at  two 
thousand  per  month,  for  the  first  three  months  of  1858.3 
This  wide-spread  religious  activity,  with  more  or  less 
of  fluctuation  in  different  sections  of  the  country,  con- 
tinued until  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion.  There  were 
numerous  revivals  and  many  conversions  in  the  years 
1859  and  1860.  Some  of  the  daily  meetings  were 
maintained  entirely  through  the  war,  and  are  still  in 
operation.  It  is  hence  impossible  not  to  recognize  the 
immediate  and  immense  influence  of  the  prevalent  and 
zealous  Christian  life  in  the  nation  upon  the  shaping  of 
the  events  which  preceded  the  war,  as  well  as  upon  the 
character  of  the  troops  sent  to  the  field,  and  the  volun- 
tary agencies  organized  for  the  temporal  and  spiritual 
welfare  of  the  army.  We  should  not  otherwise  have 
been  ready  for  the  conflict.  It  will  be  found  also  that 
the  wonderful  religious  interest  which  pervaded  the 
army  during  the  whole  of  the  war  was  the  continuance 
of  the  previous  revival,  and  was  sustained  by  the  elevated 
feeling  and  apt  instrumentalities  which  that  revival  had 
produced.4 

1  Narratives,  etc.,  p.  374.  2  Ibid.,  p.  415.  3  Ibid.,  41 7. 

*  See  Christ  in  the  Army,  p.  17. 


68  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

It  seems  desirable  to  notice,  with  such  brevity  as  may 
be  compatible  with  clearness,  those  preliminary  move- 
ments of  individual  and  associated  benevolence  for  the 
bodily  comfort  and  spiritual  care  of  the  soldiers,  which 
showed  the  necessity  and  prepared  the  way  for  the 
organization  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission. 
This  is  the  more  appropriate  because  the  Commission, 
taking  the  field  a  little  later  than  some  other  agencies, 
did  a  service  peculiar  to  itself,  filling  a  place  wholly 
unoccupied,  and  becoming  complementary  to  existing 
instrumentalities,  whether  governmental  or  voluntary. 

President  Lincoln  was  inaugurated  March  4,  1861. 
Fort  Sumter  was  bombarded  April  13  and  14.  The 
proclamation  of  the  President,  calling  forth  "the  militia 
of  the  several  States  of  the  Union  to  the  aggregate 
number  of  75,000,"  and  convening  both  houses  of 
Congress  in  extra  session,  was  issued  April  15.  The 
people  were  ready  for  the  call,  and  immediately,  around 
the  entire  circle  of  the  loyal  States,  the  response  was 
hearty  and  full.  Who  that  saw  it  can  ever  forget  the 
blaze  of  enthusiasm  which  shot  up  over  all  the  land, 
the  eagerness  with  which  men  offered  themselves,  and 
the  disappointment  of  those  who  could  not  be  accepted  ? 
On  the  evening  of  the  last  day  named,  April  15,  the 
Massachusetts  troops  began  to  assemble  in  Boston,  and 
early  on  the  day  following  the  four  regiments  called  out 
in  that  State  "  were  on  Boston  Common,  mustered  in 
regular  order,  with  banners  flying  and  bayonets  gleam- 
ing, and  each  company  with  full  ranks."1 

Popular  attention  to  the  physical  and  religious  wants 

1  Lossing's  Pictorial  History  of  the  Oivil  War,  Vol.  I,  p.  401. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  6# 

of  the  volunteers  was  as  prompt  as  was  their  response 
to  the  President's  call.  The  first  men  to  reach  Wash- 
ington were  from  Pennsylvania.  They  composed  five 
companies- from  the  interior  of  the  State, — Pottsville, 
Reading,  Lewistown,  and  Allentown.  They  had  not 
yet  been  organized  into  a  regiment,  and  were  without 
arms.  They  arrived  in  Washington,  by  way  of  Harris- 
burg  and  Baltimore,  on  the  evening  of  April  18,  and 
were  quartered  in  the  Capitol.  They  found  an  eager 
expectation  and  a  most  enthusiastic  reception.  They 
were  visited  and  supplied  with  religious  reading  by  Mr. 
William  Ballantyne,  bookseller,  and  his  associates  of 
the  Washington  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.1 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  day  preceding  the  arrival  at 
Washington  of  the  above  Pennsylvania  troops, — April 
17, — the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers,— Colonel  Jones,  of  Lowell, — left  Boston  for  the 
same  city,  by  way  of  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and 
Baltimore.  They  wrere  visited  in  New  York  by  Mr. 
Vincent  Colyer,  who  found  them  supplied  with  Testa- 
ments.2 

1  Mr.   Ballantyne,   in    referring   to   this   first   religious   work   among   these 
first  troops  in  Washington,  writes:  —  "Time  hung  heavy  on  their  hands,  and 
they  had  nothing  to  read.     We  took  all  the  tracts  we  had  in  stock,  and  used 
them  up.     Having  a  large  number  of  the  Family  Christian  Almanac  of  a  former 
year  on  hand,  I  had  the  young  men  in  the  store  cut  out  the  calendar  part,  and 
stin-li  ;i  brown  paper  cover  over  the  reading  portion,  which  made  an  excellent 
tract,  and  so  distribute  them.     The  men  were  also  supplied  with  Testaments, 
and  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Butler,  pastor  of  the  English  Lutheran  Church,  preached 
to  them."     Mr.  Ballantyne,  thus  early  in  the  field,  remained  an  efhVk'iit  worker 
through  the  war.    (See  further  at  pp.  296-'8.) 

2  Mr.  Colyer,  whose  name  occupies  a  conspicuous  place  in  these  early  move- 
ments, and  who  has  kindly  forwarded  a  full  and  interest  ins;  record  of  his  labors, 
\vriii  -:--"  My  first  visit  to  the  soldiers  was  to  the  Sixtli   Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers, on  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  April,  1861,  while  they  were  halting  for 


70  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

On  the  day  following,  Friday,  April  19,  these  Massa- 
chusetts troops  were  attacked  in  the  streets  of  Balti- 
more ;  three  men  were  killed  outright,  and  one  mortally 
wounded.  The  regiment  reached  Washington  that 
evening,  many  of  them  having  lost  their  baggage, 
in  which  were  their  Testaments.  On  this  becoming 
known  to  Mr.  Ballantyne,  on  the  following  Sabbath,  the 
want  was  at  once  supplied.  Similar  labors  were  per- 
formed for  the  various  bodies  of  troops  as  they  succes- 
sively arrrived  in  Washington,  and  took  up  their 
encampments  in  and  around  the  city. 

"The  women  of  Bridgeport,  Connnecticut,  met  to- 
gether to  roll  bandages  and  prepare  lint  as  early  as  the 
loth  of  April,  1861." l  On  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day  "Miss  Almena  B.  Bates,  of  Charlestown,  Massa- 
chusetts, read  the  President's  call  for  men,  and  the  idea 
at  once  occurred  to  her  that  some  of  the  men  must  go 
from  Charlestown,  and  that  they  would  need  aid  and 
comfort  from  home."  A  paper  was  soon  drawn  up, 
after  conference  with  others,  "  proposing  the  formation 
of  a  relief  society,  and  setting  forth  its  objects.  This 
paper  was  signed  by  a  large  number  of  ladies  on  the 
19th  of  April,  the  day  of  the  attack  upon  the  Massa- 
chusetts troops  in  Baltimore.  A  constitution  was  read 
and  adopted,  and  a  board  of  officers  for  the  year  was 
chosen  on  the  22d."2 

breakfast  in  New  York  City,  at  the  Metropolitan  and  St  Nicholas  Hotels,  on 
their  way  to  the  defense  of  Washington.  I  found  them  well  supplied  with 
Testaments,  etc.,  —  given  to  them  by  the  ladies  of  Concord,  Massachusetts."  This 
supply  of  Testaments  at  Concord  is  the  earliest  known  public  religious  minis- 
tration to  the  soldiers  after  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  The  work  thus  fittingly 
began  with  the  Christian  women  of  America,  and  was  sustained  to  the  end 
largely  by  the  constancy  of  their  devotion  and  zeal. 

1  Goodrich's  Tribute  Book,  p.  112.  2  Ibid.,  p.  112. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  71 

The  "  first  subscription  list  to  which  the  rebellion 
gave  birth*"  was  in  New  York  City,  April  17,  headed 
by  Moses  H.  Grinnell,  consisting  in  all  of  thirty-one 
names,  for  one  hundred  dollars  each,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Seventh  New  York  Regiment.1 

The  first  public  subscription  strictly  for  the  personal 
relief  of  the  soldiers  was  of  one  hundred  dollars,  made 
by  Judge  N.  Crosby,  of  Lowell,  Massachusetts,  on  the 
morning  of  April  18.  The  letter  which  enclosed  the 
gift  is  of  historical  importance,  and  worthy  of  preserva- 
tion here: — 

LOWELL,  April  18,  1861. 

MR.  MAYOR:  —  Southern  treason  has  at  last  culminated  in  seizing 
Fort  Sumter,  and  we  have  no  choice  left  us  but  to  meet  the  traitors 
wherever  they  may  present  themselves.  Rumor  has  become  fact. 
Our  men  have  been  called  and  have  left  us.  More  will  undoubtedly 
soon  follow.  They  have  left  us  at  the  tap  of  the  drum,  without 
wavering  and  without  preparation.  They  have  left  homes  without 
shutting  their  doors,  friends  without  adieus,  and  their  hammers  upon 
their  benches.  We  must  comfort  those  friends  and  prevent  loss  in 
their  business.  We  who  stay  at  home  can  well  afford  to  do  all  this 
for  them,  and  make  our  sacrifices  in  money,  and  thus  care  for  our 
country,  our  constitution,  and  laws.  The  burden  of  this  struggle 
must  rest  upon  every  man's  shoulders  in  some  form.  I  am  willing 
to  meet  my  full  share  of  it.  Let  us  have  a  large  committee  of  men 
and  women,  to  be  called  the  "Nightingale  Band,"  who  shall  gather 
and  distribute  funds  to  the  families  of  soldiers  who  need,  and  furnish 
paymasters  of  our  regiments  with  money  and  such  supplies  for  the 
sick  and  wounded  in  camp  as  rations  and  medicine-chests  cannot 
bestow.  As  some  of  our  men  may  at  once  need  such  funds  in  camp, — 
a  new  exposure  and  life  to  them, —  please  accept  my  first  contribu- 
tion ($100),  and  send  it  to  Lieutenant  Plaisted,  paymaster  of  Colonel 
Jones'  regiment,2  for  the  last-named  purpose. 

Yours  very  truly,  N.  CROSBY. 

1  See  the  list,  in  Goodrich's  Tribute  Book,  p.  29.     2  The  Sixth  Massachusetts. 


72  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

This  letter  strengthened  and  directed  the  public 
feeling.  The  City  Council  added  $500  or  $600,  and 
forwarded  it  at  once  to  the  regiment.  A  public  meeting 
was  called  on  the  19th  and  held  on  the  20th,1  at  which 
a  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  was  formed.  This  society  is 
remarkable,  not  only  for  being  organized  so  early  and 
proving  very  efficient,  but  also  for  having  at  the  outset 
a  well-digested  and  comprehensive  plan.  It  included 
both  sanitary  and  religious  ministrations.  The  meeting- 
was  called  on  the  day  named,  by  the  Mayor,  "  for  the 
purpose  of  initiating  measures  for  the  comfort,  encour- 
agement, and  relief  of  citizen  soldiers."  Twenty  men 
were  present.  Judge  Crosby,  one  of  the  twenty,  pre- 
sented the  following  memorandum  of  methods  by  which 
assistance  could  be  rendered  :  — 

"1.  By  gathering  such  funds  and  supplies  as  may  be  necessary. 

"  2.  By  supplying  nurses  for  the  sick  or  wounded  when  and  as  far 
as  practicable. 

"  3.  By  bringing  home  such  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  as  may  be 
proper. 

"4.  By  purchasing  clothing,  provisions,  and  matters  of  comfort 
which  rations  and  camp  allowances  may  not  provide,  and  which 
would  contribute  to  the  soldier's  happiness. 

"  5.  By  placing  in  camp  such  Bibles,  books,  and  papers,  as  would 
instruct  and  amuse  their  days  of  rest  and  quiet,  and  keep  them 
informed  of  passing  events. 

"  6.  By  gathering  the  dates  and  making  a  record  of  the  name  and 
history  of  each  soldier  and  his  services. 

"  7.  By  holding  constant  communication  with  paymasters  or  other 
officers  of  our  regiments,  that  friends  may  interchange  letters  and 
packages."2 

1  A  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  was  formed  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  April  20. 

2  See  the  Memorandum  in- Goodrich's  Tribute  Book,  page  71.     In  a  personal 
letter  from  Judge  Crosby,  dated  October  20,  1866,  he  thus  refers  to  the  above 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  73 

Philadelphia,  lying  in  the  immediate  pathway  of  the 
troops  passing  from  the  North  to  Washington,  was  not 
slow  in  showing  her  interest  in  their  welfare.  The 
subjoined  memorandum  from  Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor, 
then  Pastor  of  the  Third  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
Philadelphia,  now  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  records  the  earliest  public 
movement,  so  far  as  known,  in  that  city:  — 

"  On  Sabbath,  April  21st,  1861,  after  sermon,  in  the  conclusion  of 
which  an  appeal  was  made  for  our  distressed  country,  I  read  to 
the  congregation  the  following  note,  which  was  sent  me  just  before 

service  :  — 

"  '  PHILADELPHIA,  April  20,  1861. 

" '  REV.  MR.  TAYLOR  : — 

'"Dear  Sir:  It  is  understood  that  a  hospital  will  be  forthwith 
opened  in  this  city,  for  the  reception  of  the  sick  and  wounded  of  our 
army,  and  it  is  proposed  that  the  ladies  of  the  several  churches  should 
meet  early  next  week,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  preparation  of 
bedding,  bandages,  lint,  etc.  To  perfect  such  arrangements,  and 
secure  concert  of  action,  it  is  requested  that  in  each  church  one  or 
more  ladies  should  be  appointed  to  attend  a  general  meeting,  at  such 
time  and  place  as  shall  be  made  known  through  the  papers. 


subscription  and  meeting :  —  "  The  meeting  was  the  joint  effort  of  the  Mayor 
and  myself,  called  on  the  19th  and  held  on  the  20th  of  April,  by  special  invita- 
tion. I  presented  the  memorandum  and  made  extended  remarks,  going  over 
the  whole  ground.  The  meeting  was  enthusiastic,  and  resulted  in  the  collec- 
tion of  abundant  funds  and  gratuitous  labors,  in  furnishing  the  varied  supplies 
for  outfit  and  field  comforts. 

"  If  I  recollect  right,  Mr.  Goodrich  settles  the  question  by  giving  the  first 
$100  against  me,  on  the  ground  that  certain  gentlemen  in  the  city  of  New  York 
gave  each  $100  on  the  llth.  I  think  the  distinction  is  this,  — the  money  sub- 
scribed in  New  York  was  to  raise  and  equij)  men,  my  subscription  was  wholly 
sanitary,  contemplating  just  the  field  occupied  by  your  society.  If  this  distinc- 
tion,—this  difference  in  object,  —  places  my  $100  first  in  your  judgim-nt,  I 
shall  not  object  to  the  credit.  At  any  rate  I  am  content  with  the  great  p>od 
my  subscription  and  efforts  at  the  time  accomplished  for  the  soldier,  by  stirring 
the  community  to  watch  for  and  relieve  his  wants." 
10 


74  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

" '  This  work  of  charity  has  received  the  hearty  approval  of  many 
ladies,  but  was  proposed  too  late  for  a  notice  in  the  evening  papers, 
and  as  the  suddenness  of  the  emergency  forbids  the  delay  of  another 
week,  the  notice  from  the  pulpit,  if  not  the  best,  is  now  the  only  prac- 
ticable plan.  You  are  therefore  respectfully  requested  to  call  such  a 
meeting  of  the  ladies  of  your  church. 
" '  Very  respectfully, 

" '  MRS.  ISRAEL  BISSELL, 

"  '  Miss  ELIZA  AUSTIN, 

" '  MRS.  S.  CALHOUN, 

'"Per  E.  M.  HARRIS,  1116  Pine  Street.' 

"  I  shall  never  forget  the  impression,"  continues  Dr.  Taylor, 
"made  upon  the  audience  by  the  simple  reading  of  this  notice. 
Pastor  and  people  burst  into  tears  together.  It  was  absolutely  over- 
powering. No  blood  had  yet  been  shed.  After  the  service  some 
even  doubted  whether  there  would  be  any  fighting.  I  was  told  by 
two  or  three  persons  that  it  was  a  premature  notice,  and  produced 
needless  alarm  and  anxiety  among  the  people.  But  it  was  the  first 
foreshadowing  in  our  church  of  the  actual  preparation  at  home  for 
the  awful  carnage  that  attended  the  great  rebellion.  The  call  was 
cordially  responded  to  by  a  number  of  ladies,  in  our  lecture-room, 
the  next  morning  at  11  o'clock. 

"  Out  of  this  and  similar  spontaneous  movements  among  the 
churches  of  Philadelphia,  grew  the  Ladies'  Aid  Societies  of  the  city, 
— noble  heralds  and  aids  of  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commissions. 
These  meetings  continued  for  several  weeks,  until  the  Ladies'  Aid,1 

1  Probably  no  local  society  in  the  country  was  quite  equal  in  efficiency  and 
fruitfulness  to  the  Philadelphia  "  Ladies'  Aid."  Among  the  first  in  the  field, 
it  did  not  retire  until  the  work  was  done.  Its  affairs  were  managed  with  great 
wisdom  and  success.  Over  $24,000  in  cash  were  raised  and  expended,  besides 
large  supplies  of  stores, — averaging  in  value  over  $20,000  each  vear.  But 
above  all  were  the  priceless  labors  of  its  secretary,  Mrs.  Dr.  John  Harris,  and 
her  associates  in  the  armies  East  and  West.  Nothing  that  woman  could  do  was 
left  undone  by  Mrs.  Harris,  and  much  was  done  by  her  that  few  others  would 
have  thought  of  or  attempted.  Her  semi-annual  reports  are  among  the  most 
interesting  documents  produced  by  the  war.  In  the  early  days  of  the  Christian 
Commission  the  "  Ladies'  Aid"  was  of  immense  service  to  it  in  many  ways. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  75 

which  made  its  headquarters  at  Dr.  Boardman's  church,  absorbed 

this  and  the  local  church  efforts  in  its  broad  charities." 

On  Monday,  April  22,  Mr.  John  Patterson,  of  Phila- 
delphia, made  his  first1  visit  to  the  army, — probably  the 
very  first  occasion  of  the  war  on  which  any  one  left  his 
home  to  go  abroad  in  search  of  soldiers  and  to  min- 
ister to  them.  Prompted  by  his  own  desire,  and  encour- 
aged in  his  purpose  by  a  number  of  friends,  he  visited 
the  troops  lying  at  Havre  de  Grace,  Annapolis,  Relay 
House,  and  Baltimore.  He  found  those  at  Havre  de 
Grace  especially  suffering  from  exposure,  and  their  first 
request  was  for  a  load  of  straw.  "  The  request  was  made 
known  in  Philadelphia  at  once,  and  not  only  the  load  of 
straw,  but  blankets,  mattrasses,  and  other  necessaries 
were  immediately  forwarded."  The  Philadelphia  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  soon  after  organized  an 
Army  Committee  for  local  work. 

A  Ladies'  Relief  Society  was  also  organized  in  Orange, 
New  Jersey,  April  22, — the  movement  being  very  simi- 
lar to  the  one  already  noticed  in  Philadelphia.  It  re- 
mained independent  and  proved  itself  very  efficient 
throughout  the  war.  It  made  the  first  contribution  of 
stores  received  by  the  Ladies'  Central  Association  of  New 
York, — a  box  being  sent  to  them  on  the  4th  of  May. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Chicago 
was  prompt  in  recognizing  and  responding  to  the  neces- 
sities of  the  hour.  In  their  Eighth  Annual  Report 
(May,  18G6)  they  give  the  following  historical  facts:— 

1  Mr.  Patterson's  faithful,  valuable,  and  gratuitous  services  for  the  Christian 
Commission,  extending  through  its  entire  history,  in  various  responsible  rela- 
tions, were  frequently  acknowledged  by  the  Executive  Committee,  and  endeared 
him  to  multitudes  of  soldiers  and  others. 


76  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

"  The  efforts  of  the  Association  in  behalf  of  our  soldiers  and  our 
country,  date  from  the  beginning  of  the  war.  On  Sabbath,  the  14th 
of  April,  1861,  Fort  Sumter  was  surrendered.  One  week  from  that 
day,  Sabbath,  April  21st,  the  first  public  meeting  was  held  in  Na- 
tional Hall  (where  President  Lincoln  was  nominated),  convened  by 
a  call  of  the  Association,  and  presided  over  by  its  President,  Mr.  J. 
V.  Farwell.  A  number  of  the  members  of  the  Association  were 
among  the  first  who  responded  to  the  call  for  75,000  men,  and  on  the 
4th  of  May  the  first  public  presentation  of  a  flag  was  made  by  the 
President  of  the  Association  to  Captain  Barker's  Dragoons,1  and  the 
same  afternoon  a  second  meeting  was  held.  Upon  the  occupation 
of  Cairo  (April  25,  1861)  by  our  troops,  a  meeting  of  clergymen  was 
called  to  provide  for  sending  delegates  from  their  number  to  preach 
to  our  troops  there,  until  provision  could  be  made  for  chaplains. 
Several  of  our  city  pastors  and  laymen  were  sent,  some  of  them 
following  the  advance  guard  of  our  army  into  Missouri.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  the  names  of  all  such  were  not  recorded,  and  cannot 
now  be  recalled  ;  but  prominent  among  them  were  Rev.  E.  F.  Dick- 
inson, and  Rev.  E.  Folsorn.  During  the  last  of  May,  Messrs.  D.  L. 
Moody  and  B.  F.  Jacobs,  of  the  '  Committee  on  Devotional  Meet- 
ings,' commenced  a  series  of  meetings  with  the  soldiers  in  camp  near 
this  city,  and  from  the  commencement  the  interest  in  these  meetings 
was  very  great.  To  supply  an  immediate  demand  for  hymn  books,  an 
edition  of  3,500  was  printed  from  plates  of  the  Sabbath  School  Union. 
The  work  enlarging,  an  Association  Army  Committee  was  appointed, 
by  adding  the  names  of  Mr.  J.  V.  Farwell  as  Chairman,  and  Mr.  Tut- 
hill  King,  to  the  previous  committee.  The  meetings  at  the  camp  con- 
tinued to  increase  in  interest  until  as  many  as  eight  or  ten  were  held 
each  evening,  and  hundreds  were  led  to  seek  Christ." 

On  the  25th  of  April,  as  the  result  of  previous  invita- 
tions, a  meeting  of  fifty  or  sixty  ladies  was  held  in  New 

1  "This  company  was  invited  to  a  benefit  at  a  theatre,  —  the  proceeds  to  be 
donated  to  the  equipment  of  the  company.  The  offer  was  very  tempting,  as 
the  expenses,  including  the  purchase  of  horses,  were  heavy.  But  when  the 
captain  put  the  vote  to  the  company,  not  a  single  man  voted  for  the  theatre. 
They  resolved  to  have  the  daily  prayer-meeting  instead."  —  Rev.  Dr.  Robert 
Patterson,  in  Christ  in  the  Army,  p.  18. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  77 

York  City,  at  the  "  Infirmary  for  Women,"  at  which  a 
Central  Relief  Association  was  suggested.  Measures 
were  taken  to  secure  further  information  and  a  larger 
attendance,  an  address  was  prepared,  and  the  women  of 
New  York  were  asked  to  assemble  in  council  at  the 
Cooper  Institute,  on  the  morning  of  the  29th.  "  The 
response  was  ample.  No  such  gathering  of  women  had 
ever  been  seen  in  this  country.  David  Dudley  Field 
presided,  and  the  object  of  the  meeting  was  explained 
by  Rev.  H.  W.  Bellows,  D.  D.,  when  the  assemblage  was 
addressed  by  Mr.  Hamlin,  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States,  and  others.  Then  a  benevolent  organization 
was  effected,  under  the  title  of  The  Women's  Central 
Association  for  Relief.  Auxiliary  associations  of  women 
were  formed  in  all  parts  of  the  Free-labor  States,  and 
when  wounds  and  sickness  appealed  for  relief,  a  few 
weeks  later,  a  general  system  for  the  purpose  was  so 
well  organized,  that  all  demands  were  at  first  promptly 
met."1  This  society  "contained  the  germ  of  what  was 
afterwards  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission,"  which  was 
organized  in  June,  1861.  The  first  formal  request  for 
such  a  Commission  was  in  an  address  to  the  Secretary  of 
War,  dated  May  18, — after  two  days  spent  by  the  peti- 
tioners (Rev.  Dr.  Bellows,  with  Drs.  W.  H.  Van  Buren, 
Elisha  Harris,  and  Jacob  Harsen,  acting  as  a  committee 
from  societies  in  New  York)  in  consultation  with  the 
military  and  medical  authorities  at  Washington.  Secre- 
tary Cameron's  approval  was  given  June  9,  and  Presi- 
dent Lincoln's  June  13.  On  this  latter  day  the  plan  of 

1  Logging's  Civil  War,  Vol.  I,  p.  575.  See  History  of  the  Sanitary  Commis- 
sion, chapter  II ;  Goodrich's  Tribute  Book,  pp.  72-76 ;  Rebellion  Record,  Vol.  I, 
document  p.  158. 


78  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

organization  was  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War  and 
officially  endorsed  by  him. 

Religious  labors  were  begun  and  religions  services 
established  in  the  camps  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  April, 
1861.  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw1  was  prominent,  although 
not  alone,  in  these, — receiving  the  hearty  cooperation 
of  the  officers  in  command,  and  being  welcomed  by  the 
soldiers.  The  first  meeting  in  Camp  Harrison  was  held 
on  Friday  evening,  April  26,  "  in  front  of  the  quarters 
of  Captain  Erwin,  Co.  E,  Sixth  O.  V.  I."  In  Mr.  C's 
journal  of  the  period  referred  to  it  is  noted,  "  We  have 
prayer-meeting  at  8  o'clock  every  night.  It  is  sustained 
by  the  soldiers,  and  is  exerting  a  blessed  influence  for 
good."  Later,  at  Camp  Dennison  under  date  of  May 
27,  is  this  noteworthy  record  : — "Visited  the  tents,  dis- 
tributing tracts  and  religious  papers,  kindly  furnished  by 
friends.  At  3  o'clock  p.  M.  preached  to  a  very  large 
audience ;  some  thirty  officers  were  on  the  platform,  and 
my  congregation  seated  on  the  green  sod, — attentive 
hearers  of  the  glorious  Gospel.  Later  in  the  afternoon 
I  found  in  the  barracks  of  the  '  Oberlin  Rifles '  a  Bible 
class  of  forty  members;  about  one-half  of  them  had 
the  Greek  Testament.  This  company  in  the  Seventh  O. 
V.  I.  is  made  up  of  collegiate  and  theological  students 
from  Oberlin, — pious  and  earnest  young  men."  Mr.  C. 
further  says:  —  "The  Young  Men's  Bible  Society  of 
Cincinnati  furnished  me  with  Testaments  for  distribution, 

1  Mr.  Chidlaw,  during  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1861,  was  chaplain  of  the 
Thirty-ninth  Ohio  Regiment,  and  showed  by  his  own  example  how  much  a 
faithful  chaplain  could  do,  even  before  the  benevolence  of  the  country  was 
organized,  in  ministering  to  the  bodily  and  spiritual  necessities  of  the  soldiers. 
He  was  afterward  intimately  connected  with  the  work  of  the  Christian  Cora- 
mission,  in  the  operations  of  the  Cincinnati  Branch. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  79 

and  employed  a  colporteur  who  labored  faithfully  for 
many  months.  We  needed  hymn  books,  and  in  response 
to  my  application,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion of  New  York  sent  me  several  thousand  copies  of 
the  'Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Hymn  Book,' — just  what  we 
needed  and  what  the  soldiers  always  gladly  received  and 
carefully  preserved. '  Ministers  and  laymen  from  Cincin- 
nati and  vicinity,  through  their  influence  and  by  personal 
labor,  did  much  to  promote  the  spiritual  improvement 
of  our  brave  men  in  these  camps  of  instruction." 

In  Baltimore,  on  the  4th  of  May,  1861,  the  "  Balti- 
more Christian  Association"  was  organized.  It  was 
designed  to  meet  all  the  forms  of  need,  bodily  and 
spiritual,  among  the  soldiers  in  camp  and  hospital,  within 
and  around  the  city.  The  families  of  soldiers  were  also 
assisted.  Mr.  G.  S.  Griffith  was  active  in  the  formation  of 
this  society,  and  was  made  its  President.  The  position 
of  Baltimore  upon  the  direct  route  by  which  the  first 
troops  reached  Washington,  and  its  proximity  to  the  seat 
of  war,  gave  early  employment  to  the  Association.  Its 
active  members  soon  numbered  fifty,  and  were  afterward 
increased  to  one  hundred.  Upon  the  establishment  of  a 
Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  Baltimore,  the 
"  Christian  Association"  at  once  became  an  auxiliary  of 
that  Branch,  but  maintained  its  own  organization  during 
the  war. 

The  first  troops  which  reached  St.  Louis,  in  May, 
1861,  were  promptly  met  by  Mr.  J.  W.  Sutherland, 
agent  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  and  Mr.  J.  W. 
Mclntyre,  the  well-known  bookseller  of  that  city. 
Through  these  gentlemen  supplies  of  Testaments  and 
other  religious  reading  were  furnished  to  the  several 


80  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

regiments  as  they  arrived.  Mr.  Mclntyre  speedily 
organized  the  work  upon  a  comprehensive  and  efficient 
system,  and  by  circulars  addressed  to  chaplains  and 
others  arranged  for  the  regular  distribution  of  papers, 
tracts,  hymn  books,  libraries,  etc.,  among  the  men.  This 
was  continued  until  the  formation  of  the  St.  Louis 
Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission. 

Before  any  formal  propositions  or  organized  efforts 
"  for  giving  aid  to  the  sick  and  wounded  were  publicly 
made,  a  woman  who  for  many  years,  Howard-like,  had 
been  laboring  unceasingly  for  the  poor,  the  unfortunate, 
and  the  afflicted,  had  obtained  the  sanction  of  the  War 
Department  for  the  organization  of  military  hospitals, 
and  the  furnishing  of  nurses  for  them.  That  woman 
was  Miss  Dorothea  L.  Dix,  whose  name  was  familiar  to 
the  people  throughout  the  land.  She  offered  her  services 
gratuitously  to  the  government,  and  they  were  accepted. 
So  early  as  the  23d  of  April,  or  only  eight  days  after 
the  President  called  for  troops  to  put  down  the  rebellion, 
the  Secretary  of  War  issued  a  proclamation,  announcing 
the  fact  of  such  acceptance ;  and  on  the  1st  of  May,  the 
Acting  Surgeon-General,  R.  C.  Wood,  '  cheerfully  and 
thankfully  recognizing  the  ability  and  energy  of  Miss 
D.  L.  Dix  in  her  arrangements  for  the  comfort  and 
welfare  of  the  sick  soldiers  in  the  present  exigency,' 
requested  all  women  who  offered  their  services  as  nurses 
to  report  to  her."1 

1  Lossing's  Civil  War,  Vol  I,  pp.  575,  576.  In  a  private  letter,  dated  June  17, 
1866,  Miss  Dix  writes:—  "I  entered  Baltimore  just  as  the  fury  of  the  mob,  on 
the  memorable  19th  of  April,  1861,  had  spent  itself,  and  was  in  Washington 
almost  on  the  hour  with  the  Massachusetts  Sixth.  I  was  never  off  duty  from 
that  date  till  March,  1865,  although  I  resigned  my  official  trust  the  previous 
September." 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  81 

As  has  been  intimated,  the  movement  throughout  the 
country,  alike  in  hastening  forward  to  the  defence  of  the 
threatened  capital,  and  in  succoring  those  who  went,  was 
so  general  and  so  prompt,  that  it  is  difficult  to  particu- 
larize, or  to  designate  what  places  were  absolutely  fore- 
most. Some  dates  and  incidents  have  been  given ;  others 
remain  to  be  stated";  but  it  must  be  remembered  that 
only  a  few  of  the  great  sum  have  been  recorded,  and 
that  these  would  doubtless  be  well-nigh  matched  by 
many  others  if  all  the  facts  were  known.1  No  one  then 
thought  of  the  personal  distinction  of  being  first  in  the 
work,  or  of  making  a  record  for  himself.  Each  was 
intent  simply  on  doing  at  once  what  seemed  demanded 
by  the  emergency,  without  further  consideration.  The 
crisis  was  too  great  and  too  momentous,  the  solemn  and 
majestic  uprising  of  the  people  was  too  unanimous  and 
determined,  and  the  emotions  awakened  were  too  pro- 
found and  absorbing  to  allow  the  presence  of  narrow  and 
selfish  motives.  As  in  all  the  grander  actions  of  men, 
self-consciousness  was  lost  in  the  sense  of  duty  and  the 
high  purpose  of  immediate  action  which  ruled  the  hour. 
It  was  simply  the  more  favorable  opportunity,  rather 
than  a  readier  disposition,  which  gave  to  any  one  place 
the  precedence  of  achievement  for  the  national  cause. 

Moreover,  in  the  evidence  already  presented  the  cheer- 
ing fact  is  manifest  that  from  the  beginning  the  army  was 
recognized  as  a  field  for  evangelical  effort.  Almost  the 
first  work  done  for  the  soldiers,  alike  before  leaving 

1  Correspondents  who  have  sent  notices  of  societies  that  were  in  early  and 
efficient  operation,  and  of  personal  labors  among  the  troops  first  called  out,  will 
recognize  the  impossibility  of  mentioning  every  case,  and  will  accept  thoso  that 
are  given  as  representative  of  all,  and  as  indicating  the  forethought,  readiness, 
and  energy  which  were  displayed  throughout  the  entire  country. 
11 


82  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

their  homes  and  after  arriving  at  the  seat  of  war,  was  a 
strictly  religious  work.  In  the  first  plans  for  associated 
labors  in  behalf  of  the  troops  their  religious  necessities 
were  distinctly  recognized.  This  was  to  be  expected, 
from  the  nature  of  the  struggle,  the  remarkable  provi- 
dential preparation  which  the  nation  had  received,  and 
the  character  and  social  connections  of  many  of  those 
who  went  into  the  army.  Christian  men  were  the  first 
to  appreciate  the  crisis,  and  the  first  to  offer  themselves 
for  the  nation's  defense.  The  Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations,  in  most  of  the  cities  and  towns  of  the  loyal 
States,  had  representatives  in  the  earliest  regiments.1 
Those  who  remained,  equal  in  patriotism  and  zeal  to 
those  wrho  had  enlisted,  naturally  thought  and  cared 
for  their  brethren  and  for  all.  Hence  the  departing 
regiments  were  provided  with  the  Scriptures  and  other 
religious  reading ;  meetings  were  established  in  the  home 
camps  and  places  of  rendezvous ;  money,  supplies,  and 

1  See  The  Philanthropic  Results  of  the  War,  p.  98.  The  New  York  Indepen- 
dent of  April  25,  1861,  says,  "  Many  of  the  churches  of  all  denominations  are 
sending  some  of  their  most  active  members  to  the  field  as  volunteers."  — 
(Quoted  in  Rebellion  Record,  Vol.  I,  diary  p.  38.) 

At  the  annual  breakfast  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  in  Lon- 
don, England,  Mr.  George  H.  Stuart,  present  as  a  representative  from  the 
Associations  of  this  country,  said,  "  When  the  terrible  war  came  upon  them 
they  felt  it  in  their  Associations,  especially  in  their  reduced  numbers,  and  many 
of  the  country  Associations  were  entirely  broken  up,  almost  every  member 
having  responded  to  the  call  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  to  go  forth  and  stand  by 
the  government.  Some  Associations  formed  entire  companies  out  of  their 
ranks."  —  The  Christian  World  for  May  15,  1866. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  New  York,  in  a  letter  to  the 
London  Conference,  dated  August,  1862,  speaking  of  the  effect  of  the  war  upon 
the  Associations  throughout  the  country,  says,  "  Of  some  two  hundred  organi- 
zations, efficiently  laboring  in  the  Master's  cause  three  years  ago,  there  are 
scarcely  twenty  that  can  now  be  named  as  active  and  prosperous."  —  Eleventh 
Annual  Report,  p.  15. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  83 

personal  services  were  given  for  the  relief  and  comfort 
of  the  men ;  after  every  considerable  battle,  even  from 
the  beginning,  members  of  the  Associations  were  de- 
spatched to  the  sufferers,  full  handed,  to  minister  to 
their  physical  and  spiritual  needs.  Such  services  were 
rendered  by  the  Associations  of  Washington,  Philadel- 
phia,. New  York,  Boston,  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati, 
and  other  places.  In  tracing  more  fully  the  character 
and  course  of  some  of  these  labors,  it  will  be  seen  that 
from  these  preliminary  movements,  and  as  the  result  of 
an  intelligent  demand  and  a  fit  preparation,  the  U.  S. 
Christian  Commission  was  organized  to  do  a  needed  and 
momentous  work.  Never  was  the  guiding  hand  of  God 
more  strikingly  manifest,  and  never  was  his  benediction 
more  richly  bestowed. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Washing- 
ton City  was  necessarily  first  in  the  field,  for  their  city 
was  the  field, — the  original  seat  of  war.  They  saw  the 
opportunity  and  obligation  of  their  position,  and  at  once 
entered  vigorously  upon  the  fulfillment  of  them.  "  Im- 
mediately after  the  commencement  of  the  arrival  of 
troops,  and  while  they  were  all  quartered  in  the  city,  it 
was  divided  into  districts,  and  each  district  given  in 
charge  to  certain  members  of  the  Association,  whose-  duty 
it  was  to  see  that  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  soldiers  with- 
in their  field  were  met." l 

Mr.  Vincent  Colyer,  whose  visit  to  the  first  troops  that 
reached  New  York  City,  has  been  already  noticed,  con- 
tinued, as  he  says,  "to  visit  the  rapidly  departing  n-i- 
ments,  then  leaving  for  the  seat  of  war, — more  with  the 
desire  to  enlist  than  to  do  missionary  work,  yet  gradually 

i  First  Annual  Report  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  p.  91. 


84  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

led  to  minister  to  the  spiritual  and  temporal  wants  of  the 
volunteers.  I  distributed  Testaments,  hymn  books, 
tracts;  opened  meetings  for  prayer,  singing,  exhortation; 
carried  messages  to  families,  made  neglected  purchases, 
wrote  letters,  and  in  every  and  any  way  practicable  tried 
to  be  of  service  to  the  men." 

On  May  2,  1861,  the  managers  of  the  American  Bible 
Society  adopted  the  following  resolution  :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  a  circular  be  prepared  by  the  secretaries,  and 
sent  to  each  agent  and  auxiliary  throughout  the  country,  reminding 
them  of  the  peculiar  need  of  the  Word  of  God,  which  all  persons 
have  who  are  in  circumstances  of  danger  and  exposed  to  sudden 
death,  and  urging  them  to  see  that  every  soldier  enlisted  within  their 
bounds  is  supplied  with  a  copy  of  the  Scriptures  in  whole  or  in  part ; 
and  encouraging  them,  if  unable  without  assistance  to  attend  to  this 
important  duty,  to  apply  for  such  assistance  to  the  Parent  Society."1 

The  effect  of  this  wise  and  generous  action  was  salu- 
tary and  great.  The  agents  and  auxiliaries  did  good 
service  in  carrying  out  the  resolution. 

The  American  Tract  Society  at  Boston  visited  many 
of  the  early  New  England  regiments,  on  their  arrival 
in  Boston,  in  April,  1861,  and  distributed  such  reading 
matter  as  they  had  in  stock.  Immediate  arrangements 
were  made  for  printing  such  books  and  periodicals  as 
the  emergency  seemed  to  demand,  and  the  work  was 
vigorously  prosecuted  throughout  the  war.  The  Western 
Agency  was  active  in  extending  the  operations  of  the 
Society.  Their  distributions  of  reading  matter  were 
mainly  effected  through  their  own  agencies,  although 
much  was  done  through  the  Christian  Commission  and 
other  associations.  In  October,  1861,  the  Senior  Secre- 

1  Annual  Report  for  1862,  p.  30. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  85 

tary  of  the  Society,  Rev.  J.  W.  Alvord,  entered  upon 
the  personal  superintendence  of  the  work  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  and  remained  in  the  field  until  the  close 
of  the  war. 

The  American  Tract  Society  at  New  York  was  equally 
prompt.  The  first  regiments  which  reached  that  city 
were  .visited  and  supplied  with  publications.  Special 
tracts  and  books  were  at  once  prepared.  On  May  8, 
1861,  the  Society  resolved  "  That  it  is  incumbent  upon 
us,  at  this  time,  to  appropriate,  as  means  shall  be  fur- 
nished, $10,000,  or  whatever  shall  be  necessary,  to  pro- 
vide such  books,  tracts,  and  personal  agencies  as  are 
specially  suited  to  those  who  have  been  summoned  by 
patriotism  and  duty  to  the  perils,  temptations,  and 
suffe rings  of  the  camp."  These  publications  reached 
the  army  and  navy  through  many  channels,  but  mainly 
through  the  Society's  own  agencies,  under  the  direction 
of  one  of  the  secretaries.  In  1862  and  thereafter 
"army  missionaries"  were  employed  in  the  different 
divisions  of  the  field.  The  sum  specified  in  the  original 
resolution  was  multiplied  many  fold  in  the  Society's 
expenditures  upon  the  army. 

As  showing  the  tendency  of  Christian  thought  and 
action  at  that  early  day,  as  manifested  in  the  general 
meetings  of  the  various  denominations,  may  be  noticed 
the  national  anniversaries  of  the  Baptists  held  in 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  May,  1861.  On  the  29th  of  that 
month  a  special  meeting  of  all  the  delegates  present  \va< 
called,  with  reference  to  the  state  of  the  country.  In 
the  report  and  resolutions  presented  by  Rev.  Dr.  Win. 
R.  Williams,  it  is  stated  "  That  fearful  as  is  the  scourge 
of  war,  ....  waged  in  a  good  cause  and  in  tin-  fear  <>t 


86  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

God  it  may  be  to  a  people,  as  it  often  in  past  times  has 
been,  a  stern  but  salutary  lesson  for  enduring  good.  In 
this  struggle  the  churches  of  the  North  should,  by 
prayer  for  them,  the  distribution  of  Scripture  and  tract, 
and  the  encouragement  of  devout  chaplains,  seek  the 
religious  culture  of  their  brave  soldiers  and  mariners."1 
The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  New 
York  early  saw  the  needs  and  opportunities  of  the 
new  field  of  labor,  and  were  not  slow  in  entering  it. 

"On  the  21st  of  May,  1861,  some  members  of  the  new  Board  of 
Directors  held  an  informal  meeting  in  the  study  of  Rev.  Stephen  H. 
Tyng,  Jr.,  when  the  subject  of  army  Avork  for  the  Association  was 
considered  and  discussed  ;  and  within  a  day  or  two  thereafter  Messrs. 
Vernon  (President)  and  Tyng  made  the  first  visit  to  the  soldiers  as 
representatives  of  the  Association.  They  were  of  the  Troy  regiment, 
then  stationed  in  Canal  street.  Immediately  thereafter,  —  (Monday, 
May  27,  1861), — followed  our  regular  meeting,  when  the  situation 
of  the  volunteers  in  the  camps  about  the  city,  their  necessities,  the 
lack  of  chaplains  and  religious  instructors,  the  need  of  small  and 
portable  books  and  tracts  adapted  to  the  wants  of  a  soldier's  life, 
were  fully  discussed;  and  the  question  was  then  agitated,  What 
should  the  Association  do?"2 

As  the  result  of  the  above  meeting  a  plan  of  opera- 
tions was  decided  upon,  which  was  at  once  carried  into 
execution..  The  plan  "embraced  the  publication  of  a 
collection  of  familiar  hymns,3  Scripture  readings,  and 

1  See  Rebellion  Record,  Vol.  I,  document  p.  308. 

2  The   Work  of  the  Army  Committee  of  the  New   York   Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  p.  7.   Thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  Cephas  Brainerd,  author  of  the  Keport 
above  quoted,  for  copies  of  his  pamphlet,  and  for  other  assistance  in  collecting 
materials. 

3  The  "Soldiers'  Hymn  Book"  was  issued  by  the  New  York  Army  Com- 
mittee on  the  16th  day  of  June,  1861,  and  was  probably  the  first  of  its  kind 
published  during  the  war. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  87 

prayers  fitted  for  the  soldier's  use ;  the  establishment  of 
devotional  meetings  in  the  camps  of  the  soldiers  in  the 
neighborhood,  on  Sundays  and  week-day  evenings ;  the 
visitation  of  all  regiments  as  they  passed  through  the 
city,  supplying  them  with  religious  reading,  and  the 
holding  of  religious  services,  if  their  stay  allowed  time 
and  opportunity;  the  organization  of  a  working  Chris- 
tian force  in  every  regiment;  and  the  aid  and  support  of 
chaplains.  A  correspondence  with  chaplains  and  others, 
in  and  out  of  the  army,  was  devised,  as  one  means  of 
accomplishing  this  result."  An  Army  Committee  was 
at  once  formed.  In  the  prosecution  of  their  Christian 
work  by  this  committee,  the  barracks  and  encampments 
•'  within  a  radius  of  thirty  miles  around  the  city"  were 
visited  frequently,  and  "services  were  held  with  as  much 
regularity  as  circumstances  would  allow."  During  the 
six  months  which  followed  the  organization  of  the  com- 
mittee, "more  than  three  hundred  religious  meetings 
were  held,  with  the  happiest  results." 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Philadel- 
phia, the  members  of  which  had  been  in  various  ways 
engaged  in  work  for  the  soldiers  from  the  outbreak  of 
the  Rebellion,  reorganized  their  Army  Committee  on 
the  4th  day  of  July,  1861,  with  Mr.  P.  B.  Simons  as 
chairman.  The  committee  did  a  large  local  work,  and 
became  a  valuable  auxiliary  of  the  Christian  Commission. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  in  IWt.m 
emulated  the  promptness  and  zeal  of  similar  societies 
elsewhere.  From  their  proximity  to  the  Navy  Yard  an-l 
station  at  ( 'harlestown,  they  were  able  to  give  special 
assistance  to  the  marines  and  sailors  gathered  there.  A 
daily  prayer-meeting  was  established  on  board  the  re- 


88  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ceiving  ship  Ohio  in  1859,  which  has  been  continued 
ever  since.  Personal  effort  and  distribution  of  religious 
reading  accompanied  these  meetings.  Large  numbers 
were  converted,  and  a  religious  influence  exerted  through- 
out the  entire  navy. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  war,  when  experience  and 
organized  assistance  were  alike  wanting,  devoted  and 
intelligent  chaplains, — and  there  were  many  such  both 
East  and  West, — contributed  not  a  little  to  the  welfare  of 
the  troops.1  Donations  of  reading-matter,  and  extra  sup- 
plies of  clothing  and  food,  for  sick  and  wounded,  were 
secured  from  personal  friends  or  local  societies.  Also 
in  many  of  the  regiments  there  were  at  least  a  few 
Christian  men,  and  these  would  unite  in  establishing 
religious  meetings  and  in  devising  methods  for  the  com- 
fort and  welfare  of  their  comrades.  Hence  even  from 
the  beginning,  before  the  great  national  societies  came 

1  Rev.  Mason  Gallagher,  of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  who  was  chaplain  of  the 
Twenty-fourth  New  York  (Oswego  County)  Regiment  from  May,  1861,  to  Janu- 
ary 15,  1862,  and  during  six  months  of  that  time  was  secretary  of  the  "Chap- 
lains' Association,"  which  met  weekly  in  Washington,  communicates  some 
reminiscences  of  the  period.  Among  other  things,  he  says,  "Messrs.  Colyer, 
Alvord,  and  Goss,  I  remember  as  of  great  assistance  in  the  work  of  procuring 
tracts  and  papers  during  my  term  of  service.  To  the  former  I  feel  under  great 
personal  obligations.  Our  meetings  at  Washington  I  remember  with  great 
interest.  All  measures  relating  to  the  spiritual  good  of  the  army  were  there 
discussed,  and  I  believe  much  good  was  done.  To  Messrs.  Ballantyne,  Miller, 
and  others,  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Washington,  we  were 
under  great  obligations  for  interest  taken  in  the  chaplains'  welfare.  A  visit  of 
Bishop  Mcllvaine,  and  his  fervent  address  at  one  of  our  meetings,  will  long  be 
remembered.  Let  me  here  say,  that  having  been  brought  largely  into  connec- 
tion with  the  chaplains  of  tho  Army  of  the  Potomac,  from  my  position  as  secre- 
tary of  the  Association,  I  can  testify  to  the  high  order  of  men  who  engaged  in 
that  sacred  service.  There  was  occasionally  a  black  sheep  introduced,  but 
they  were  gradually  removed.  The  chaplains  stood  in  great  need  of  sympathy 
and  support  in  the  early  period  of  the  war,  for  everything  was  in  a  chaotic 
state,  and  their  condition  was  peculiarly  unpleasant." 


PKELIMOARY    MOVEMENTS.  tS'J 

into  operation,  the  smaller  extemporized  agencies  at 
home  and  in  the  army  did  much  for  the  relief  and  assist- 
ance of  the  soldiers.  There  was  doubtless  much  neglect 
and  much  suffering,  for  these  could  only  be  met  by  ex- 
perience and  organization,  but  they  were  less  than  they 
would  have  been  without  the  extra  popular  help  so 
heartily  proffered  on  every  side ;  and  the  great  national 
societies  themselves  were  little  more  than  the  combina- 
tion, enlargement,  and  improvement  of  methods  that 
started  into  spontaneous  activity  throughout  the  country 
with  the  first  movements  of  the  war. 

The  battle  of  Bull  Run  was  fought  on  Sunday,1  July 
21,  1861,  with  what  results  the  world  knows.  It  was 
the  first  considerable  engagement  of  the  war,  and  occa- 
sioned great  excitement  throughout  the  country.  There 
was  a  sudden  and  severe  check  to  the  eager  expectations 
of  the  people;  but  the  sufferers  were  not  forgotten. 
Volunteer  relief  was  at  once  added  to  the  provisions  of 
government.  Mrs.  Dr.  Harris,  in  behalf  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Ladies'  Aid,  and  Mr.  Colyer,  accompanied  by 
Mr.  F.  W.  Ballard,  in  behalf  of  the  New  York  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  were  among  those  who 
forthwith  repaired  to  Washington,  and  were  successful 
in  contributing  greatly  to  the  comfort  of  the  wounded. 
As  reproducing  and  commemorating  those  early  scenes, 
and  as  illustrating  what  was  even  then  effected  by  popu- 

1  That  our  first  battle  should  be  fought  on  the  Sabbath,  when  it  was  in  tin- 
power  of  our  commanders  to  choose  otherwise,  caused  great  grii •!'  and  indigna- 
tion among  the  Christian  people  of  the  nation.  By  many  persons  tin-  disaster 
to  our  troops  was  regarded  as  a  judgment  upon  the  profanation  of  tin-  day.  The 
discussion  and  remonstrance  which  followed  led  to  the  proclamation  .,f  C.-n. 
McClellan's  Sabbath  Orders,  dated  respectively  September  6  and  NovemU-r 
27,  1801. 

12 


90  AXXALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

lar  sympathy  and  benevolence,  we  may  quote  from  the 
personal  records  of  these  first  visits. 

Mrs.  Harris  addressed  the  following  paper  to  Rev.  Dr. 
W.  J.  R-  Taylor,  and  it  was  read  by  him  to  a  crowded 
audience,  at  a  public  meeting  held  in  Philadelphia,  on 
the  evening  of  Sabbath,  August  25, 1861.  The  meeting 
was  in  Rev.  Dr.  Wylie's  church,  and  was  called  "  to 
hear  addresses  and  take  measures  in  behalf  of  efforts 
to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  of  our  Pennsylvania 
soldiers,  especially  those  in  camps  and  hospitals/'  It  is 
not  difficult  to  conceive  what  must  have  been  the  effect 
of  this  simple  story  of  an  eye-witness,  and  that  witness 
an  earnest  Christian  woman,  upon  an  assembly  gathered 
under  circumstances  so  peculiar  and  impressive :  — 

My  Dear  Sir :  At  the  suggestion  of  Mr.  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  I  throw 
together  and  furnish  you  some  of  the  incidents  of  my  late  visits  to 
the  military  hospitals  and  camps.  I  went  in  behalf  of  the  Ladies' 
Aid,  taking  hospital  stores,  tracts,  etc.,  etc. 

Visiting  the  military  hospitals  of  Washington,  Georgetown,  and 
Alexandria  two  days  after  (Tuesday,  July  23)  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run,  the  value  of  our  holy  religion  and  its  power  to  soothe  were 
felt  as  never  before.  In  the  different  hospitals  about  500  wounded 
of  youth,  with  every  variety  and  degree  of  injury,  were  found. 
Passing  from  cot  to  cot  with  almost  bursting  heart,  "  Words  of  Jesus" 
were  whispered  into  the  ears  of  many  of  the  sufferers.  As  the  poor 
fellows  caught  the  sound  they  looked  up  with  cheerful  countenances, 
and  even  glad  surprise,  giving  utterance  to  such  expressions  as  the 
following: — "  Oh  I  ought  to  be  thankful  it  is  no  worse;  it  is  only  a 
flesh  wound.  If  God  had  forgotten  me  in  the  battle  as  I  have  for- 
gotten him,  I  should  not  have  been  here.  I  hope  I  may  never  again 
forget  his  goodness."  Another,  whose  benignant,  placid  expression 
told  of  great  peace,  to  the  remark  "  You  have  been  shielded  in  the 
day  of  battle,  perhaps  in  answer  to  a  mother's  prayers,"  replied, 
"Yes,  to  those  of  a  sainted  mother;  but  especially  to  those  of  a 
praying  wife,  who,  in  a  letter  just  received,  says,  '  I  spent  the  whole 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  91 

of  Sabbath  in  prayer  for  you,'  not  knowing  I  was  in  the  battle,  but 
her  Father  and  my  Father  knew  it.  That  was  enough.  I  went 
into  the  battle  with  prayer  and  came  out  with  thanksgiving  for  a 
spared  life."  I  was  about  to  pass  on  when  the  position  of  his  arm 
arrested  me.  "You  are  wounded  in  the  arm?"  "Yes."  "I  hope 
not  seriously."  "  Yes,  it  was  amputated  at  the  elbow  before  I  left 
the  field."  Wholly  unprepared  for  such  an  announcement,  my  feel- 
ings overpowered  me.  He  soothingly  said,  "  It  is  only  my  left  arm. 
That  is  not  much  to  give  to  my  country.  It  might  have  been  my 
life."  Another,  a  lovely  youth,  whose  bright  restless  eye  and  flushed 
cheek  told  of  suffering,  grasped  my  hand  and  gently  pulled  me 
towards  him,  as  I  knelt  beside  him  and  said,  "  My  dear  boy,  what 
can  I  do  for  you?  Shall  I  talk  to  you  of  Jesus?"  "Oh,  yes,"  he 
said,  "  I  am  used  to  that.  I  have  loved  Him,  but  not  near  enough, 
for  two  years,  and  now  He  is  going  to  take  me  home."  "  You  are 
very  young.  Have  you  a  mother?"  "Oh,  yes."  Tears  filled  his 
eyes.  "  It  must  have  been  a  great  trial  to  give  you  to  your  country." 
"  Yes,  it  was.  When  I  first  mentioned  it  she  would  not  hear  me, 
but  we  both  prayed  over  it,  and  at  last  she  consented,  saying, '  My 
country  deserves  this  sacrifice.  I  gave  you  to  God  at  your  birth, 
and  this  is  His  cause.' "  As  I  fanned  the  dear  boy,  brushing  back 
the  hair  from  his  beautiful  forehead,  he  fell  into  a  sleep.  When  I 
withdrew  my  hand  he  started  and  exclaimed,  "  Oh,  I  dreamed  that 
that  was  Annie's  hand.  Won't  you  put  it  on  my  head  again?" 
"Who  is  Annie?"  "My  twin  sister.  We  were  seventeen  since  I 
left  home."  This  dear  youth  is  now  with  the  Saviour.  He  died 
from  his  wounds  the  next  day.  Many  such  testimonies  were  given 
to  the  power  of  grace  to  strengthen  and  cheer  in  time  of  deep 
distress. 

Some  of  the  sick  visited  last  week  seemed  deeply  grateful  for 
the  gift  of  a  tract,  or  any  little  kindness  and  expression  of  sympa- 
thy. Some  were  near  death  and  were  groping  like  blind  men, — 
needing  some  one  to  lead  them  to  the  "  Light  of  Life."  Some  had 
just  (lied  and  "made  no  sign."  Others  were  mourning  over  a  dis- 
honored profession  ;  they  ran  well  for  a  time,  but  the  temptations  of 
camp  life  were  too  powerful ;  resistance  grew  daily  more  feeble,  until 
in  some  instances  they  had  lapsed  into  open,  outrageous  sin,  and 
were  suffering  all  the  pangs  of  an  outraged  conscience,  and  ncc.K.l, 


92  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

as  only  such  souls  can  tell,  to  be  reminded  of  Him  whose  blood 
cleanses  from  all  sin.  Others  were  glad  to  hear  the  name  of  the 
Master.  To  the  remark,  "  How  sweet  and  comforting  it  is  to  feel, 
wherever  I  go,  Jesus  has  been  here  before  me  and  knows  just  what 
is  needed," — came  the  glad  reply,  "How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus 
sounds !  It  is  the  first  time  I  have  heard  it  since  I  came  into  the 
hospital,  excepting  when  I  uttered  it  myself."  .... 

I  might  go  on  multiplying  such  incidents,  but  the  above  are  suffi- 
cient to  indicate  the  work  to  be  done  by  Christians  among  noble  and 
oft  suffering  soldiers.  We  do  not  half  realize  our  obligations  to  them 
and  to  our  Master.  Their  sufferings,  like  His,  are  vicarious.  Did 
they  not  enter  the  breach,  where  should  we  be  ? 

Mr.  Colyer  and  Mr.  Ballard  left  New  York  on  the 
evening  of  Tuesday,  July  23.  The  subjoined  extracts 
are  from  Mr.  Colyer 's  journal  of  the  visit :  — 

"  We  arrived  in  Washington  City  soon  after  sunrise  on  Wednesday, 
July  24,  and  the  passing  of  long  lines  of  army  wagons,  tumbled 
together  in  discreditable  confusion,  and  the  sentinels  with  their  gleam- 
ing bayonets  and  white  tents,  told  plainly  of  our  approach  to  the  seat 
of  war.  At  that  hour  many  of  the  weary  soldiers  were  still  asleep, 
lying  on  the  door-steps  and  side-walks  of  the  city.  Groups  of  them, 
at  intervals,  before  some  public  building,  would  be  seen  preparing 
their  breakfasts.  Their  kettles,  propped  upon  stones,  were  simmer- 
ing in  the  smoke  of  a  dozen  fires,  while  the  fragrant  odor  arising 
therefrom  was  rather  provoking  to  an  appetite  wrhet  with  a  night's 
long  travel  and  the  cool  morning  air.  The  soldiers  appeared  jaded, 
and  for  the  most  part  indifferent  to  the  niceties  of  the  toilet ;  yet  here 
and  there  you  would  see  one  combing  his  hair  before  a  small  mirror, 
or  bathing  himself  at  a  running  hydrant.  On  Pennsylvania  Avenue 
they  were  to  be  counted  by  the  thousand,  in  every  variety  of  costume ; 
and  although  in  much  confusion,  yet  there  were  to  be  detected  traces 
of  that  order  which  comes  from  life  in  the  camp.  Men  slightly 
wounded  would  here  and  there  be  seen,  and  any  kindness  extended 
to  them  was  seemingly  equally  appreciated  by  their  companions. 

"Our  duty  led  us  at  an  early  hour  to  the  hospitals.  The  wounded 
men  stretched  upon  neat  and  tidy  single  cots,  were  glad  to  see  visitors. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  93 

There  were  upwards  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  patients,  —  two-thirds 
or  more  wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Sunday  previous.  They  wished 
to  converse,  and  after  we  had  had  quite  a  talk  with  one,  he  would 
refer  us  to  some  other  in  the  same  ward,  who  he  thought  would  be 
pleased  to  speak  with  a  friend  from  home.  Their  wounds  were  of 
every  sort, — bullet-wounds  through  the  thigh,  leg,  arm,  shoulder, 
with  severe  cuts  from  bursting  shells,  buck-shot,  etc.  The  far  larger 
number  were  shot  through  the  side.  This  arose  from  two  causes, — 
partly  fVom  their  being  exposed  to  a  flank-fire,  and  partly  from  the 
manner  of  loading  and  firing,  which  presents  the  side  oftener  than 
the  face  to  the  enemy. 

"We  spent  the  day  in  writing  letters  for  them  to  their  wives, 
parents,  relatives,  and  friends.  It  was  very  touching  to  find  them 
often  thinking  more  of  their  loved  ones  than  of  themselves,  and  when 
we  would  put  some  endearing  conclusion  to  the  notes,  such  as  the 
writer  trusted  '  this  would  find  them  all  well,'  and  signed  with  '  love 
affectionately,'  they  would  turn  aside  with  voices  choking  with 
emotion. 

"  ....  In  going  through  one  of  the  wards  where  some  thirty 
suffering  soldiers  were  lying  on  their  cots,  I  took  a  large  package  of 
tracts,  opened  it,  and  allowed  each  man  to  choose  for  himself.  There 
were  Lives  of  Vicars,  of  Havelock,  Colonel  Gardiner,  Story  of  The 
Soldier's  Son,  The  Roll-Call,  Welcome  to  Jesus,  and  tracts  on  the 
Soldier's  Welcome  Home,  on  Swearing,  on  Temperance,  and  many 
others.  As  each  wounded  man  chose  a  book,  he  would  raise  himself 
up  on  his  cot  and  inquire  of  his  neighbor  what  book  he  had  chosen ; 
and  having  ascertained  he  would  then  select  some  other,  and  remark, 
'  When  we  have  read  each  our  own  we  will  exchange.'  While  they 
were  thus  engaged,  a  number  of  the  wounded  who  were  seated  out  on 
an  open  verandah  enjoying  the  cooler  air,  espying  through  an  open 
window  the  package  and  what  was  going  on  within,  sent  several  of 
their  number  hobbling  in  to  make  a  selection  for  them.  I  took  the 
bundle  out  to  them,  and  the  majority  having  selected  hymn  books, 
in  a  few  minutes  I  heard  them  all  singing  the  hymn  beginning, — 

'There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood 
Drawn  from  Imnianuel's  veins,'  etc. 

And  thus  were  brave  and  noble  fellows  from  Maine,  Wisconsin, 


94  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Indiana,  Connecticut,  and  the  New  York  Fire  Zouaves,  cheerful  as 
they  were  courageous,  and  the  gallant  Highlanders,  far  away  from 
home,  with  limbs  lacerated  in  defense  of  their  country,  singing  in  that 
evening  twilight  with  hearty  zeal  that  beautiful  hymn. 

"  Although  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and  the 

Governors  of  Connecticut,  New  York,  and  Wisconsin,  and  I  do  not 
know  but  some  others,  have  sent  orders  to  have  every  thing  provided 
for  the  sick  that  may  be  required,  yet  the  Christian  missionary,  in 
going  through  the  various  wards  of  the  hospitals,  can  often  find  cases 
which,  in  the  multiplicity  of  objects,  and  pressure  of  other,  perhaps 
more  serious  work,  have  been  overlooked.  It  was  from  this  cause, 
doubtless,  that  we  found  a  ready  welcome  given  to  little  presents  of 
drawers,  socks,  fans,  shirts,  wrappers,  etc.,  by  finding  individual  cases 
where  they  were  really  needed." 

Mr.  Colyer  remained  at  Washington,  laboring  among 
the  soldiers  in  camp  and  hospital.  He  was  assisted  by 
other  delegates  from  the  New  York  Association,  and 
representatives  were  also  present  from  other  societies. 
Supplies  began  to  be  liberally  sent  forward  by  churches, 
local  societies,  etc.  The  government  was  disposed  to 
grant  every  facility  needed  for  reaching  and  ministering 
to  the  men.  The  chaplains  hailed  the  establishment  of 
such  means  of  communication  with  the  friends  at  home, 
and  thankfully  availed  themselves  of  their  new  oppor- 
tunities.1 

1  Mr.  Colyer  writes :  —  "At  that  time  there  were  no  chaplains  for  the  hos- 
pitals, and  no  power  in  the  hands  of  the  President  to  appoint  any.  Mr.  Lin- 
coln gave  notice  of  his  willingness  to  appoint  such  persons  as  came  suitably 
commended,  but  there  was  no  money  with  which  to  pay  them.  In  this  emer- 
gency the  Misses  Woolsey,  two  wealthy  ladies  of  New  York  then  residing  in 
Washington,  told  me  that  if  I  would  name  a  clergyman  for  the  Alexandria 
hospitals,  they  would  pay  his  salary."  This  was  done.  "  These  ladies  also 
used  their  own  private  carriage  as  a  vehicle,  and  carried  quantities  of  hospital 
stores  to  the  army.  Up  to  the  close  of  the  war  they  carried  on  their  liberal 
ministrations  to  the  soldiers,  wherever  they  could  find  opportunity.  They 
visited  the  battle-fields,  —  Gettysburg,  Edward's  Ferry,  Yorktown,  and  others. 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  95 

Mr.  Colyer  soon  discovered  that  the  missiori  which 
had  been  "  undertaken  in  Christian  sympathy  as  a  tem- 
porary task,  would  have  to  be  kept  up  and  extended  as 
a  permanent  duty."  The  work  began  to  assume  gigantic 
proportions,  and  demanded  the  organization  and  concen- 
tration of  the  Christian  agencies  of  the  country.  Accord- 
ingly, on  the  22d  of  August,  he  wrote  to  his  colleagues 
of  the  New  York  Committee,  and  suggested  the  calling 
of  a  convention  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tions of  the  loyal  States,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 
general  commission.  The  suggestion  was  favorably  re- 
ceived, and  steps  were  at  once  taken  toward  carrying  it 
into  effect.  In  addition  to  the  immediate  endorsement 
of  the  plan  by  the  officers  of  the  New  York  Association, 
formal  action  was  taken  at  a  meeting  held  on  the  23d  of 
September,  when  a  committee  was  appointed,  of  which 
Mr.  Colyer  was  chairman,  "  to  conduct  the  correspond- 
ence and  arrange  the  details"  for  the  meeting,  in  behalf 
of  the  Association.  Mr.  Colyer  addressed  a  series  of 
inquiries  to  the  chaplains  of  the  army,  to  secure  such 
definite  and  authentic  information  as  would  assist  the 
proposed  convention  in  reaching  the  most  desirable  re- 
sults. Keplies  were  received  from  more  than  sixty 
chaplains.  He  also  visited  the  principal  Eastern  cities, 
to  consult  the  leading  members  of  the  several  Associa- 
tions, and  to  urge  forward  the  new  movement.  The 
proposition  was  everywhere  approved.1  The  "  National 
Committee  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations 

They  carried  on  a  large  correspondence  with  soldiers'  families,  and  did  a  vast 
amount  of  good." 

i  Very  early  in  October,  even  before  it  was  decided  to  hold  a  convention,  the 
Associations  of  Boston  and  Brooklyn  had  appointed  their  delegates. 


96  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHEISTTAN    COMMISSION. 

of  the  United  States,"  for  the  year  1861,  resided  in 
Philadelphia, — Mr.  George  H.  Stuart  being  chairman. 
The  convention  asked  for  could  only  be  called  by  this 
committee.  Ordinarily  such  conventions  were  called  at 
stated  intervals,  and  Mr.  James  Grant,  a  member  of  the 
committee  to  whom  the  matter  had  been  referred,  asked 
Mr.  Colyer  to  put  in  writing  his  reasons  for  the  unusual 
measure  now  contemplated.  Mr.  Colyer  thereupon  pre- 
pared the  following  letter  :  — 

WASHINGTON  CITY,  D.  C.,  October  I,  1861. 

Dear  Sir:  Having  been  occupied  for  these  last  ten  weeks  in  the 
army,  at  Washington,  as  representative  of  the  New  York  Associa- 
tion, the  necessity  for  a  much  more  extended  organization,  in  order 
to  meet,  even  approximately,  the  Christian  wants  of  the  soldier,  has 
so  impressed  itself  upon  me,  that  I  cannot  avoid  writing  to  you  for 
aid.  I  wish  to  ask  the  National  Committee,  of  which  you  are  a 
member,  earnestly  to  consider  the  propriety  of  calling  a  general  con- 
vention, at  some  central  place,  at  the  earliest  practicable  day,  to 
consider  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  young  men  of  our  army,  in  order 
that  the  same  may  be  provided  for  by  the  appointing  of  a  "  Christian 
Commission,"1  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  entire  charge  of  this 
work. 

The  government  has  now  over  250,000  men  enlisted,  the  far  greater 
majority  of  whom  are  young  men,  and  not  a  few  of  them  members  of 
our  Associations.  These  young  men  are  risking  their  lives  for  their 
country,  exposed  to  constant  hardships,  and  subjected  to  all  the 
temptations  and  debasing  influences  of  camp  life.  They  are  liable 
to  sickness  and  prolonged  suffering  from  wounds  in  hospital,  and  to 
sudden  death  upon  the  battle-field.  To  meet  the  great  wants  of  these 
young  men,  under  circumstances  which  so  urgently  call  upon  our 
Christian  sympathies  and  gratitude  (for  they  are  assembled  in  defense 
of  our  homes,  our  rights,  and  our  government),  no  adequate  exertion 
has  yet  been  made.  Our  Society  in  New  York  has  raised  and  ex- 
.pended  $2,000,  and  forwarded  books,  tracts,  and  hospital  stores  worth 

1  This  is  the  first  mention,  so  far  as  known,  of  the  title  "  Christian  Commis- 
sion." 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  97 

$3,000  more.  The  Washington  City  Society  has  had  its  members 
actively  employed  in  the  camps  around  this  city,  until  the  army 
became  so  large  that  it  was  entirely  beyond  its  reach,  and  it  had 
exhausted  its  means.  Your  Society  has  sent  a  deputation  to  inquire 
into  the  matter  and  report.  Other  Societies,  of  which  we  have  no 
advices  (except  the  Boston,  which  has  done  a  good  work  for  the 
iiavy),  have  doubtless  done  much.  Yet  it  is  all  but  as  a  drop  in  the 
bucket,  compared  with  what  ought  to  be  done,  and  what  the  great 
Societies  whom  you  represent  are  capable  of  doing. 

Let  me  inclose  a  few  brief  extracts  from  letters  I  have  received 
from  chaplains : 

"Allow  me,  in  behalf  of  the  regiment  of  which  I  am  chaplain,  to 
thank  your  Association  for  the  books  and  tracts  so  kindly  provided 
for  the  men.  Could  the  friends  of  Jesus  know  how  gratefully  these 
books  and  tracts  are  received  by  our  soldiers,  they  would  be  prompted 

to  increased  liberality If  these  works,  added  to  the  labors  of 

the  chaplains,  accomplished  no  more  than  to  save  the  religious  portion 
of  our  army  from  backsliding,  it  would  prove  a  mighty  work ;  but 
their  potency  for  good  in  increasing  the  morale  of  the  army  can 
only  be  measured  by  those  who  have  an  opportunity  to  judge  of 

their  effects. 

"W.  P.  STRICKLAND, 

"  Chaplain  48th  N.  Y.  Volunteers." 

"  May  God  bless  you  in  your  labor  of  love  and  charity.  I  believe 
the  seed  of  truth  sown  during  this  war  will  be  the  means  of  awaken- 
ing many  souls  to  Christ.  Pray  for  me  that  my  faith  fail  not. 

"  J.  R.  CARPENTER, 
"  Chaplain  1st  Reg't  D.  C.  Volunteers." 

"  I  rejoice  in  the  Lord  at  your  '  labor  of  love.'  In  my  opinion 
this  is  a  work  second  only  in  importance  to  the  appointment  of  the 
highest  officers  in  command.  Blessings  upon  you  and  your  true 
yoke-fellows  everywhere  for  trying  to  introduce  more  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  into  our  ranks.  Camp  life  abounds  with  temptation,  and 
the  soldier's  calling  is  demoralizing  in  the  extreme. 

"  W.  H.  CUDWOKIH 
"  Chaplain  1st  MOM.  Volunteer*." 
13 


98  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

"  I  would  do  much  violence  to  my  own  feelings  of  gratitude  did  I 
not  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  of  thanking  you,  on  behalf  of 
myself  and  also  of  the  religious  portion  of  the  Thirty-first  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  for  your  very  timely  supply  of  religious 
books,  etc.  No  person  can  safely  calculate  the  religious  destitution 
of  the  army,  unless  they  have  had  practical  experience  of  livmg  in 
camp.  Without  such  an  agency  as  this  which  you  hold  here,  many 
persons  would  suffer  severely.  May  the  Most  High  prosper  your 
work  of  faith,  and  bless  you  and  those  who  are  associated  -with  you 
in  so  good  and  so  necessary  a  cause. 

"  R.  W.  OLIVER, 
"  Chaplain  81st  Reg't  Pa.  Volunteers." 

I  could  add  many  more  like  these,  but  this  will  suffice  to  show  how 
the  work  here  is  regarded  by  those  who  are  most  interested,  and  the 
best  capable  of  judging  of  its  necessity  and  usefulness. 

It  will  be  seen,  then,  that  I  do  not  ask  you  to  try  an  experiment, 
but  to  continue  and  enlarge  a  work  which  is  already  practically 
under,  way  and  successfully  working,  but  which  has  now  grown  so 
large  that  we  cannot  do  better  than  resign  it  into  hands  capable 
of  giving  it  the  dimensions  it  deserves,  and,  I  trust,  will  receive 
from  you. 

I  need  not  urge  the  necessity  of  prompt  as  well  as  decisive  action, — 
for  it  must  be  apparent  to  every  one,  that  whatever  is  done  effectively 
in  this  army  work  must  be  done  quickly.  At  any  moment  a  terrible 
battle  may  take  place  here,  and  all  along  our  lines  (in  the  West 
particularly)  engagements  are  daily  occurring ;  besides,  the  troops 
are  continually  in  motion,  and  the  habits  of  the  men  are  forming 
daily,  either  for  good  or  evil. 

The  work  is  so  extensive  and  needs  such  large  resources,  that  single 
Associations  can  do  but  little,  and  for  them  to  act  independently  of 
each  other  is  to  increase  vastly  the  expenses  while  the  labor  accom- 
plished will  be  less ;  and  while  some  sections  will  receive  too  much 
attention  others  will  be  comparatively  neglected. 

I  need  not  say  what  a  blessing  such  a  work  will  prove  to  the  Asso- 
ciations themselves.  It  is  well  known  that  many  of  these  societies 
are  now  languishing  for  the  want  of  means  to  meet  their  current 
expenses ;  and  it  might  reasonably  be  asked,  seemingly,  How  can 


PRELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  99 

they,  then,  undertake  a  new  and  extensive  work  like  this?  The 
answer  is,  They  can  readily  collect  money  for  this  special  army 
mission  when  they  cannot  for  anything  else.  The  community  is  so 
sensitively  alive  to  the  wants  of  the  soldiers, — nearly  every  city, 
town,  village  or  family  having  their  own  citizens  and  members  in  the 
army, — that  the  subject  takes  immediate  hold  of  their  sympathies, 
and  will  command  their  ready  aid  and  support.  We  have  tried  it, 
and  found  it  so. 

Having  had  a  personal  interview  with  the  President  of  your  Com- 
mittee, and  learned  his  hearty  readiness  to  co-operate  in  this  work,  I 
visited  Boston,  and  there  met  with  an  equally  cordial  response. 
That  Society  will  send  an  able  delegate,  and  our  New  York  Society 
will  select  a  prominent  citizen  and  member  to  represent  it ;  and  I 
doubt  not,  if  the  time  would  have  admitted,  other  Societies  would 
have  promised  the  same.  I  therefore  leave  the  matter  in  your  hands, 
and  pray  that  a  Convention  of  all  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciations of  the  Loyal  States  may  be  called  at  an  early  day. 
With  Christian  esteem,  fraternally  yours, 

VINCENT  COLYER, 

New  York  Y.  M.  C.  A., 

Chairman  Com.  on  Correspondence  with  Convention. 
To  JAMES  GRANT,  ESQ., 

Of  the  Com.  for  calling  Convention  Y.  M.  C.  A.  of  the  U.  S.t 

Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Having  been  continuously  at  this  centre,  with  abundant  oppor- 
tunities of  observation,  and  feeling  strongly  impressed  with  the 
necessity  of  united  and  energetic  action  in  this  great  work,  I  heartily 
concur  in  the  proposition  presented  by  Brother  Colyer  with  the  view 

of  securing  such  concerted  action. 

M.  H.  MILLER, 

President  Washington  City  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

The  National  Committee  was  somewhat  delayed  in  its 
action,  owing  in  part  to  the  illness  of  the  chairman,  but 
on  the  18th  of  October  it  was  decided  to  call  the  Con- 
vention.1 New  York,  at  the  rooms  of  the  Association 

» In  a  private  letter  dated  June  26,  1866,  Mr.  Grant  writes,  "  Unquestionably 


100  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

in  that  city,  was  selected  as  the  place  of  holding  the 
Convention,  and  the  7th  of  November  proposed  as  the 
date  of  meeting.  The  day,  however,  was  subsequently 
changed  to  the  14th,  "  to  give  opportunity  for  communi- 
cation with  the  more  distant  Associations."  On  the 
28th  of  October,  therefore,  the  official  call  for  the  Con- 
vention was  issued,  as  follows :  — 

PHILADELPHIA,  October  28,  1861. 
To  the  Secretary  of  the 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of 

Dear  Sir :  The  Central  Committee  of  the  Confederation  of  Young 
Men's  Christian  Associations  having  been  urged  to  call  together  a 
CONVENTION,  for  the  purpose  of  systematizing  and  extending  the 
Christian  efforts  of  the  various  Associations  among  the  soldiers  of 
the  army,  do  hereby  request  such  a  Convention  to  meet  at  the  ROOMS 
OF  THE  YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION  OF  NEW  YORK,  on 
Thursday,  the  fourteenth  day  of  November  next. 

In  issuing  this  call,  they,  in  common  with  Christians  of  every 
name,  deeply  deplore  the  necessity  which  has  forced  the  Government 
to  take  up  arms  in  defense  of  its  constitutional  rights  and  liberties, 
and  it  is  their  earnest  prayer  that  by  the  blessing  of  God,  on  a  true 
and  righteous  basis,  peace  may  soon  again  be  enjoyed  throughout 
every  State  of  the  once  happy  and  prosperous  Union. 

In  the  meantime,  while  such  numbers  of  young  men  are  congre- 

the  idea  of  the  Commission  originated  with  the  New  York  Association,  and 
Mr.  Colyer  was  the  first  to  lay  it  before  us.  It  is  a  singular  reflection  to  my 
own  mind  to  remember  how  slow  and  faint-hearted  we  were  when  the  idea  was 
first  presented  to  us.  The  magnitude  of  the  work,  the  agitated  state  of  the 
country,  and  the  fears  lest  the  whole  matter  should  prove  a  failure,  were  the 
cause  of  this.  We  had  little  faith,  and  certainly  had  no  thought  that  the 
results  of  that  convention  would  prove  so  glorious,  and  be  known,  as  it  is,  world- 
wide. There  was  much  difficulty  in  obtaining  a  meeting  of  the  committee.  I 
well  remember  the  warm  afternoon,  October  18,  1861,  when  it  at  last  met  and 
decided  to  call  the  convention.  This  was  done  after  fervent  prayer ;  and 
having  come  to  the  decision, prayer  was,  I  believe,  again  offered,  that  the  bless- 
ing of  God  might  be  upon  the  convention,  and  that  He  would  be  present  to  guide 
and  ratify  all  its  deliberations.  I  was  appointed  to  prepare  the  official  circular, 
and  did  so." 


PKELIMINARY    MOVEMENTS.  101 

gated  together,  surrounded  by  temptation  and  danger,  an  open  field 
of  usefulness  is  presented,  vast  in  extent  and  interesting  beyond 
expression.  To  enter  in  and  cultivate  this  field,  there  appears  no 
instrumentality  so  well  adapted  as  the  organizations  already  formed 
in  almost  every  city,  town,  and  village  of  the  country. 

The  work  has  already  been  successfully  begun  by  several  of  these, 
in  particular  by  the  New  York  Association,  whose  agent1  has  for 
nearly  three  months  been  actively  employed  among  the  camps  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Washington. 

It  is  exceedingly  desirable  that  in  a  cause  so  unquestionably 
important,  EVERY  ASSOCIATION  IN  THE  LAND  should  lend  its  aid, 
and  that  there  should  be  unanimity  of  feeling  and  concert  of  action. 
Hence  the  reason  for  this  call,  —  a  call  which  the  Committee  trust  will 
meet  with  a  response  equal  to  the  grand  object  it  has  in  view. 

The  Associations,  in  their  endeavors  to  meet  the  spiritual  wants  of 
the  soldiers,  will  doubtless  be  amply  sustained  by  the  Christian 
public,  and  there  are  abundant  proofs  that  these  labors  will  be 
appreciated  and  kindly  received  by  the  soldiers  themselves. 

It  is  earnestly  hoped  that  every  Association  receiving  this  circular 
will  make  a  strenuous  effort  to  send  forward  at  least  one  Delegate 
to  the  Convention,  and  if  in  any  case  this  should  be  impracticable,  it 
is  recommended  that  the  views  of  such  on  the  whole  subject  be  com- 
municated in  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention,  at  the 
Bible  Rooms,  corner  of  Third  avenue  and  Ninth  street,  New  York. 

1  It  should  here  be  remarked  that  the  labors  of  Mr.  Colyer  in  the  array  were 
entirely  gratuitous.  Mr.  Brainerd  says:  —  "No  compensation  was  ever  made 
by  the  committee  to  Mr.  Colyer,  for  his  long  and  faithful  service,  involving  a 
complete  relinquishment  of  his  business  for  the  time.  His  was  a  free-will 
offering."  It  may  also  be  added  that  at  the  Convention  which,  in  pursuance 
of  the  above  call,  formed  the  Christian  Commission,  Mr.  Colyer  occupied  the 
first  afternoon  of  the  session  in  detailing  his  experiences  in  the  army  and  his 
reasons  for  desiring  the  formation  of  the  Commission.  Immediately  on  the 
adjournment  of  the  Convention  he  returned  to  Washington  and  to  his  work 
among  the  soldiers.  He  remained  until  the  following  summer,  — devoting  in 
all  sixteen  months  of  time,  —  acting  as  agent  for  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  of  Brooklyn,  the  ladies  of  St.  George's  Church,  New  York,  and 
others.  He  distributed  over  $27,000  worth  of  hospital  stores,  food,  books,  etc., 
besides  being  on  several  occasions  employed  in  important  services  for  the 
Government. 


102  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Believing  that  no  machinery  put  in  operation  can  do  effective 
work  without  Divine  aid,  earnest  prayer  is  requested  that  God's 
blessing  may  rest  upon  the  Convention,  guide  it  in  all  its  delibera- 
tions, and  crown  its  every  effort  for  the  temporal  and  spiritual  wel- 
fare of  the  soldiers  with  complete  success. 
By  order  of  the  Committee. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman, 
JOHN  WANAMAKER,  Cor.  Sec'y. 
JAMES  GRANT, 
JOHN  W.  SEXTON, 
GEORGE  COOKMAN. 

P.  S.  The  first  meeting  will  be  held  at  the  rooms  of  the  Associa- 
tion, Bible  House,  corner  of  Third  avenue  and  Ninth  street,  New 
York,  on  Thursday,  November  14,  at  3  P.  M. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  FIRST  YEAR. 

IN  pursuance  of  the  foregoing  call,  the  Convention 
assembled  at  the  time  and  place  named, — in  the  rooms 
of  the  New  York  Young  Men's  Christian  Association, 
Bible  House,  on  Thursday,  November  14,  1861,  at  3 
o'clock,  p.  M.  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  delegates 
present  and  of  the  Associations  represented:  — 

New  York  City. — Rev.  Stephen  H.  Tyng,  Jr.,  Vincent 
Colyer,  Frank  W.  Ballard,  Edward  Colgate,  Rev.  J.  H. 
Burtis,  Cephas  Brainerd,  Benjamin  Lord,  Benj.  F. 
Manierre,  Gilead  B.  Nash,  Lewis  S.  Hallock,  Caleb  B. 
Knevals,  Gerardus  C.  King. 

Amsterdam,  N.  Y. — E.  J.  Purdy. 

Boston,  Mass. — E.  S.  Tobey,  Charles  Demond. 

Bridgeport,  Conn. — Rev.  A.  R.  Thompson,  M.  C. 
Hawley. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.— William  B.  Jones,  Henry  White. 

Buffalo,  N.  F.— William  C.  Bryant,  J.  D.  Hill,  M.  D. 

Chicago,  III. — J.  King. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. — H.  Thane  Miller,  Samuel  Lowrey. 

Danbury,  Conn. — S.  G.  Raymond. 

Philadelphia,  Penna.—Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Rev.  S.  J. 
Baird,  D.  D.,  John  Wanamaker,  A.  M.  Burton. 

103 


104  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Stamford,  Conn. — Hennell  Stevens. 

Trenton,  N.  J.— E.  W.  Scudder. 

Troy,  N.  Y.— Rev.  Wm.  H.  Smith. 

Washington,!).  (7.— K.T.Morsell,  William  Ballantyne. 

Waterbury,  Conn. — L.  S.  Davis,  G.  W.  Beach. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  Convention,  Geo.  H. 
Stuart  was  chosen  President ;  Edward  S.  Tobey,  Vice- 
President;  Cephas  Brainerd  and  William  Ballantyne, 
Secretaries. 

Messrs.  Demond,  Vernon,  Wanamaker,  Manierre, 
Baird,  Colyer,  and  Stuart,  were  appointed  a  Business 
Committee. 

The  Convention  was  in  session  two  days.  The  first 
day  was  occupied  with  statements  and  addresses,  setting 
forth  the  wants  of  the  army,  and  what  had  been  done 
among  the  soldiers  by  the  Washington  and  New  York 
Associations,  and  by  the  Tract  Societies  of  New  York 
and  Boston.  Considerable  time  was  spent  in  prayer, 
and  the  members  of  the  Convention  seemed  to  act  in 
humble  reliance  upon  the  guidance  and  blessing  of 
God. 

On  the  second  day,  Mr.  Demond,  from  the  Business 
Committee,  presented  the  following  report.  After  full 
discussion,  the  report  was  unanimously  adopted, — the 
words  "and  marines"  being  added  after  the  word 
"  sailors,"  and  the  words  "  and  others"  after  the  word 
"  chaplains,"  in  the  first  resolution. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  and  present  business  to  the 
Convention  have  attended  to  that  duty,  and  beg  leave  to  present  the 
following  resolutions,  which,  taken  together,  constitute  a  plan  by 
means  of  which  the  Associations  may  work  together  in  aid  of  the 
soldiers:  — 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  105 

Resolved,  1.  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations  to  take  active  measures  to  promote  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  welfare  of  the  soldiers  in  the  army  and  the  sailors  [and 
marines]  in  the  navy,  in  co-operation  with  the  chaplains  [and  others]. 

Resolved,  2.  That  a  Christian  Commission,  consisting  of  twelve 
members,  who  shall  serve  gratuitously,  five  of  whom  shall  be  a 
quorum,  and  who  may  fill  their  own  vacancies,  be  appointed  to  take 
charge  ef  the  whole  work,  with  power  to  appoint  one  or  more  secre- 
taries, and  such  other  agents  as  they  may  deem  expedient,  prescribe 
their  duties,  and  fix  their  compensation. 

Resolved,  3.  That  the  Commission  report  to  the  Associations  and 
the  public  their  doings  and  disbursements,  through  such  widely  cir- 
culating journals  as  will  publish  them. 

Resolved,  4.  That  we  recommend  that  each  Association  appoint  an 
Army  Committee,  who  shall  have  the  charge  of  collecting,  receiv- 
ing, and  transmitting  contributions  of  all  kinds  for  the  soldiers,  and 
be  the  medium  of  communication  between  their  several  Associations 
and  the  Commission. 

Resolved,  5.  That  we  have  heard  with  satisfaction  that  our  brethren 
in  the  army  have  in  some  instances  organized  themselves  into  reli- 
gious associations,  and  we  hope  the  good  work  will  go  on  till  there  is 
one  in  every  regiment. 

Resolved,  6.  That  all  organizations,  designed  to  promote  the  spir- 
itual and  temporal  welfare  of  the  army,  be  cordially  invited  freely 
to  make  use  of  the  facilities  afforded  by  the  Commission. 

Resolved,  7.  That  the  Associations  be  urgently  recommended  to 
institute  immediate  measures,  by  public  meetings  or  otherwise,  to 
obtain  the  necessary  means  for  the  expenses  incident  to  the  work  of 
the  Christian  Commission. 

WHEREAS,  It  has  been  found  by  experience  that  a  special  tent  for 
religious  services  is  of  great  value,  and  a  large  number  of  chap- 
lains have  expressed  their  desire  for  some  such  accommodations, 
therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  of  the  Convention  be  directed  to  peti- 
tion the  General  Government  to  provide  tents  or  other  accommoda- 
tions, suitable  for  the  holding  of  religious  services. 


106  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  by  the  Conven- 
tion, members  of  the  Christian  Commission: — 

„    ,  f  Eev.  EOLLIN  H.  NEALE,  D.  D., 

{  CHARLES  DEMOND. 
Buffalo,  JOHN  D.  HILL,  M.  D. 

Chicago,  JOHN  V.  FARWELL. 

f  Eev.  M.  L.  E.  P.  THOMPSON,  D.  D., 
Cincinnati,      <  TT  „.  ,r 

i  H.  THANE  MILLER. 

fEev.  S.  H.  TYNG,  D.  D., 
New  York,      <  BENJ.  F.  MANIERRE, 

I  Eev.  EDMUND  S.  JANES,  D.  D. 

TIT  -7   7  7  7  •     f  GEO.  H.  STUART, 
Philadelphia,  < 

I.  JOHN  P.  CROZER. 

Washington,      MITCHELL  H.  MILLER. 

The  Commission,  thus  constituted,  held  a  meeting 
during  the  last  day  of  the  Convention,  Nov.  15,  at  the 
rooms  of  the  New  York  Association.  Geo.  H.  Stuart 
was  elected  permanent  Chairman  of  the  Commission, 
and  B.  F.  Manierre,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  prepare  a  circular,  setting  forth 
what  had  been  done  and  what  it  was  proposed  to  do,  to 
be  sent  to  the  several  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tions throughout  the  country. 

The  day  following,  Nov.  16,  this  first  Circular  of 
the  United  States  Christian  Commission  was  issued,  as 
follows: — 


OFFICE  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  1 
NEW  YORK,  Nov.  16,  1861.  J 

Dear  Brethren :  At  a  Convention  of  the  Delegates  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Associations,  held  with  the  New  York  Association, 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  November  14  and  15,  1861,  a  Christian 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  107 

Commission1  was  appointed,  under  the  resolutions  herewith  trans- 
mitted, and  in  their  behalf  we  desire  to  urge  upon  you  the  import- 
ance of  immediate  and  decided  action  upon  the  subject  matter  therein 
contained. 

The  object  sought  to  be  attained  by  the  Convention  is  the  spiritual 
good  of  the  soldiers  in  the  army,  and  incidentally  their  intellectual 
improvement  and  social  and  physical  comfort.  The  Commission 
hopes  to  be  able  to  establish  such  agencies  as  will  effect  these  objects, 
and  bring  all  the  Associations  into  immediate  connection  with  the 
work.  We  would  ask  your  careful,  earnest,  and  prayerful  attention 
to  all  the  resolutions,  and  in  particular  to  the  one  in  reference  to  the 
Army  Committee,  which  we  trust  you  will  at  once  appoint,  and  send 
us  their  names. 

This  work  is  of  great  magnitude,  and  to  accomplish  it  properly 
will  require  the  best  exertions  of  us  all.  We  would  suggest  that  you 
take  measures  to  interest  all  the  people  of  your  place  in  furnishing 
means  to  carry  on  the  work, — the  Commission  being  unable  to  pro- 
ceed without  such  financial  aid. 

The  chaplains  wish  our  aid ;  Christians  in  the  army  call  for  it ;  and 
the  precious  souls  of  thousands,  daily  exposed  to  death  and  yet 
unprepared,  demand  it  of  us,  in  the  name  of  Him  who  died  for  us. 
It  is  a  field  white  unto  the  harvest.  The  soldiers  are  ready  to  hear 
the  Word  of  God  spoken  in  love,  and  to  receive  the  printed  pages. 
The  government  and  General  McClellan  favor  the  work.  Brethren, 
will  you  aid  us  ? 

We  propose  to  take  all  the  contributions  in  money  we  may  receive 
and  appropriate  them  to  furnishing  religious  reading  and  teaching  to 
the  soldiers.  We  hope  to  use  the  money  thus  contributed,  through 
voluntary  channels,  with  little  cost,  so  that  what  you  may  give  us 
will  nearly  all  be  directly  applied  to  the  benefit  of  the  army.  We 
also  propose  to  be  a  medium  to  convey  to  the  army  such  articles  for 
the  comfort  of  the  soldiers  as  friends  may  desire  to  send.  Our  object 
is  not  to  convey  them  gratuitously,  but  to  see  that  such  articles 
quickly  and  surely  reach  those  for  whom  they  are  intended. 

A  general  meeting  of  the  Commission  will  soon  be  held,  and  the 

1  The  names,  as  above  given,  were  here  inserted,  and  the  resolutions  adopted 
by  the  Convention  accompanied  the  Circular. 


108  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

details  will  be  given  as  soon  as  perfected.  We  shall  hope  for  a 
speedy  response  from  you,  and  shall  be  glad  to  give  such  further 
information  as  you  may  desire. 

All  contributions  and  communications  may  be  addressed  to  Hon. 
Benj.  F.  Manierre,  No.  2£  Wall  Street,  New  York. 

Yours,  in  the  Fellowship  of  the  Gospel,        > 
EDMUND  S.  JANES,      "| 
CHAKLES  DEMOND,       V  Committee. 
BENJ.  F.  MANIERRE,) 
To  the  President  of  the 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  Commission  was  held  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  December  10  and  11,  1861.  Kev. 
Dr.  Tyng  and  Mr.  Miller,  of  Cincinnati,  resigned  their 
places  as  members  of  the  Commission,  and  the  vacancies 
were  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Rev.  B.  C.  Cutler,  D.D., 
of  Brooklyn,  New  York,  for  the  first,  and  Col.  Clinton 
B.  Fisk,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  for  the  second.  An 
Executive  Committee  of  five  was  appointed,  consisting 
of  Messrs.  Janes,  Cutler,  Stuart,  Manierre,  and  Demond. 
A  Plan  of  Operations  was  also  drawn  up  and  adopted. 

During  this  session  of  the  Commission,  opportunity 
was  given  for  personal  conference  "with  the  President, 
Secretary  of  War,  Commanding  General,  and  others  in 
authority.  They  heartily  approved  the  movement,  and 
gave  it  their  official  endorsement.1  The  members  of  the 

1  The  subjoined  correspondence  will  explain  the  statement  of  the  text : — 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Dec.  11,  1861. 
To  His  EXCELLENCY,  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN  : 

Dear  Sir:  At  a  recent  convention  of  Delegates  from  Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations  of  the  country,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  a  committee  of  twelve 
gentlemen  was  appointed,  denominated  a  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  to  take  active 
measures  to  promote  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  the  soldiers  in  the 
army,  and  the  sailors  and  marines  in  the  navy,  in  co-operation  with  chaplains 
and  others.  The  Commission  met  in  this  city  on  yesterday,  and  have  been  devis- 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  109 

Commission  also  visited  the  several  camps  across  the 
Potomac,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Washington.  This 
first  day's  experience  of  actual  intercourse  with  the  men 
in  the  field  made  a  deep  and  permanent  impression.  It 

ing  plans  for  carrying  out  the  object  of  their  appointment.  Before  publishing 
their  plans  they  desire  an  expression  of  your  Excellency's  approval,  believing  as 
they  do  that  it  will  aid  us  very  much  in  accomplishing  the  work  committed  to  our 
hands.  •  I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  Christian  Commission. 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  Dec.  12,  1861. 

My  dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  llth  inst.  and  accompanying  plan,  both  of 
which  are  returned  as  a  convenient  mode  of  connecting  this  with  them,  have  just 
been  received.  Your  Christian  and  benevolent  undertaking  for  the  benefit  of  the 
soldiers  is  too  obviously  proper  and  praiseworthy  to  admit  any  difference  of 
opinion.  I  sincerely  hope  your  plan  may  be  as  successful  in  execution  as  it  is 
just  and  generous  in  conception.  Your  obedient  servant, 

A.  LINCOLN. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  December  13,  1861. 

Sir:  This  Department  approves  the  object  of  the  "CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,"  as 
set  forth  in  the  circular  announcing  their  appointment  by  a  convention  of  the 
Delegates  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations,  held  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  Nov.  14  and  15,  1861. 

This  Department  is  deeply  interested  in  the  "spiritual  good  of  the  soldiers  in 
our  army,"  as  well  as  in  their  "intellectual  improvement,  and  social  and  physical 
comfort,"  and  will  cheerfully  give  its  aid  to  the  benevolent  and  patriotic  of  the 
land,  who  desire  to  improve  the  condition  of  our  troops. 

It  confidently  looks  for  beneficial  results  from  so  noble  an  enterprise,  and  begs 
you  to  express  to  the  Commisssion  its  sincere  wish  for  the  success  of  this  great 
work  in  behalf  of  the  soldier. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

SIMON  CAMERON,  Secretary  of  War. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  \ 
WASHINGTON,  January  8,  1862.     / 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  inform- 
ing me  of  the  appointment,  by  the  convention  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations,  of  a  Commission  to  take  active  measures  to  promote  the  spiritual 
and  temporal  welfare  of  our  soldiers  and  sailors. 

The  objects  of  the  Commission  are  such  as  meet  my  cordial  approval,  and  will, 
if  carried  out  in  the  proper  spirit,  prove  of  great  value. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  B.  MCCLELLA*. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Philadelphia. 


110  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

was  seen  that  the  work  to  be  done  was  vast  and  urgent. 
Among  the  regiments  at  Upton's  Hill,  Miner's  Hill, 
Hall's  Hill,  and  other  points,  and  the  patients  in  the 
hospital  at  Fall's  Church,  these  Christian  men, — the 
vanguard  of  several  thousands  of  similar  visitors  yet  to 
come, — were  received  with  every  demonstration  of  wel- 
come and  delight.  Their  little  stock  of  religious  reading 
was  most  eagerly  seized,  their  addresses  and  prayers 
were  listened  to  with  attention  and  reverence.  For 
many  of  the  soldiers  there  had  been  a  long  dearth  of 
religious  privileges,  and  they  were  reminded  of  home 
again.  If  the  convictions  and  emotions  experienced  that 
day  by  the  seven  members  of  the  Christian  Commission 
there  present  could  have  been  transferred  to  all  the 
Christian  people  of  the  land,  these  Annals  would  not 
show  a  six  months'  record  of  feebleness,  hesitancy,  and 
inactivity. 

The  headquarters  of  the  Commission  were  established 
at  No.  2*  Wall  street,  New  York  (the  office  of  Mr. 
Manierre),  where  the  Executive  Committee  held  its  first 
meeting,  December  17,  1861.  Mr.  Stuart  was  elected 
Chairman  of  the  Committee,  a  position  which  he  con- 
tinued to  hold,  as  also  that  of  Chairman  of  the  Commis- 
sion at  large,  during  the  entire  period  of  its  existence. 
At  this  meeting  it  was  decided  "  to  employ  a  General 
Agent  for  three  months,  at  a  salary  not  to  exceed  two 
thousand  dollars  a  year." 

The  Plan  of  Operations  adopted  at  the  meeting  in 
Washington,  preceded  by  an  Address  from  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  was  submitted  to  the  public  in  a  Circu- 
lar, in  January,  1862.  This  document,  the  first  one 
issued  after  the  Commission  was  fully  organized,  and  the 


THE    FIRST   YEAR.  Hi 

first  official  statement,  for  general  circulation,  of  its  pur- 
poses and  plans,  is  of  permanent  interest,  and  is  here 
given  in  full :  — 

ADDRESS. 

OFFICE  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  l 
NEW  YORK,  Jan.  13,  1862.         j 

The  Christian  Commission  met  in  Washington,  and  arranged  a 
Plan  of  Operations,  which  they  now  submit  to  the  public,  and  call 
upon  the  friends  of  the  soldier  to  aid  them  in  their  work. 

Their  object  is  to  promote  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare 
of  the  brave  men  who  now  are  in  arms  to  put  down  a  wicked 
rebellion. 

They  propose  to  do  this  by  aiding  the  chaplains  and  others  in 
their  work : 

1.  By  furnishing  to  them  religious  tracts,  periodicals,  and  books. 

2.  By  aiding  in  the  formation  of  religious  associations  in  the 
several  regiments. 

3.  By  putting  such  associations  in  correspondence  with  the  Chris- 
tian public. 

4.  By  cultivating,  as  far  as  possible,  the  religious  sympathies  and 
prayers  of  Christians  in  their  behalf. 

5.  By  obtaining  and   directing   such   gratuitous   personal   labor 
among  the  soldiers  and  sailors  as  may  be  practicable. 

6.  By  improving  such  other  opportunities  and  means  as  may  in 
the  providence  of  God  be  presented. 

7.  By  furnishing,  as  far  as  possible,  profitable  reading,  other  than 
religious,  and,  wherever  there  is  a  permanent  military  post,  by  estab- 
lishing a  general  library  of  such  works. 

8.  By  establishing  a  medium  of  speedy  and  safe  intercommunica- 
tion between  the  men  in  the  army  and  navy  and  their  friends  and 
families,  by  which  small  packages  of  clothing,  books,  and  medicines, 
can  be  forwarded,  and  mementoes  of  social  affection  can  be  inter- 
changed. 

Gentlemen,  well-known  and  of  high  character,  in  various  cities, 
have  generously  offered  to  give  the  time  and  attention  needed  to 
carry  out  this  plan,  and  we  hope  to  be  able  to  appropriate  to  the 
benefit  of  the  soldiers  all  contributions  entrusted  to  us,  with  a  small 


112  ANNALS    OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

expense  for  intermediate  agencies.  But  we  need  money  to  provide 
religious  and  other  reading  for  the  army,  and  a  very  large  sum  can 
be  judiciously  and  profitably  used  in  this  way.  The  Bible,  Tract, 
and  other  benevolent  publishing  Societies  will  aid  us,  but  they  need 
funds.  We  must  purchase  books  to  a  large  extent,  or  leave  many 
of  the  soldiers  destitute.  It  is  hoped  that  editors  and  publishers  will 
furnish  papers  and  books  gratuitously,  or  at  reduced  prices.  Second- 
hand books,  also,  will  be  welcomed  gratefully  by  the  soldier,  and 
will  be  of  value  in  making  up  the  contemplated  libraries. 

All  contributions  of  books,  and  all  packages  and  articles  designed 
for  the  soldiers,  may  be  sent  to  any  member  of  the  Commission,  or 
of  the  District  Committees,  which  will  soon  be  published,  or  to  the 
rooms  of  any  Christian  Association  in  the  land,  and  they  will  be 
cared  for  and  forwarded.  Articles  directed  to  any  particular  soldier, 
company,  or  regiment,  will  be  carefully  conveyed,  the  donor  furnish- 
ing money  to  pay  the  expressage.  Articles  not  particularly  directed, 
will  be  distributed  as  the  Commission  shall  deem  best  Contribu- 
tions in  money  may  be  sent  to  any  member  of  the  Commission,  or  to 
the  District  Committees,  or  to  the  Treasurer.  All  communications 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Hon.  Benj.  F. 
Manierre,  2J  Wall  street,  New  York. 

There  are  over  700,000  men  now  in  the  army  and  navy,  who  have 
left  the  comforts  of  home  to  endure  hardship,  and  it  may  be  to  die,  for 
us.  A  large  number  of  them  have  now  no  means  of  religious 
instruction,  and  all  are  exposed  to  the  demoralizing  influences  of 
war.  We  propose  to  encourage  in  them  whatever  is  good,  and  keep 
fresh  in  their  remembrance  the  instructions  of  earlier  years,  and  to 
develop,  organize,  and  make  effective,  the  religious  element  in  the 
army  and  navy.  The  field  is  open  to  us.  We  can  have  free  access 
to  their  immortal  souls ;  the  chaplains  desire  and  call  for  our  aid  ; 
the  Government  wish  it ;  and  the  men  ask  for  and  receive  religious 
reading  and  teaching,  with  an  eagerness  most  touching.  Thousands, 
who  at  home  never  entered  the  house  of  God,  and  had  none  to  care 
for  their  souls,  now  in  imminent  peril,  desire  to  know  of  Him  who 
can  give  them  the  victory  over  death,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
The  time  is  short ;  what  we  do  must  be  done  quickly. 

Brethren  and  friends,  we  have  made  known  to  you  our  purposes 
and  plan  of  operation.  Our  appeal  is  in  the  soldier's  behalf.  It  is 


THE   FIRST   YEAR.  113 

for  your  sons  and  brothers,  and  for  many,  too,  who  have  no  parents 
or  near  relatives,  that  this  work  is  undertaken.  We  beseech  you  by 
all  that  is  valuable  in  our  national  institutions,  nay,  by  all  that  is 
inspiring  in  the  Christian  faith,  and  comforting  in  the  hope  of  heaven, 
that  you  come  promptly  forward  to  encourage  and  sustain  these 
young  men  in  their  patriotic  service,  and  to  secure  to  them  those 
precious  spiritual  blessings  which  are  needed  everywhere  and  at  all 
times,  but  especially  by  those  whose  lives  are  in  jeopardy  every 
hour,  who  are  subject  to  suffering  and  want,  and  who  at  any  moment 
may  be  called  to  die  on  the  field  of  battle,  far  away  from  their 
fathers'  sepulchres. 

GEO.  H.  STUART, 

BENJ.  F.  MANIERRE, 


EDMUND  S.  JANES, 
CHAS.  DEMOND, 
BENJ.  C.  CUTLER, 


Executive  Committee. 


PLAN    OF    OPERATION. 

1.  The  office  of  the  Commission  shall  be  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
[Changed  to  Philadelphia.] 

2.  There  shall  be  an  Executive  Committee  of  five,  who  shall  have 
full  power  to  act  for  the  Commission,  subject  to  its  approval,  and 
shall  report  their  action  to  the  Commission  at  each  meeting.     The 
Committee  shall  correspond  with  all  other  committees  of  the  Com- 
mission, and  with  all  the  Associations  and  other  bodies  who  may 
co-operate  with  us,  giving  them  such  information  and  suggestions  as 
will  encourage  and  quicken  them  in  their  work,  and  shall  also  report 
their  proceedings  monthly  through  the  press,  giving  credit  to  all 
societies  and  individuals  who  may  contribute  to  the  purposes  of  the 
Commission.     The  Executive  Committee  may  convene  the  Commis- 
sion when  they  judge  it  necessary. 

3.  There  shall  be  a  General  Committee  of  three  in  the  city  of 
New  York,  who,  with  the  Treasurer,  shall  receive  all  the  contribu- 
tions of  books  and  other  articles  given  for  the  objects  of  the  Com- 
mission, and  apportion  and  forward  the  same  to  the   committees 
hereinafter  mentioned. 

4.  The  field  shall  be  divided  into  as  many  districts  as  may  be 

15 


114  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

found  necessary.  Each  district  shall  have  a  committee  of  three,  to 
be  appointed  by  the  Commission,  but  who  need  not  be  members  of 
the  same,  who  shall  receive,  divide,  and  forward  the  books  and  all 
other  contributions  furnished,  as  in  their  judgment  the  necessities  may 
be  found  to  exist;  and  shall  also,  in  their  respective  districts,  super- 
intend all  the  operations  and  promote  all  the  interests  contemplated 
by  this  Commission.  For  this  purpose  they  shall  open  a  correspon- 
dence with  one  or  more  chaplains  in  each  brigade  in  their  respective 
districts.  Where  a  regiment  is  found  without  a  chaplain,  they  shall 
request  the  chaplain  of  some  other  regiment  in  the  brigade  to  visit 
the  regiment,  and  seek  out  the  pious  officers  and  soldiers,  and  induce 
them  to  form  a  religious  association,  to  establish  social  meetings,  and 
distribute  religious  publications,  etc.  They  shall  also  correspond 
with  the  proper  army  officers,  so  as  to  be  informed  of  the  changes  in 
the  position  of  the  different  regiments,  and  of  the  facilities  that  may 
exist  for  carrying  out  the  objects  of  the  Commission.  The  com- 
mittee shall  serve  gratuitously,  and  shall  report  their  proceedings, 
and  such  interesting  facts  concerning  the  work  as  they  may  be  able 
to  gather,  at  least  monthly  to  the  Executive  Committee.  Each  com- 
mittee is  authorized  to  pay  such  clerks  as  they  may  find  it  imprac- 
ticable to  obtain  gratuitously,  and  to  incur  such  other  incidental 
expenses  as  are  unavoidable, — the  funds  furnished  being  considered 
as  trust  funds.  It  is  understood  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Army  Com- 
mittees of  the  Christian  Associations  to  procure  funds,  books,  and 
periodicals,  for  the  benefit  of  the  army,  and  of  each  District  Com- 
mittee to  act  in  conjunction  with  them  ;  but  where  no  such  Associa- 
tion exists,  the  District  Committee  shall  take  measures  to  raise  funds 
and  contributions,  receipt  for  the  same,  and  report  them  to  the  Trea- 
surer of  the  Commission. 

5.  The  Executive  Committee,  in  conjunction  with  the  District 
Committees,  shall  at  once  take  measures  to  organize  a  plan  by  which 
the  intercommunication  between  the  men  in  the  army  and  navy  and 
their  friends  may  be  carried  out,  and  communicate  the  same  to  the 
Christian  Associations  and  to  the  public,  as  soon  as  matured. 

The  foregoing  exposition  of  the  early  purposes  of  the 
Commission  clearly  shows,  what  will  become  more  mani- 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  115 

fest  as  we  proceed,  that  at  the  outset  no  one  well  under- 
stood the  precise  work  to  be  done,  or  the  methods  by 
which  it  could  be  accomplished.  It  was  distinctly  seen 
that  there  was  a  great  opportunity  and  necessity  for  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  ministrations  to  the  soldiers,  and 
there  was  an  earnest  Christian  and  patriotic  desire  to  be 
of  sejvice  to  the  army  and  to  the  nation,  but  there  was 
the  absence  of  that  practical  knowledge  which  could  only 
come  through  actual  experience.1  In  this  the  Commis- 
sion exactly  reflected  the  condition  of  the  government 
and  the  nation.  War  of  such  magnitude  and  character 
was  wholly  unprecedented,  and  no  one  knew  how  to 
meet  it,  or  to  manage  anything  connected  with  it.  Every- 
thing was  improvised  and  incoherent,  and  experiment 
and  use  were  requisite  to  competent  organization.  In- 
deed, it  was  wholly  uncertain  what  the  magnitude  or 
continuance  of  the  struggle  was  to  be, — so  much  so  that 
the  Commission  was  unwilling  to  enter  upon  any  arrange- 
ment, even  with  their  General  Agent,  for  more  than 
three  months.  Hence  it  was  inevitable  that  practi- 
cal experience  should  greatly  modify  the  earliest  plans 
and  methods.  The  delegate  system,  which  became  the 
right  hand  of  the  Commission's  strength,  is  hardly  fore- 
shadowed in  this  first  scheme  of  operations;  the  distri- 
bution of  stores  and  other  material  comforts  became  much 


1  Mr.  Deraond  writes  to  Mr.  Stuart,  under  date  of  April  20,  1864,  "  In  look- 
ing at  the  resolutions  of  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Commission,  I  :m. 
more  firmly  convinced  that  the  Lord  was  guiding  us.  I  drew  those  resolutions 
with  no  very  definite  idea,  and  yet  God  so  directed  me  that  all  the  main  fcatnn  > 
of  our  work  were  there,  or  entirely  in  harmony  with  them.  How  small  wort-  our 
thoughts  then,  and  how  dark  the  way  for  a  long  time  in  our  early  meeting-  in 
New  York !  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  the  way  in  which  he  has  led  us.  It  is  his 
doing,  and  marvelous  in  our  eyes." 


116  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

more  prominent  as  the  work  grew,  and  their  necessity 
and  utility  were  made  manifest ;  while  the  transmission 
of  private  packages,  so  conspicuously  put  forward  at  first, 
was  attended  with  unanticipated  difficulty  and  perplexity, 
and  was  finally  wholly  abandoned  as  impracticable.  It 
is  to  be  said,  however,  that  when  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion fairly  comprehended  the  situation  and  the  work 
before  it,  it  readily  adapted  itself  to  these,  and  became 
the  fair  exponent  of  the  Christian  life  of  the  nation. 
There  was  at  the  outset  an  energy  and  a  purpose  about 
it  that  could  not  ultimately  fail  of  reaching  its  mark. 
The  evidence  will  be  frequently  and  abundantly  given 
that  the  Commission  grew  up  from  very  small  begin- 
nings, and  grew  also  in  its  adaptations  to  varying  cir- 
cumstances and  wants,  as  only  a  movement  could  grow 
which  had  within  it  the  most  vigorous  life.  One  of  the 
most  valuable  historical  lessons  of  this  narrative  will 
come  from  tracing,  faithfully  and  fully,  the  changes 
which  took  place  in  the  methods  and  operations  of  the 
Commission,  as  the  true  sphere  of  its  action  was  clearly 
discerned,  and  as  the  popular  Christian  life  which  ani- 
mated it  became  more  self-conscious  and  powerful. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  cause,  the  fact  is  mani- 
fest, that  for  eight  or  nine  months  after  its  formation 
the  Commission  accomplished  very  little.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  Executive  Committee  held  February  17,  1862, 
Mr.  Manierre  resigned  his  position  as  Secretary,  retain- 
ing that  of  Treasurer.  Rev.  A.  M.  Morrison,  who  had 
for  some  time  been  gratuitously  assisting  Mr.  Manierre, 
was  appointed  Secretary,  which  office  he  occupied  without 
remuneration  until  the  following  July.  Mr.  Manierre 
resigned  the  treasurership  in  July,  and  was  succeeded 


THE    FIRST   YEAR.  117 

by  A.  V.  Stout,  President  of  the  Shoe  and  Leather 
Bank,  who  also  resigned  within  a  few  weeks.  Notwith- 
standing early  and  constant  efforts,  it  was  not  until  May 
1,  1862,  that  a  General  Agent  was  appointed.  Kev.  B. 
W.  Chidlaw,  of  Cincinnati,  after  a  personal  interview 
with  the  Executive  Committee  at  that  time,  was  chosen 
for  the  service,  but  felt  compelled  to  decline  a  few  days 
afterward,  on  account  of  ill-health  and  other  considera- 
tions ;  Colonel  John  S.  McCalrnont,  of  Pennsylvania, 
was  appointed  June  6,  but  declined ;  Kev.  Dr.  Robert 
Patterson,  of  Chicago,  was  appointed  July  10,  and  served 
five  or  six  weeks,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Kev.  W. 
E.  Boardman. 

The  Christian  Commission  seems  at  first  to  have  been 
regarded  by  the  public,  not  with  distrust,  for  there  was 
hardly  interest  enough  manifested  to  warrant  the  ascrip- 
tion of  such  a  feeling,  but  with  general  indifference. 
The  prevailing  uncertainty  that  attached  to  everything 
in  the  national  affairs  has  been  alluded  to.  Then  there 
were  numerous  applicants  for  public  favor  in  the  Tract, 
Publication,  and  Sunday  School  Societies,  and  the  Sani- 
tary Commission,  and  in  the  various  local  societies  that 
started  up  all  over  the  country,  which  proposed  looking 
after  the  troops  from  their  several  States  or  communities.1 
National  feeling  had  not  yet  been  sufficiently  developed 
and  hardened  into  unity  of  action,  the  solidity  of  sys- 
tematic organization  and  effective  co-operation  was  want- 

1  In  explanation  of  this,  Rev.  Mr.  Morrison,  the  Secretary,  writes  to  Mr. 
Stuart  under  date  of  July  12,  1862,  "There  is  great  confusion  in  the  public 
mind,  here  in  New  York,  among  the  numerous  agencies  busied  in  Hmihr 
operations,  and  all  making  their  appeal  and  claim  to  the  public  in  behalf  of  the 
army.  Each  party  canvasses  the  ground  on  its  own  behalf,  and  men  are  disin- 
clined to  take  up  any  more." 


118  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ing  alike  in  the  army  and  at  home,  and  the  government 
had  neither  learned  to  close  the  lines  of  the  army  against 
the  multitude  of  the  philanthropic  and  the  curious,  nor 
to  use  to  advantage  the  spontaneous  and  abundant  benevo- 
lence which  was  so  freely  proffered. 

The  religious  press  was  by  no  means  forward  to 
recognize  and  assist  the  Commission,  although  the  first 
address  and  the  notices  of  its  earliest  movements  were 
published  to  a  limited  extent.  Theodore  Tilton,  Editor 
of  The  Independent,  writing  to  Mr.  Stuart  in  May,  1864, 
says,  "When  the  Christian  Commission  was  first  formed, 
and  before  it  came  under  its  later  management,  many 
excellent  men  in  this  city  and  elsewhere  had  only  a 
partial  confidence  in  it.  As  a  consequence  neither  Mr. 
Beecher  nor  myself  felt  inclined  to  give  it  the  support 
of  The  Independent"  In  confirmation  of  this  statement 
it  must  be  remarked  that  more  than  a  year  elapsed  before 
a  permanent  committee  of  gentlemen  could  be  formed  in 
New  York,  to  take  charge  of  the  local  work  of  the  Com- 
mission in  that  city.  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation at  first  performed  this  local  service,  but,  on 
account  of  some  misunderstanding,  they  co-operated  with 
the  Commission  only  a  few  months.  The  prominent 
Christian  men  of  the  city  stood  aloof,  although  continu- 
ous and  vigorous  efforts  were  made  to  enlist  their  sympa- 
thy and  assistance.1  This  is  shown  in  the  minutes  of 
the  Executive  Committee,  and  in  all  the  correspondence 
of  that  period.  Under  date  of  July  11,  Mr.  Norman 
White,  who  had  yielded  to  solicitations  to  act  for  the 

1  An  Auxiliary  or  Branch  Commission  was  organized  in  New  York  City, 
December  8, 1862,  under  the  presidency  of  Mr.  William  E.  Dodge.  A  detailed 
statement  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 


THE    FIRST   YEAR.  119 

Commission,  notifies  Mr.  Stuart  of  his  inability  to  get 
the  use  of  a  church  for  a  public  meeting,1  and  adds, 
"  My  conversation  with  them" — i.  e.,  pastors  of  churches 
to  whom  application  had  been  made — "  and  some  others, 
leads  me  to  a  conclusion  in  reference  to  the  present 
position  or  status  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  our 
city,  m  not  nearly  as  favorable  as  I  had  hoped.  While 
this  organization  has  done  but  little,  others  have  been 
very  active,  and  have  kept  their  work  constantly  before 

the  public So  great  are  the  difficulties  which 

present  themselves,  that  I  am  compelled  to  decline  any 
position  on  the  Commission  until  it  can  be  placed  on  a 
different  footing." 

A  letter  of  Mr.  Morrison  to  Rev.  Dr.  Patterson,  dated 
July  18,  presents  a  vivid  picture  of  the  condition  of 
things  at  the  office  of  the  Commission.  It  would  be 
amusing  also,  from  the  present  point  of  view,  did  we 
not  know  that  at  the  same  time  "  there  were  acres  of 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  in  General  McClellan's  army, 
without  any  cover  save  a  blanket,  with  the  thermometer 
at  100  in  the  shade,  and  except  the  agents  of  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  none  to  tell  them  of  the  way  of  life."2 
Mr.  Morrison  was  about  leaving  the  city  for  the  summer, 
and  found  it  necessary  to  make  some  disposal  of  the 
Commission's  property.  He  therefore  reports  to  the 
General  Agent  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  turns  the 

1  Mr.  Morrison,  referring  to  the  same  matter,  writes  to  Mr.  Stuart  under  date 
of  July  15,  "  Mr.  White  failed  to  get  any  church  for  the  meeting,  and  now 
declines  to  act  further.     Unless  I  get  some  one  before  to-morrow,  P.M.,  it  will 
be  useless  to  attempt  a  meeting  for  next  Sunday,  and  I  don't  know  which  way 
to  turn  for  one.     I  have  already  pulled  in  vain  all  the  strings  at  my  command." 

2  Rev.  David  Steele,  as  quoted  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  Stuart  to  Mr.  Norman 
White,  dated  July  13. 


120  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

property  over  to  him.  He  writes  from  21  Park  Place, 
where  the  office  then  was, — the  store  occupied  by  Mr. 
Stuart  for  his  personal  business  in  New  York :  — 

There  is  little  to  be  attended  to  here,  except  in  the  case  of  Mr. 
Stuart's  removing  from  the  store,  which  is  expected  on  or  about  the 
1st  of  August.  Then  somebody  will  have  to  be  here,  and  see  the 
assets  of  the  Christian  Commission  removed  to  some  other  office  or 

place  of  storage The  assets  referred  to  and  on  hand  here  will 

be  shown  you  by  the  porter  of  the  store.  They  consist  of  a  mahogany 
table  with  green  top  and  two  drawers,  two  chairs  (oak),  the  books, 
stationery,  stamps,  etc.,  etc.,  in  the  desk  which  I  have  been  using 
here ;  and  in  the  upper  basement  a  lot  of  miscellaneous  books,  pam- 
phlets, magazines,  newspapers,  etc.,  which  have  come  in  in  little 
parcels  since  the  last  were  sent  away ;  together  with  coal  scuttle  and 
scoop,  hammer  and  box-opener,  marking-pot  and  materials,  brushes, 
etc.,  paper,  twine,  nails,  etc.;  and  in  the  lower  basement  two  barrels 
of  old  papers,  all  of  which  the  porter  will  show  you.  The  postage 
stamps  (viz. :  85  red  and  50  blue)  are  in  a  buff  envelope,  addressed 
to  you,  under  the  note  paper  in  the  little  right  hand  drawer  of  the 
desk  I  am  using.  There  are  also  a  few  loose  ones,  blue  and  red,  in 
the  box  of  pens,  in  the  back  part  of  the  same  drawer.  This  will,  I 
believe,  give  you  command  of  all  that  belongs  to  the  Christian 
Commission. 

In  a  letter  of  reminiscences  from  Mr.  Morrison,  dated 
June  21,  1866,  this  feeblest  period  of  the  Commission's 
history  is  graphically  portrayed,  and  with  some  extracts 
from  it  we  will  pass  to  a  more  encouraging  record  :  — 

When  I  took  the  temporary  position  of  Secretary  everything  was 
in  utter  confusion.  No  papers  were  passed  over  to  me,  and  the 
operations  and  communications  of  the  Commission  were  at  so  low  an 
ebb  that  very  few  accumulated  in  my  possession  for  weeks.  .  .  .  > 

You  can  judge  of  the  complete  feebleness  of  the  Commission  at 
the  time,  when  I  tell  you  that  I  found  it  impossible  to  command 
funds  sufficient  to  rent  permanently  even  the  merest  corner  of  an 
office,  and  during  the  whole  of  my  tenure  it  was  beaten  about  from 


THE    FIRST    YEAH.  121 

pillar  to  post,  in  the  endeavor  to  find  a  place  where  it  might  remain 
for  a  time  on  sufferance,  or  for  the  mere  pittance  of  office-rent  its 
treasury  could  then  afford.  The  office  (by  courtesy)  of  the  Commis- 
sion was  thrice  shifted  during  the  few  months  of  my  Secretaryship, — 
no,  four  times.  It  was  first  in  Mr.  Manierre's  Insurance  Office,  No. 
2*  Wall  street;  then  at  No.  2  Battery  Place;  then  in  Broadway 
just  above  "Wall  street,  fourth  story ;  and  last  in  a  store  temporarily 

occupied  by  Mr.  Stuart's  business,  21  Park  Place I  gave  my 

entire  time  to  it  for  some  months,  and  was  deeply  interested  in  its 
work.  The  only  thing  to  which  I  can  look  back  with  any  satisfac- 
tion in  my  own  administration,  —  if  I  may  apply  so  dignified  a  name 
to  it, — is  the  fact  that  there  was  a  pretty  frequent  and  pretty  united 
and  earnest  prayer  meeting  of  one,  daily,  in  behalf  of  the  Christian 
Commission's  work. 

I  can  think  of  nothing  worth  chronicling  in  the  way  of  annals  of 
the  Christian  Commission  during  the  period  preceding  Rev.  Mr. 
Boardman's  appointment  to  the  Secretaryship,  which  I  most  joy- 
fully yielded  over  into  his  hands.  It  would  be  but  a  sorry  detail  of 
abortive  attempts  to  enlist  the  press,  to  enlist  men  of  weight,  to 
extend  the  organization,  to  stir  up  branch  committees  throughout 
the  North,  and  generally  to  revive  our  work,  which  just  at  that 
moment  seemed  about  to  drop  into  complete  inanition. 

But  it  was  not  all  discouragement,  even  during  this 
darkest  hour.  There  was,  in  a  few  places  at,  least, — 
especially  in  Philadelphia  and  Boston, — a  growing 
interest  in  the  Commission.  As  we  have  seen,  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  of  these  and  several 
other  cities  early  engaged  with  vigor  in  work  for  the 
army,  alike  in  the  camps  at  home  and  among  the  soldiers 
in  the  field ;  but  the  Boston  and  Philadelphia  Associa- 
tions from  the  first  gave  hearty  co-operation  and  support 
to  the  Christian  Commission.  In  the  closing  months 
of  the  year  other  Associations  gave  similar  assistance. 
Some  local  societies  and  benevolent  individuals  also  sent 
their  benefactions  for  the  soldiers  through  this  channel. 

16 


122  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Up  to  August  20,  1862,  as  reported  by  the  Chairman  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Commission  at  that  date,  the  cash 
receipts  were  $5,902,  and  the  value  of  books  and  stores 
donated  was  $11,880.75. 

Most  important  of  all,  on  May  14,  1862,  the  first 
deputation  was  sent  to  the  army  for  personal  work 
among  the  soldiers,  —  "agents,"  as  they  were  then  called; 
"Delegates,"  as  these  workers  were  afterwards  universally 
named.  They  numbered  fourteen, — ten  clergymen  and 
four  laymen.  They  went  out  as  a  delegation  from  the 
Philadelphia  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  but 
held  their  authority  from  the  Christian  Commission 
and  acted  under  its  direction,  receiving  from  it  money 
and  supplies.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  unique  and 
mighty  movement.1  Other  Delegates  followed  from  day 
to  day,  so  that  at  the  meeting  of  August  20  it  was 
reported  that  fifty-five  had  been  sent  out,  of  whom  nine 
were  still  in  the  field. 

At  this  August  meeting  several  changes  were  made. 
Rev.  Dr.  Cutler  resigned  from  the  Commission.  Rev. 
Dr.  Patterson  resigned  his  position  as  General  Agent, 
"  on  account  of  his  duties  to  his  church,"  at  the  same 
time  "  expressing  his  gratitude  for  the  opportunity  of 
engaging  for  a  time  in  this  blessed  work."  Rev.  W.  E. 
Boardman  was  appointed  to  the  office.  Mr.  Boardman 

1  This  was  not  the  first  experiment  of  such  service  in  the  array,  although  the 
first  by  the  Commission.  Besides  the  visits  of  Mr.  Colyer  and  his  coadjutors, 
from  the  New  York  Association,  as  already  noticed,  the  St.  Louis  and  Chicago 
Associations  sent  delegates  to  Fort  Donelson,  after  its  fall,  February  16,  1862, 
and  to  the  battle-field  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  7.  The  Third  Annual 
Report,  p.  16,  says,  "  With  his  own  hand  General  Grant  wrote  the  pass  and 
order  for  transportation  for  Eev.  Robert  Patterson,  D.  D.,  and  his  companions, 
who,  witli  Messrs.  B.  F.  Jacobs  and  D.  L.  Moody,  ministered  to  the  wounded 
at  Fort  Donelson." 


THE    FIRST   YEAR.  123 

had  previously  spent  several  weeks  in  visiting,  in  behalf 
of  the  Commission,  the  military  hospitals  and  posts  in 
Maryland  and  Virginia,  "opening  up  the  way"  for  the 
services  of  Delegates.  Addresses  were  also  prepared, 
which  were  afterwards  issued,  appealing  to  the  Christian 
public  and  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations 
for  coroperation  and  assistance.  Messrs.  Stuart  and 
Demond  were  constituted  a  Committee  to  which  were 
referred,  with  full  powers,  the  filling  of  vacancies  exist- 
ing in  the  Commission  and  the  Executive  Committee, 
the  location  of  the  headquarters  of  the  Commission, 
the  obtaining  of  an  office,  and  the  appointment  of  a 
Treasurer. 

No  subsequent  meeting,  either  of  the  Commission  or 
the  Executive  Committee,  was  held  during  the  year. 
But  the  work  was  carried  forward,  with  continual 
increase,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  Chairman, 
who  was  in  constant  communication,  in  person  and  by 
letter,  with  the  other  members  of  the  Committee.  The 
Delegates  to  the  army  soon  discerned  more  clearly  some- 
thing of  the  nature  and  extent  of  the  necessities  to  be 
met.  They  visited  the  more  important  battle-fields  of 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  at  the  West,  and  were 
with  the  wounded  and  sick  in  the  field  hospitals,  upon 
the  transports,  and  in  the  large  general  hospitals  estab- 
lished near  the  seat  of  war.  The  hospitals  located  in  our 
Northern  cities,  and  remote  from  the  army,  were,  as  a 
general  rule,  wisely  and  safely  left  to  local  patriotism 
and  sympathy  for  extra-governmental  assistance,  except 
such  superintendence  and  organization  of  the  abundant 
voluntary  relief  as  might  devolve  upon  the  Army  Com- 
mittee or  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  the 


124  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

place.  These  army  labors  of  the  Commission,  then, 
during  the  year,  included  General  McClellan's  Penin- 
sula campaign,  with  the  seven  days'  fight  before  Rich- 
mond; the  battles  of  Bull  Run  (second  of  that  name), 
South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Murfrees- 
boro' ;  General  Banks's  New  Orleans  Expedition ;  be- 
sides the  hospitals  at  Yorktown,  Acquia  Creek,  Fal- 
mouth,  Fortress  Monroe,  Alexandria,  Camp  Convales- 
cent, Washington,  Annapolis,  Baltimore,  Point  Lookout, 
Frederick,  Louisville,  Nashville,  etc.,  etc. 

The  experience  acquired  from  these  labors,  and  the 
reports  made,  had  a  very  important  bearing  upon  the 
plans  of  the  Commission,  and  did  much  towards  inform- 
ing and  directing  the  sentiment  of  the  people  at  home. 
What  was  needed  and  what  was  practicable  became  better 
understood.  It  was  seen  that  the  Commission  could,  if 
properly  organized  and  administered,  do  a  valuable  work 
that  would  otherwise  be  left  undone,  in  saving  life,  secur- 
ing bodily  comfort,  and  preaching  the  gospel  to  the  army. 

The  relations  of  the  Commission  to  the  government, 
and  to  the  military,  medical  and  clerical  authorities  in 
the  field,  readily  adjusted  themselves  as  the  parties  came 
to  know  each  other  from  personal  intercourse,  and  could 
thus  understand  what  was  really  desirable.  There  was 
at  first  occasional  friction  both  with  the  military  and 
medical  officers.  When  it  is  remembered  that  there 
were  many  societies  and  individuals  asking  for  special 
government  favors,  and  that  the  Commission  was  not  yet 
compactly  organized,  nor  its  national  character  estab- 
lished, it  will  not  be  regarded  as  strange  that  Mr.  Stanton, 
Secretary  of  War,1  and  General  Halleck,  Commander- 

1  Secretary  Stanton  became  the  steadfast  friend  of  the  Commission.     On 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  125 

in-Chief,  sometimes  placed  restrictions  upon  its  action 
which  at  the  time  seemed  severe  and  were  undoubtedly 
needless.  It  is  perhaps  true  that  some  of  the  officers  of 
the  army  were  never  heartily  favorable  to  the  Commis- 
sion, but  these  were  fewr  in  number.  Restrictions  were 
gradually  removed,  as  those  in  the  highest  authority 
became  -satisfied  that  the  operations  of  the  Commission 
would  be  for  the  permanent  advantage  of  the  soldiers.1 
On  several  occasions  General  McClellan,  while  at  the 
head  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  manifested  his  interest 
in  the  Commission,  by  letter  and  in  conversation  with  the 
Delegates,  and  declared  his  readiness  to  accord  it  every 
proper  facility. 

The  surgeons,  in  the  beginning,  were  hardly  favorable 
to  the  presence  among  their  patients  of  men  who  had 
neither  professional  training  nor  experience,  and  whose 
only  recommendation  was  the  earnest  desire  to  do  good. 
But  it  was  found  upon  experiment  that  the  Delegates 
were  practical  men,  that  they  could  do  much  in  many 
ways  to  alleviate  the  terrible  and  almost  boundless  suffer- 
ing, and  that  their  words  of  comfort,  delicacies  of  food, 
and  religious  ministrations,  were  in  themselves  sanitary 
agencies  of  the  greatest  value.2  So  the  surgeons  were  in 
time  conciliated,  and  their  natural  professional  prejudice 
overcome.  Many  of  them  volunteered  their  grateful 

several  occasions  he  granted  to  it  extraordinary  facilities,  and  signified  his 
readiness  to  do  whatever  might  be  asked,  — using  his  personal  and  official 
influence  in  behalf  of  the  Commission's  interest. 

1  See  Note  at  close  of  chapter. 

2  Rev.  S.  Hopkins  Emery,  of  Quincy,  Illinois,  writing  under  date  of  Nov.  11, 
1863,  speaks  of  having  statedly  held  religious  services  in  two  of  the  ho-q.iuls 
there  during  the  previous  year,  and  adds,  "The  physicians  in  charge  testify 
that  it  has  been  an  advantage  to  the  men  in  every  particular.     Prayer,  or 
some  sweet  hymn  of  praise,  is  oftentimes  better  than  medicine." 


126  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

testimony  to  the  efficient  and  opportune  labors  of  the 
Commission;  Under  date  of  Nov.  22, 1862,  after  having 
several  times  temporarily  placed  restrictions  upon  the 
Commission's  agents,  Surgeon-General  William  A.  Ham- 
mond wrote,  "  I  shall  always  be  ready  to  aid  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission  in  any  way  that  may  be 
in  my  power." 

The  chaplains  could  not  fail  to  welcome  the  Commis- 
sion, when  they  came  to  understand  it  fully,  for  it  was 
their  chief  ally,  the  open  channel  to  the  abundance  of 
the  church  at  home,  and  they  joyfully  testified  their 
gratitude  for  hospital  supplies,  religious  reading,  and 
personal  assistance. 

But  of  vastly  greater  worth  and  satisfaction  than  all 
this  official  endorsement  and  approval,  was  the  welcome 
given  by  the  thousands  of  common  soldiers  in  all  parts 
of  the  army,  and  in  every  arm  of  the  service.  No  grati- 
tude was  like  theirs,  and  no  official  commendation  at  all 
comparable  to  their  hearty  and  constant  "  God  bless 
you."  In  the  language  of  General  Grant,  "  To  the  Com- 
mission the  army  felt  the  same  gratitude  that  the  loyal 
public  felt  for  the  services  rendered  by  the  army."  The 
Christian  Commission  was  for  the  soldier  the  representa- 
tive of  home  and  kindred,  and  the  old  Sunday-school 
and  church;  and  its  most  enduring  record  is  in  the 
rescued  lives,  revived  hopes,  relieved  pains,  and  penitent 
souls  led  to  Christ,  among  those  who  filled  the  places  of 
peril  and  suffering  along  our  widely  extended  lines. 

Most  of  the  leading  telegraph,  railroad,  steamboat, 
and  express  companies,  whose  facilities  were  essential 
to  the  prompt  performance  of  the  Commission's  work, 
signified  their  readiness  to  serve  the  Commission 


THE    FIRST   YEAR.  127 

either  without  charge  or  at  a  large  discount  from  usual 
rates.  The  American  Bible  Society,  the  two  national 
Tract  Societies,  and  other  Publication  Societies  and 
Boards  began  that  assistance  by  grants  and  co-operation 
which  subsequently  became  systematic  and  most  import- 
ant. Meanwhile  the  action  of  all  the  various  influences 
suggested  drew  upon  the  Commission  more  and  more  the 
attention  of  the  public.  The  religious  and  secular  press 
gave  accounts  of  its  movements,  and  published  extracts 
from  the  reports  and  letters  of  its  Delegates.  The  Dele- 
gates themselves,  on  returning  to  their  homes,  told  the 
story  of  their  new  and  wonderful  experience  to  their 
churches  and  communities,  and  thus  made  known  the 
necessities  and  opportunities  presented  by  the  army. 
Soldiers  who  had  been  helped  by  the  Commission  con- 
firmed its  statements  by  letters  to  their  friends,  and  thus 
became  efficient  canvassing  agents  for  its  treasury. 
Numerous  public  meetings  were  held,  in  cities  and  towns, 
addressed  by  those  who  had  been  upon  the  field,  im- 
parting information,  quickening  sympathy,  and  organ- 
izing the  growing  interest  and  benevolence.  Especially 
to  those  Christian  people  who  saw  with  delight  that  by 
the  method  of  the  Commission's  distribution,  through 
volunteer  and  unpaid  Delegates,  there  was  a  certainty 
that  the  soldiers  received  what  was  sent  them,  and  that 
with  a  care  for  bodily  relief  the  chief  place  was  given  to 
spiritual  needs,  the  Commission  commended  itself  as  the 
most  economical,  direct,  comprehensive,  and  efficient 
of  the  several  benevolent  agencies  in  the  field.  Mr. 
Demond  writing  from  Boston  under  date  of  July  21, 
1862,  speaks  of  the  increased  favor  toward  the  Commis- 
sion after  the  earliest  Delegates  had  gone  to  the  army. 


128  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

He  says,  "  The  two  ideas,  of  spiritual  aid  and  the  direct 
giving  of  needed  articles  to  the  sick  and  wounded  by 
known  and  trusty  agents,  are  powerful  with  us."  These 
two  ideas  were  the  basis  and  life  of  the  delegate  system, 
which  developed  itself  with  great  rapidity  and  became 
the  means  of  incalculable  good.  It  was  the  Commission's 
principal  distinction  and  chief  strength. 

Of  course  the  effect  of  the  movements  in  the  several 
departments  of  the  Commission's  work  was  felt  most 
powerfully  by  the  central  organization.  It  was  seen  that 
to  co-operate  efficiently  with  the  army,  and  to  use  advan- 
tageously the  enlarging  benevolence  of  the  Christian 
public,  there  must  be  more  system  at  home  and  in  the 
field.  Delegates  were  left  too  much  to  their  own  dis- 
cretion, which  was  not  always  wise ;  and  there  was  too 
much  dependence  for  resources  upon  the  undirected 
generous  impulses  of  the  people,  which  were  not  always 
safe.  Thoroughly  to  organize  the  work,  in  its  two  great 
branches  of  supply  at  home  and  relief  in  the  army,  was 
the  pressing  necessity.  This  was  no  easy  task,  for  the 
work  continually  outgrew  the  channels  made  for  it,  and 
could  not  be  overtaken. 

Philadelphia,  the  residence  of  the  Chairman,  had  be- 
come during  the  summer  of  1862  the  centre  of  the  Com- 
mission's business.  It  could  hardly  be  otherwise  than  that 
its  main  office  should  be  located  there,  as  the  reasons  for 
fixing  it  in  New  York  had  been  counterbalanced  by  other 
considerations.  Mr.  Demond,  who  with  Mr.  Stuart 
had  been  constituted  a  committee  to  fill  vacancies  and 
make  necessary  changes,  wrote  to  Mr.  Stuart,  from 
Boston,  Sept.  6,  1862,  "  My  own  opinion  is  that  it  is 
best  to  make  the  headquarters  at  Philadelphia,  having 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  '129 

the  Treasurer  there ;  and  adding  the  Treasurer  to  the 
Executive  Committee,  and  putting  Mr.  Crozer  on  the 
Executive  Committee,  so  that  you  will  have  a  quorum 
there."  Mr.  Stuart  writes  to  Mr.  Morrison,  Secretary, 
from  Philadelphia,  Sept.  9,  "  The  headquarters  seem  to 
be  settling  in  this  city,  whether  we  will  or  not."  Mr. 
Morrison  replies  from  South  Orange,  N.  J.,  Sept.  12, 
"  It  seems  almost  inevitable,  under  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  the  Commission,  that  the  headquarters  should 
settle  in  Philadelphia."  Several  changes  therefore  were 
made  in  September,1  so  that  at  the  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mission held  in  Philadelphia,  January  29,  1863,  "the 
committee  with  power  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  Commission 
and  Executive  Committee,  and  to  establish  the  place 
of  Headquarters,"  reported,  "  That  they  had  appointed 
Rev.  James  Eells,  D.  D.,  of  Brooklyn,  and  Jay  Cooke, 
Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  upon  the  Commission,  in  place  of 
B.  F.  Manierre  and  Rev.  Dr.  Cutler,  resigned;  and  John 
P.  Crozer  and  Jay  Cooke  on  the  Executive  Committee ; 
Joseph  Patterson,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  Treasurer,  in 
place  of  B.  F.  Manierre,  resigned;  and  Rev.  W.  E. 
Boardman,  Secretary,  in  place  of  Rev.  Archibald  M. 
Morrison,  resigned ;  and  established  the  headquarters  in 
Philadelphia,  in  the  office  and  store  of  the  Chairman, 
(13  Bank  street),  who  has  given  their  use  to  the  Com- 
mission."2 This  report  was  approved,  and  the  action  of 

1  A  letter  from  Mr.  Demond  to  Mr.  Morrison,  dated  "  No.  13  Bank  street, 
Philadelphia,  Sept.,  1862,"  shows  that  he   was  at  that  time  in  consultation 
with  Mr.  Stuart,  and  that  the  new  appointments  for  the  Commission  and  Execu- 
tive Committee,  and  to  the  offices  of  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  had  just  been 
agreed  upon. 

2  The  headquarters  thua  secured  for  the  Commission  were  ample  and  con- 
venient.    They  were  generously  given  by  Mr.  Stuart,  rent  free,  during  the 

17 


130  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  Committee  confirmed.  Also,  the  several  addresses 
prepared  and  voted  in  August  were  published  in  the 
early  autumn,  and  thus  the  work  of  the  Commission 
was  more  fairly  brought  before  the  public.1 

The  Executive  Committee  as  newly  organized,  con- 
sisted of  Geo.  H.  Stuart  (chairman),  Rev.  E.  S.  Janes, 
of  New  York,  Charles  Demond,  of  Boston,  John  P. 
Crozer  and  Jay  Cooke,  of  Philadelphia.  (The  Secre- 
tary and  Treasurer,  although  attending  the  meetings  of 
the  Committee  and  advising  with  it,  were  not  added  as 
members  ex  officio  until  1864.)  A  meeting  was  held  at 
the  new  office,  January  8  and  9, 1863.  Besides  arrang- 

war.  Bank  is  a  small  street,  intermediate  between  Second  and  Third,  and 
leading  from  Market  to  Chestnut.  The  building  of  Messrs.  Stuart  &  Brother 
is  a  neat  and  substantial  brick,  fireproof,  four  stories  in  height  above  the  base- 
ment, about  sixty  feet  wide,  comprising  the  two  Nos.,  11  and  13,  and  extending 
in  length  from  Bank  to  Strawberry  street,  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet. 
At  first  the  Commission  occupied  a  corner  in  Mr.  Stuart's  private  office,  in  No. 
13,  but  was  soon  removed  to  the  second  floor  of  No.  11,  —  a  spacious  room 
thirty  feet  wide  by  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  long.  The  Bank  street  front 
was  used  for  office  purposes,  while  the  remainder  of  the  room  was  used  for 
packing  and  shipping  the  various  purchases  and  donations  of  goods  and  read- 
ing matter.  Other  accommodations  for  storage,  etc.,  were  furnished  when 
needed. 

1  Rev.  Alexander  Reed,  then  of  Parkesburg,  Pa.,  now  of  Philadelphia, 
was  appointed  General  Superintendent,  November  1,  1862,  after  having  done 
good  service  as  delegate  in  two  or  three  visits  to  the  army.  Mr.  Reed's  official 
connection  with  the  Commission  continued  about  five  months,  for  which  his 
church  granted  him  leave  of  absence.  His  duties  were  many  and  various, 
and  were  discharged  with  zeal,  fidelity,  and  efficiency, — sometimes  calling 
him  to  the  army,  sometimes  keeping  him  at  the  central  office,  and  again  requir- 
ing him  to  address  public  meetings  or  organize  the  work  at  some  important 
point.  At  the  end  of  the  period  named  Mr.  Reed  returned  to  his  pastorate,  as 
there  was  no  indication  of  an  early  close  of  the  war,  and  his  church  greatly 
needed  his  presence.  The  office  of  General  Superintendent  or  General  Agent 
was  not  continued  beyond  Mr.  Reed's  term  of  service,  —  the  better  organiza- 
tion of  the  Commission  showing  that  the  duties  of  this  position  could  be  more 
satisfactorily  discharged  by  being  distributed  among  the  executive  officers  at 
home  and  the  agents  in  the  field. 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  131 

ing  for  a  public  anniversary  and  general  meeting  of  the 
Commission,  and  adopting  measures  for  a  more  vigorous 
and  systematic  prosecution  of  its  work  at  home  and  in 
the  army,  some  questions  were  acted  upon  which  affected 
its  policy  and  the  scope  of  its  operations.  It  was  also 
"  Voted,  That  it  is  highly  important  to  obtain  free  access 
to  the  armies  and  to  the  field  hospitals  within  the  army 
lines,  for  the  prosecution  of  the  work  of  the  Commission 
by  its  delegates ;  and  that  Bishop  Janes  be  requested  to 
take  charge  of  the  matter,  and  if  need  be  to  visit  Wash- 
ington to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  with  the 
Government."  The  duty  thus  devolved  upon  Bishop 
Janes  was  performed  as  soon  as  practicable.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  Commission,  January  29,  he  reported 
that  he  had  visited  Washington,  that  he  was  cordially 
received  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  had  received 
from  him,  in  his  own  handwriting,  the  following 

MEMORANDUM. 

WASHINGTON  CITY,  January  24,  1863. 

Bishop  Janes  is  authorized  to  state  that  he  has  received  assur- 
ance from  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  every  facility  consistent  with 
the  exigencies  of  the  service  will  be  afforded  to  the  Christian  Com- 
mission, for  the  performance  of  their  religious  and  benevolent  pur- 
poses in  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  forts,  garrisons, 
and  camps,  and  military  posts.  E.  M.  STANTON. 

A  meeting  of  the  Commission  at  large  was  held,  as 
above  indicated,  at  the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association,  Philadelphia,  Thursday,  January  29, 
1863.  Six  of  the  twelve  members  were  present, — Geo. 
H.  Stuart,  Bishop  E.  S.  Janes,  Chas.  Demond,  J.  D. 
Hill,  M.  H.  Miller,  J.  P.  Crozer,— with  the  Secretary 
and  Treasurer.  The  work  of  the  year  was  reviewed, 


132  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  action  of  the  Executive  Committee  and  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  fill  vacancies  was  approved,  and  new  plans 
laid  for  the  future.  In  the  evening  of  the  same  day 
the  first  public  anniversary  was  held  in  the  Academy 
of  Music,  Mr.  Stuart  in  the  chair.  The  immense 
audience-room,  according  to  the  papers  of  the  day, 
"  was  crowded  to  overflowing  with  a  highly  respectable 
audience."  An  abstract  of  the  Annual  Report  was 
read  by  the  Secretary ;  addresses  were  delivered  by  the 
Chairman,  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Patterson,  Bishop  Matthew 
Simpson,  Col.  S.  M.  Bowman,  Hon.  Wm.  E.  Dodge,  and 
Ex-Governor  James  Pollock.  The  devotional  exercises 
were  conducted  by  Rev.  Drs.  R.  Newton  and  J.  H. 
Kennard.  Similar  public  meetings,  or  repetitions  of 
the  anniversary,  were  held  in  New  York,  Boston,  and 
Washington.  In  New  York,  at  the  Academy  of  Music, 
Sunday  evening,  Feb.  8;  Lieutenant-General  Scott  pre- 
sided, and  addresses  were  made  by  Major-General  Burn- 
side,  Colonel*  McKean,  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Rev.  Dr.  S. 
H.  Tyng,  Hon.  W.  E.  Dodge,  and  Revs.  Alex.  Reed, 
H.  D.  Ganse,  and  J.  T.  Duryea.  In  Boston,  at  Music 
Hall,  Sunday  evening,  Feb.  15 ;  E.  S.  Tobey  presided, 
and  addresses  were  made  by  Rev.  Dr.  John  Cotton 
Smith,  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  and  Geo.  H.  Stuart.  In 
Washington  City,  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, by  special  vote  of  the  House,  Sunday  evening, 
Feb.  22,— Washington's  Birth-day;  Chief-Justice  S. 
P.  Chase  presided,  and  addresses  were  made  by  Major- 
General  O.  O.  Howard,  Rear- Admiral  A.  H.  Foote, 
Hon.  Horace  Maynard,  Ex-Governor  James  Pollock, 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  Rev.  J.  T.  Duryea,  Geo.  H. 
Stuart,  and  Jos.  Patterson. 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  133 

These  public  meetings  in  the  principal  Eastern  cities, 
largely  attended  as  they  were  and  widely  reported,  made 
the  Commission  more  fully  known  throughout  the 
country,  as  to  what  it  had  accomplished,  its  methods  of 
operation,  and  its  purposes  for  the  future.  It  should  be 
remarked  also  that  several  of  the  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Associations  and  Army  Committees,  in  the  large 
cities  of  the  West  and  elsewhere,  in  hearty  co-operation 
if  not  organic  union  with  the  Christian  Commission, 
held  public  meetings, — anniversaries  or  others, — at 
the  same  season  with  the  anniversaries  in  the  East,  and 
thus  greatly  aided  in  enlarging  the  influence  and  use- 
fulness of  the  Commission. 

The  work  of  the  Commission  for  the  year  is  given  in 
the  subjoined  statistics, — so  far  as  the  figures  preserved 
can  set  forth  such  a  work.  They  were  presented  at  the 
first  Anniversary  and  published  in  the  first  Annual 
Report.  Besides  indicating  the  range  of  the  Commis- 
sion's operations,  they  show  also  from  what  Associations 
and  Army  Committees,  and  to  what  extent,  it  received 
co-operation  during  the  first  year  of  its  history. 

"In  addition  to  these,"  says  the  Annual  Report, 
"  there  is  much  worthy  of  especial  mention,  of  which  no 
record  has  been  kept.  For  example,  a  large  number  of 
Christian  men  and  women  have  been  associated  as  helpers 
with  our  Delegates  and  committees  in  their  work  in  hos- 
pitals and  camps,  not  included  in  the  1033  reported; 
also,  the  meetings  at  the  seat  of-  war  with  the  soldiers, 
amounting  to  many  thousands;  also,  many  thousands  of 
letters  written  for  the  soldiers  to  their  friends,  or  to 
obtain  discharges  and  descriptive  lists." 


134 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


REPORTS   OF   THE   TREASURERS. 
B.  F.  MANIERRE,  Treasurer,  in  account  with  Christian  Commission. 


To  private  subscriptions,  acknowledged 


in  papers.. 


$915  37 


To  cosh  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  51. 

C.  A.,  Troy 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Boston 


100  00 


To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,Buffalo 50  00 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A..  Amsterdam 51  72 


SU96  51 


By  bills  paid  for  Commission $860  15 

"  incidental  expenses 51  03 

"  expenses  of  Delegates 14188 

"  Geo.   H.   Stuart,  Acting  Treasurer, 

Philadelphia,  remitted  him 100  00 

"  Joseph  Patterson,  Treasurer,  Phila- 
delphia, to  close  accounts 43  45 


$1,190  51 


NEW  YORK,  August,  1862. 


GEO.  H.  STUART,  Acting  Treasurer,  in  account  with  Christian  Commission. 


DR. 
To  private  subscriptions,  acknowledged 

in  papers $4,869  35 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Boston 3,405  00 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Portland 62  60 

To  cash  received  from  B.  F.  Manierre, 

Treasurer,  New  York 100  CO 


CR. 

By  expenses  Delegates  and  Agencies $2,648  59 

"  freightpaidi 39276 

"  incidental  expenses  paid 54  15 

"  billspaid 3,767  13 

"  Joseph  Patterson,  to  close  accounts..  1,574  32 


$8,436  95 


PHILADELPHIA.  September  24, 1862. 


JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  Treasurer,  in  account  with  Christian  Commission. 


To  cash  received  from  B.  F.  Manierre, 

late  Treasurer $43  45 

To  cash  received  from  Geo.  H.  Stuart, 

late  Acting  Treasurer 1,574  32 

To  private  subscriptions,  acknowledged 

in  papers ; ,  8,590  99 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Boston 1,100  00 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Brooklyn 100  00 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  St.  Louis 1,114  00 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Albany 52  81 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Bangor,  Maine 86  75 

To  cash  received  from  Army  Com.  Y.  M. 

C.  A.,  Buffalo 228  90 


$12,891  22 


CR. 

By  expenses  Delegates  and  Agencies $2,550  92 

"  billspaid 8,947  97 

«  freightpaidi 71924 

"  balance,  cash  on  hand 67309 


112,891  22 


PHILADELPHIA,  January  29, 1863. 

1  Most  of  these  freight  expenses  weri 
portation. 


s  paid  prior  to  arrangements  with  many  roads  for  free  trans- 


THE    FIRST    YEAR. 


135 


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II 


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If 


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1111 


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to  o 


ill  « 


SS»     8 


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n 

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HI 


136  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

NOTE   TO   CHAPTER  II. 

GOVERNMENT   FACILITIES   WITHIN   ARMY   LINES. 

(See  page  125.) 

THE  following  facts  are  given,  as  illustrating  the  varying  action 
of  Government  in  granting  facilities  to  the  Commission : — 

In  the  closing  days  of  June,  1862,  occurred  the  seven  days'  battles 
before  Richmond.  The  Delegates  of  the  Commission  wished  to  go 
forward,  but  were  stopped  at  Baltimore.  The  Provost  Marshal  tele- 
graphed Mr.  Stuart  from  Baltimore,  June  30  :  — 

They  can  go  upon  showing  evidence  that  they  are  in  the  service  of  the 
Government,  or  have  the  permission  or  sanction  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

GEO.  R.  DODGE,  Provost  Marshal. 

The  special  sanction  of  the  Secretary  of  War  was  sought,  but 
denied  by  the  following  telegram,  dated  Washington,  June  30,  1862, 
3  o'clock  30  min.  p.  M.:  — 

For  military  reasons  the  passes  for  which  you  apply  cannot  be  granted. 
By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

JOHN  TUCKER,  Ass't  Sec'y  War. 

The  next  day,  for  reasons  not  explained  by  the  correspondence 
now  extant,  the  Delegates  were  allowed  to  proceed,  as  is  seen  by  a 
telegram  dated  at  Baltimore,  July  1,  1862 :  — 

Our  passes  were  cheerfully  granted.     We  go  down  to-morrow. 

JNO.  H.  CASTLE, 
GEO.  W.  ANDERSON. 

Four  days  later  the  Provost  Marshal  at  Baltimore  again  tele- 
graphs Mr.  Stuart,  under  date  of  July  5 : — 

An  order  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  dated  July  4,  precludes  from  issuing 
permits  except  to  those  in  the  military  and  naval  service.  Application  must 
be  made  to  Surgeon-General  W.  A.  Hammond,  at  Washington. 

GEO.  R.  DODGE,  Provost  Marshal. 

The  Surgeon-General,  being  applied  to,  telegraphed  from  Wash- 
ington to  Mr.  Stuart,  under  date  of  July  10 :  — 


THE   FIRST   YEAR.  137 

None  but  Government  employes  are  now  permitted  to  go  to  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Qualified  physicians  and  nurses  will  be  employed,  and  passes  sent 
them,  but  not  for  a  less  period  than  three  months. 

W.  A.  HAMMOND,  Surgeon-General. 

On  the  23d  of  July,  the  Surgeon-General  again  telegraphs  Mr. 
Stuart,  in  reply  to  another  application :  — 

No  more  passes  are  granted.  WM.  A.  HAMMOND. 

Efforts  being  continually  made,  by  the  representatives  of  the  Com- 
mission in  Washington  and  at  other  points,  to  get  Delegates  through 
the  lines,  they  were  more  or  less  successful,  with  constant  interrup- 
tions and  delays,  so  that  men  were  sent  forward  every  few  days. 
But  the  restrictions  were  not  permanently  removed,  nor  were  they 
imposed  seemingly  upon  any  principle  or  with  consistency  of  action. 
In  the  latter  part  of  July,  a  rigorous  order  to  exclude  civilians  from 
the  army  was  interpreted  by  the  authorities  at  Baltimore  and  For- 
tress Monroe  as  applying  to  the  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. Under  date  of  August  1,  Mr.  Stuart  communicated  this  fact 
to  General  McClellan,  and  requested  that  the  interpretation  be 'so 
modified  as  not  to  shut  out  the  Commission's  Delegates.  General 
McClellan  replied  from  the  Headquarters  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
August  5,  as  follows :  — 

I  am  directed  by  the  Commanding  General  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  letter  of  the  1st  instant,  and  to  say  that  he  takes  pleasure  in  the  compli- 
ance with  your  request.  Letters  have  been  addressed  to  the  Provost  Marshal 
at  Baltimore,  and  General  Dix,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  requesting  that  the  agents 
of  the  Christian  Commission  be  granted  passes  to  visit  this  army,  on  your 
application.  I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

S.  WILLIAMS, 
Assistant  Adjutant- General. 

In  August,  Rev.  W.  E.  Boardman  was  deputed  to  go  to  Wash- 
ington, to  consult  with  the  President  and  others,  and  to  secure  per- 
manently, if  possible,  access  to  the  army.  He  writes  to  Mr.  Stuart, 
August  16,  1862,  of  the  "decisive  visit  of  the  day"  to  General 
Halleck: — "His  answer  was  brief,  definite,  and  decisive.  All  hos- 
pitals and  camps  this  side  of  Virginia  are  open  to  us  for  our  agents 

18 


138  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  supplies,  and  all  supplies  for  the  army  in  Virginia  will  be  duly 
forwarded  and  faithfully  delivered  as  we  may  direct,  but  NO  PASSES 
will  be  given  at  present  to  go  to  any  part  of  the  army  in  Virginia. 
The  arrangement  of  General  McClellan  with  the  Commission  is 
revoked.  No  exceptions  will  be  made  under  any  circumstances"  The 
reason  given  is  that  such  favors  will  "  bring  upon  them  a  swarm 
of  applications  from  others."  Mr.  Boardman  remarks,  "This  rigid 
rule  is  understood  to  be  temporary,  and  may  soon  be  relaxed." 

August  30,  Mr.  J.  W.  Garrett,  President  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Railroad,  telegraphed  Mr.  Stuart  from  Baltimore :  — 

I  have  instructions  from  the  War  Department  regarding  parties  going  to 
aid  of  the  wounded  in  late  battle.  I  will  order  all  tickets  by  you  for  this 
object  to  be  recognized  without  pay  by  parties  holding,  and  will  arrange  the 
same  with  the  Government  at  Washington,  and  am  satisfied  that  a  large 
number  can  accomplish  much  good  by  labor  among  the  wounded  if  promptly 
present. 

Two  days  later,  Sept.  1,  Surgeon-General  Hammond  telegraphs 
Mf.  Stuart  from  Washington :  — 

An  abundance  of  surgical  assistance  and  medical  supplies  is  on  hand. 

August  28,  1862,  Mr.  Stuart  addressed  the  Secretary  of  War,  pro- 
posing, in  behalf  of  the  Commission,  "  to  furnish,  free  of  expense  to 
the  Government,  two  chaplains  for  each  division  of  the  army."  The 
Secretary  replied,  Sept.  18,  through  his  Assistant,  Mr.  P.  H.  Wat- 


The  Secretary  of  War  directs  me  to  ....  inform  you  that  on  reference 
to  the  Surgeon-General  he  reports  as  follows — "From  the  records  of  this 
office  it  appears  that  many  more  chaplains  are  appointed  than  there  are  posi- 
tions to  which  to  assign  them.  It  is  my  opinion  that  the  services  of  the  chap- 
lains here  offered,  being  entirely  voluntary,  would  be  entirely  independent  of 
military  authority,  and  I  recommend  that  this  offer  be  declined." 

The  next  official  note  preserved  is  from  Surgeon-General  Ham- 
mond, dated  at  Washington,  Nov.  22,  1862,  in  which  he  says: — 

I  shall  always  be  ready  to  aid  the  Christian  Commission  in  any  way  that  is 
in  my  power. 

A  letter  from  the  Commission  to  Major-General  Burnside,  then 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  139 

commanding  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  dated  Nov.  26,  1862,  speaks 
of  the  pleasant  relations  with  General  McClellan,  asks  for  a  continu- 
ance of  favors,  and  says,  "  We  desire  nothing  new,  unless  the  recent 
change  of  command  and  position  renders  it  necessary." 

Still  the  way  was  more  or  less  hedged  up.  Letters  from  Mr.  Bal- 
lantyne,  Rev.  Alexander  Reed  (General  Superintendent),  Mr.  F.  E. 
Shearer  (Agent  at  Washington),  and  others,  during  November, 
December,  and  January,  speak  of  their  persistent  endeavors,  aided 
by  prominent  public  men,  to  get  passes,  and  keep  the  way  open ; 
but  generally  without  avail.  Mr.  Reed  writes  from  Washington, 
Dec.  13, — "I  could  weep  in  secret  places  all  night,  over  the  distress- 
ing and  annoying  fact  that  men  are  suffering  and  we  can't  relieve 

them I  have  tried  every  avenue  in  vain."  Transportation 

was  granted  for  stores,  but  not  for  Delegates.  The  chief  hindrance 
seemed  to  be  with  Secretary  Stanton  *  and  General  Halleck,  and  the 
chief  objection  was  that  they  did  not  want  "  a  loose,  unmanageable 
element,  outside  of  military  and  medical  control,"  which  they  had 
had  "  difficulty  in  controlling  on  former  occasions." 

January  24,  1863,  Secretary  Stanton  gave  to  Rev.  Bishop  E.  S. 
Janes  the  memorandum  printed  on  p.  131. 

The  following  telegram,  dated  at  the  War  Department,  May  9, 
was  received  the  same  day  in  New  York,  and  reached  the  office  in 
Philadelphia  May  11  (Monday)  :  — 

Rev.  Bishop  Janes:  —  General  Hooker  has  given  positive  directions  that 
attendance  and  medical  supplies  shall  not  be  allowed  to  go  down  until  called 
for.  The  information  received  by  the  Department  is  that  at  present  the  atten- 
dance and  supplies  are  ample,  and  in  view  of  the  limited  means  of  land  trans- 
portation, compared  with  the  enormous  demand  for  supplies,  there  should  be 
no  encumbrance  by  superfluity.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  reports  to  the  Depart- 
ment show  the  great  energy  and  beneficial  results  of  your  Association,  and 
every  facility  consistent  with  imperative  military  necessity  will  be  accorded. 

E.  M.  STANTON. 

Under  date  of  May  14,  1863,  Mr.  Cole  wrote  to  Mr.  Stuart:— 

I  had  yesterday  an  interview  with  General  Patrick,  and  I  am  happy  to  say 
that  I  have  got  the  promise  of  passes  for  all  regular  Delegates.  So  I  think  in 
future  there  need  be  no  delay  in  furnishing  Delegates,  who  are  to  remain  from 
six  to  eight  weeks,  with  passes.  Transportation  for  stores  is  also  secured,  and 
everything  geems  to  be  right  for  a  successful  work. 

1  See  p.  134,  and  the  uote  there. 


140  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Brigadier-General  M.  R.  Patrick,  here  referred  to,  was  Provost 
Marshal  General  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  from  November, 
1862,  until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  Commission  found  in  him 
a  constant  and  most  faithful  friend.  He  watched  over  its  interests 
with  the  love  of  a  Christian  and  the  fidelity  of  a  soldier,  giving 
it  at  all  times  the  wisdom  of  his  personal  counsels  and  the 
influence  of  his  office.  As  Provost  Marshal  General  he  issued 
all  passes  for  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  except  in  special  cases, 
and  he  fully  kept  the  above  promise  to  the  Commission  unto 
the  end. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Commission,  held 
May  22,  1863,  Bishop  Janes  and  Mr.  Demond  were  appointed  a 
special  committee,  and  empowered  to  proceed  to  Washington,  "  to 
endeavor  to  adjust  permanently  with  the  authorities  the  matter  of 
passes,  transportation,  and  facilities  within  army  lines,  in  the  various 
Military  Departments  East  and  West."  This  committee  reported  at 
a  meeting  held  August  10,  that  they  "  had  interviews  with  Secretary 
Stanton  and  various  army  officers,  and  obtained  assurances  that 
every  facility  consistent  with  military  necessities  shall  be  granted." 

At  the  meeting  just  referred  to,  August  10,  the  question  was  pre- 
sented, growing  out  of  representations  from  the  Commission's  agents 
in  the  West,  "  What  shall  be  done  to  secure  certain  additional  facili- 
ties in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland?"  It  was  referred  to  Mr. 
Demond,  with  instructions  to  draw  up  a  letter,  to  be  addressed  by 
the  Chairman  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  This  was  done.  The  Secre- 
tary replied,  by  asking  for  "  a  more  specific  statement  of  the  facili- 
ties desired."  Such  a  statement  was  made  out,  after  consultation 
with  the  General  Field  Agent  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
(Rev.  E.  P.  Smith),  in  a  letter  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Demond.  The 
final  answer  from  the  War  Department  was,  that  "  application  must 
be  made  for  the  facilities  desired  directly  to  the  Department,  in  each 
particular  instance." 

The  repeated  assurances  above  recited  were,  with  a  few  exceptions, 
made  good  during  the  remainder  of  the  Avar. 

The  following  Special  Order  from  General  Grant,  while  in  com- 
mand of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  fitly  closes  this  Note.  It  is 
the  more  valuable,  as  illustrating  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  the  man 
in  his  subsequent  relations  to  the  Christian  Commission.  In  Sep- 


THE    FIRST    YEAR.  141 

tember,  1864,  he  extended  the  order,  so  as  to  make  it  embrace  all 
Departments  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States. 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OP  THE  MISSISSIPPI,  1 
IN  THE  FIELD,  CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  Dec.  12,  1863.     / 
Special  Orders,  No.  32.     Ex. 

All  officers  holding  commands  in  the  Military  Division  of  the  Mississippi, 
are  hereby  required  to  extend  every  facility,  not  inconsistent  with  the  public 
service,  to  all  Delegates  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission,  and  aid 
them,  by  every  legitimate  means  in  their  power,  to  the  accomplishment  of  the 
benevolent  and  charitable  purposes  of  the  Commission. 

Permission  will  at  all  times  be  granted  by  the  proper  military  authorities  to 
such  Delegates  to  pass  to  all  parts  within  the  lines,  without  hindrance  or 
molestation. 

The  Commissary  Department  will  at  all  times  sell  to  such  Delegates,  upon 
certificates  similar  to  those  given  by  officers,  such  stores  as  they  may  need  for 
their  own  use. 

Military  telegraph  lines  will  transmit  for  such  Delegates  all  messages  relat- 
ing to  the  business  of  the  Commission. 

The  Quartermaster's  Department  will,  upon  application,  furnish  such  Dele- 
gates and  their  stores  free  transportation  upon  all  Government  steamers  and 
military  railroads  to  and  from  such  points  within  the  Military  Division  as  their 
duties  may  require  them  to  visit. 

By  order  of  MAJOR-GENERAL  U.  S.  GRANT. 

GEO.  K.  LEET,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  SECOND  YEAR. 

WHEN  the  second  year  of  the  Commission's  work 
began,  the  number  of  auxiliary  associations  and  com- 
mittees throughout  the  North  was  forty-four ;  when  it 
closed,  the  number  was  one  hundred  and  eleven.  This 
may  fairly  stand  as  an  index  of  the  Commission's  growth, 
and  its  improvement  in  method  and  efficiency  was  per- 
haps equal  to  its  enlargement.  Its  first  anniversaries, 
largely  attended  as  they  were,  and  participated  in  by 
men  of  national  reputation  in  all  departments  of  the 
public  service,  gained  for  it  the  general  ear.  The  sim- 
plicity and  directness  in  its  modes  of  operation ;  the 
fullness  of  its  financial  exhibits ;  the  endorsement  of 
prominent  clergymen  and  others  who  had  visited  the 
army  in  its  service;  the  appreciation  of  the  soldiers 
themselves,  with  their  officers,  surgeons,  and  chaplains;1 

1  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  a  proposition  by  the  Commission  to  provide 
volunteer  chaplains  for  the  army,  one  for  each  brigade,  was  misapprehended 
by  some  of  the  regular  chaplains.  This  gave  rise,  for  a  little  while,  to  unplea- 
sant discussion  and  alienation  in  a  few  cases.  But  the  misapprehension  soon 
passed  away,  and  the  result  was  a  better  understanding  of  the  Commission  by 
the  chaplains  and  a  more  hearty  co-operation.  The  proposition  originated 
with  the  New  York  Committee,  and  was  endorsed  by  the  Central  Executive 
Committee  on  the  3d  of  March.  The  design  was  benevolent,  —  neither  to 
disparage  the  chaplaincy  nor  to  interfere  with  it,  but  to  assist  it  in  every 
142 


THE   SECOND    YEAR.  143 

the  increasing  favor  of  government,1  and  the  manifest 
blessing  of  God, — all  these  strengthened  the  Commis- 
sion's hold  upon  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  multi- 
plied its  resources.2 

As  the  year  opened,  and  the  President's  Proclamation 
of  Emancipation  gave  definiteness  and  character  to  the 
contest,  the  feeling  prevailed  that  the  war  would  assume 
larger  dimensions,  involve  a  thorough  reshaping  of  the 
national  policy,  and  perhaps  be  protracted  through  years. 
"  The  policy  of  emancipation  and  of  employing  black 
soldiers  gave  to  the  future  a  new  aspect,  about  which 
hope  and  fear  and  doubt  contended  in  uncertain  con- 
flict  It  was  all  the  while  deemed  possible  that 

the  necessity  for  it  [i.  e.  emancipation]  might  come,  and 
that  if  it  should,  the  crisis  of  the  contest  would  then  be 
presented."3  These  changes  in  public  sentiment  and 
governmental  action,  and  in  the  attendant  enlargement 

way.  The  form  and  tone  of  the  first  circular,  however,  were  unfortunate,  and 
the  whole  movement,  as  was  soon  discovered,  was  unwige. 

1  In  addition  to  what  is  stated  elsewhere,  the  following  extracts  from  a  letter 
of  General  Geo.  G.  Meade,  commanding  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  will  be  of 
interest.     It  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Stuart,  from  the  headquarters  of  the  army, 
under  date  of  August  5,  1863.     " It  will  afford  me  very  great  plea- 
sure to  render  you  every  encouragement  and  facility  in  my  power  to  prosecute 

the    good  and   holy  work  you  have  entered  upon You  may  rest 

satisfied  that  in  this  army  your  agents  and  assistants  will   receive  every  co- 
operation, and  be  treated  with  all  the  consideration  due  the   important  and 
noble  work  they  are  engaged  upon.    I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  when- 
ever anything  occurs  requiring  ray  action,  and  shall  always  be   ready,  as  far 
as  the  exigencies  of  the  service  and  my  authority  will  permit,  to  comply  with 
your  wishes." 

2  Striking  illustrations  of  this  are  seen  in  the  prompt  and  noble  offerings 
made  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg ;  as  also  for  our  prisoners  in  Richmond; 
the  generous  contributions  at  Saratoga,  to  send  ice  to  Charleston,  and  the  large 
collections  on  the  Day  of  National  Thanksgiving. 

3  President  Lincoln's  Message,  Dec.  9,  1863. 


144  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  improvement  of  the  army,  were  reflected  in  the 
movements  of  the  Commission,  which  drew  its  life  from 
the  popular  feeling,  and  adapted  its  operations  to  the 
varying  exigencies,  forms  of  organization,  and  methods 
of  conduct  of  the  forces  in  the  field.  As  early  as  August 
12,  1862,  Bishop  Janes  had  written  to  Mr.  Stuart, — 
"  The  demand  for  the  services  of  the  Commission,  in  my 
judgment,  is  likely  to  continue  a  long  time.  It  will  be 
well  for  us  to  mature  our  plans  and  strengthen  our 
agency  as  much  as  possible." 

There  was  urgent  demand  for  more  of  system  in  the 
Commission's  army  work.  Hitherto,  indeed,  there  had 
been  nothing  worthy  the  name  of  army  organization^ — 
no  "  controlling  head  or  permanent  agency  in  the  field." 
Delegates  had  gone  out  in  companies,  each  company, 
whether  containing  three  or  thirty,  constituting  one  of 
its  number  a  captain,  and  carrying  their  own  stores. 
They  went  to  such  field  or  hospital  as  was  most  needy  or 
most  accessible,  and  worked  in  such  way  as  their  judg- 
ment or  resources  and  opportunity  determined.  Their 
time  of  service  was  left  to  their  own  convenience.  Thus 
each  company  had  to  experiment  for  itself,  did  not  seem 
to  represent  a  permanent  and  continuous  agency,  and  was 
likely  to  leave  very  few  and  feeble  traces  of  its  work. 
That  much  good  was  done  by  this  method,  or  want  of 
method,  must  be  gratefully  acknowledged ;  that  much 
good  was  hindered,  through  inexperience,  by  misappli- 
cation and  loss  of  stores,  and  by  failure  to  gain  fully  the 
confidence  of  surgeons,  chaplains,  and  soldiers,  it  would 
be  wrong  to  deny.  But  this  was  slowly  improved,  as 
the  necessity  and  conditions  of  efficient  co-operation 
with  the  government  and  the  army  were  better  under- 


THE   SECOND    YEAR.  145 

stood.  The  last  of  the  "companies"  thus  sent  out  was 
to  Murfreesboro',  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  in  the 
first  days  of  January,  1863. 

The  plan  of  army  organization  ultimately  adopted, 
but  which  it  required  months  to  perfect,  was  to  appoint 
a  General  Field  Agent,  with  one  or  more  Assistants,  in 
each  army.  This  General  Agent  had  supervision  of  the 
entire  work  in  his  field,  establishing  stations  as  needed, 
assigning  Delegates  to  the  various  stations,  keeping  up 
the  supply  of  stores  and  publications,  representing  the 
Commission  in  its  intercourse  with  the  military  and 
other  authorities  in  the  army,  and  being  directly  respon- 
sible to  the  Central  Executive  Committee.  Permanent 
Station  Agents  were  appointed,  one  for  each  corps,  to 
act  under  the  instructions  of  the  General  Field  Agent, 
and  to  direct  the  labors  of  the  Delegates  who  might  be 
assigned  them.  Delegates  were  required  to  enter  the 
service  for  a  period  of  at  least  six  weeks,  unless  specially 
excused,  and  to  be  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  Field 
Agents.  A  permanent  organization  was  thus  secured, 
composed  of  a  few  men  carefully  chosen,  after  having 
been  tried  as  volunteer  workers.  They  were  constantly 
familiar  with  all  the  necessities  and  opportunities  of  the 
work,  kept  guard  over  the  stock  and  stores  of  the  Com- 
mission, and  could  turn  to  immediate  use  the  earnest 
but  unskilled  zeal  of  the  new  Delegates.  A  system  of 
reports, — not  perfected  and  fully  introduced,  however, 
until  a  year  later, — furnished  the  requisite  information 
for  the  Agents  and  for  the  Executive  and  Auxiliary 
Committees.  This  information  also,  so  far  as  desirable, 
was  communicated  to  the  public  through  various  chan- 
nels. Thus  an  interest  in  the  work  was-  sustained,  and 

19 


146  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

a  record  of  its  method  and  achievements  preserved. 
This  plan  of  organization  resulted  from  the  suggestions 
of  men  in  the  field,  who  felt  the  need  of  it,  and  from 
the  deliberations  of  the  Commission. 

A  few  particulars  upon  the  points  thus  sketched  are 
here  proper.  John  A.  Cole,  of  Medway,  Massachusetts, 
was  the  first  General  Field  Agent  appointed.  He  went 
to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  as  a  Delegate,  August  20, 
1862,  and  remained  nine  months  without  compensation. 
He  was  the  first,  as  his  letters  show,  to  appreciate  the 
necessity  of  a  thorough  organization  of  the  Commission's 
army  work,  to  urge  it  upon  the  Executive  Committee, 
and  to  indicate  the  main  features  which  the  organization 
should  possess.  He  received  his  official  appointment 
early  in  the  spring  of  1863,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac, — his  field  subsequently  includ- 
ing all  the  forces  operating  against  Richmond.  As 
speedily  as  possible,  which  was  by  no  means  as  speedily 
as  he  desired,  he  put  his  designs  into  execution,  with 
such  modifications  as  experience,  deliberation,  and  neces- 
sity suggested.  The  Executive  Committee  in  accepting 
Mr.  Cole's  resignation  at  the  close  of  the  work,  Sep- 
tember 1,  1865,  thus  recalled  his  early  efforts  in  shap- 
ing the  army  organization  of  the  Commission: — "In 
accepting  this  resignation  we  express  to  Mr.  Cole  our 
grateful  appreciation  of  the  steadfast  purpose,  the  Chris- 
tian fidelity,  and  the  unselfish  and  unremitted  toil  with 
which  he  has  prosecuted  our  field  work  for  three  years 
past,  attaining,  through  God's  smile,  to  a  success  wider, 
and  more  permanent  and  blessed,  than  our  strongest  faith 
dared  anticipate.  And  we  here  record  our  conviction 
that  to  his  sagacity  in  originating,  his  wisdom  in  plan- 


THE   SECOND   YEAR.  147 

ning,  and  his  resolute  continuance  in  executing,  we  are 
indebted  for  much  of  the  work  that  was  peculiar  and 
very  happy  in  the  armies  of  Virginia ;  and  this  being 
the  earliest  and  the  largest  field  occupied  by  the  Com- 
mission, to  Mr.  Cole  is  rightly  due  the  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  he  has  largely  given  shape  and  character 
to  our  field  work  in  other  armies." 

The  salaries  of  the  permanent  agents  in  the  field  varied 
in  amount  from  $40  to  $70  per  month,  according  to  posi- 
tion, with  subsistence  and  incidental  expenses.  In  a  few 
cases,  owing  to  some  peculiarity  of  circumstances,  a 
larger  compensation  was  paid,  but  the  excess  was  made 
up  independently  of  the  Commission's  treasury. 

In  the  Minutes  of  the  Executive  Committee  for  May 
22,  1863,  it  is  recorded: — "Upon  recommendation  of 
John  A.  Cole,  Field  Agent  in  the  Army  of  the  Poto- 
mac, Rev.  Edward  P.  Smith,  tried  as  a  Delegate,  was 
selected  from  the  corps  of  Delegates  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  sent  as  a  Field  Agent  to  the  West, 
with  instructions,  stores,  and  publications,  to  open  a  sys- 
tematic work  of  Christian  labor,  Scripture  distribution, 
and  supply  of  religious  reading -matter  and  stores,  in 
the  Army  of  General  Rosecrans  (Department  of  the 
Cumberland).  Having  commenced  the  work  remark- 
ably well,  Mr.  Smith  was  further  instructed  to  organize 
and  commence  a  similar  work  in  the  Department  of  the 
Ohio,  under  General  Burnside." 

Mr.  Smith,  who  had  been  a  pastor  in  Pepperell,  Mass., 
entered  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  as  a  Delegate,  January 
26,  1863,  and  continued  in  the  service  of  the  Commis- 
sion until  it  dissolved.  He  left  for  the  West  in  the  last 
days  of  March.  April  6,  he  reports  himself  in  Nash- 


148  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ville,  "  waiting  on  officials,"  where  also  he  finds  "  the 
Commission  in  bad  repute."  Two  days  later  he  writes 
from  Murfreesboro',  after  having  had  "an  interview, 
under  favorable  circumstances,  with  General  Rosecrans," 
and  announces  that  the  Commission  is  "  established  in 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland." 

In  the  Department  of  the  Ohio,  General  Burnside 
welcomed  the  presence  of  the  Commission  and  favored 
it  to  the  extent  of  his  power.  The  peculiar  position  and 
service  of  this  Army,  as  operating  for  the  relief  of  East 
Tennessee,  made  it  largely  dependent  upon  land  trans- 
portation, and  compelled  it  to  dispense  with  every- 
thing that  could  be  deemed  a  military  superfluity. 
However,  much  was  done  through  the  committees  in 
Cincinnati  and  Louisville,  especially  for  the  .post  hospi- 
tals and  more  permanent  camps.  In  November,  Mr.  J. 
R.  Miller,  who  had  been  Assistant  Field  Agent  in  the 
East,  was  sent  to  General  Burnside's  army  to  superin- 
tend the  work.  He  was  an  efficient  laborer,  and  re- 
mained with  the  Commission  until  its  close. 

In  June  Mr.  Smith  visited  the  Army  of  the  Tennes- 
see, commanded  by  General  Grant,  then  before  Vicks- 
burg,  to  prepare  the  way  for  permanent  organization 
there.  Early  in  July,  Mr.  K.  A.  Burnell,  who  had 
been  serving  the  Army  Committee  in  St.  Louis  as  Secre- 
tary, arrived  in  Memphis  as  Field  Agent,  and  began  a 
very  successful  work.  He  remained  in  the  work  through 
the  war.  The  ample  facilities  and  constant  encourage- 
ment afforded  by  General  Grant  and  his  subordinates 
were  of  great  value. 

In  October  the  Departments  of  the  Cumberland,  the 
Tennessee,  and  the  Ohio,  were  consolidated  into  one,  called 


THE   SECOND    YEAR.  149 

the  Department  of  the  Mississippi,  with  General  Grant  in 
command.  While  in  this  position  he  issued,  in  behalf  of 
the  Commission,  the  Special  Order  printed  on  page  141. 
Mr.  Smith,  in  giving  the  history  of  that  order,  writes  to  M  r. 
Boardman  under  date  of  Chattanooga,  Nov.  18,  "I  went 
to  the  headquarters  of  the  Division  of  the  Mississippi 

this  morning,  with  fear  and  trembling I  appealed 

to  General  Grant,  preparing  my  document  carefully,  and 
making  it  general  so  as  to  cover  all  his  command.  I 
asked  for  five  things, — 1,  An  endorsement  of  the  Com- 
mission by  the  Commanding  General  to  his  officers, 
authorizing  them  to  give  all  facilities  not  inconsistent 
with  the  public  service ;  2,  Passes  for  Delegates  within 
the  lines ;  3,  Transportation  for  Delegates  and  stores ;  4, 
Use  of  military  telegraph ;  5,  Privilege  of  purchasing 
of  commissary  and  quartermaster's  department,  for  the 
use  of  the  Delegates.  The  General  received  me  easily  ; 
read  my  papers  with  attention ;  said  an  order  should  be 
issued,  covering  the  points  made,  as  soon  as  he  had 
leisure  to  prepare  it ;  laid  my  paper  on  the  Adjutant's 
desk,  saying,  '  There  is  a  paper  to  which  I  wish  to  give 
attention.'  He  tjien  directed  the  Adjutant  to  make  out  a 
pass  and  free  transportation  for  me  to  any  part  of  his  entire 
command,  till  further  order,  and  put  his  autograph  to  it. 
I  came  back  all  the  way  to  our  quarters  with  my  heart 
full  of  the  first  line  of  the  '  Doxology  in  Long  Metre/" 
Mr.  Smith  writes  further  from  Nashville,  Dec.  22, 
"  General  Grant's  facilities  have  given  us  a  new  footing 
entirely." 

As  already  indicated,  visits  had  been  frequently  made 
among  the  Western  troops,  beginning  with  their  very 
earliest  engagements,  by  Delegates  from  the  Army  Com- 


150  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

mittees  and  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  of  Cin- 
cinnati, Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Peoria,  etc.  These  had 
taken  reading -matter  and  stores,  often  acting  as  distri- 
butors for  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and  ministering 
personally  among  the  men  by  holding  religious  services. 
But  the  movements  now  briefly  described  inaugurated 
more  permanent  and  systematic  operations. 

It  should  be  noticed  here  that  many  of  the  Commis- 
sion's most  successful  army  agents,  who  continued  in  its 
service  through  the  war,  began  their  labors  within  the 
first  half  of  this  year  or  earlier.  To  the  names  men- 
tioned above  may  be  added  those  of  Rev.  E.  F.  Wil- 
liams, Rev.  F.  G.  Ensign,  T.  R.  Ewing,  Win.  A.  Law- 
rence, Rev.  J.  F.  Loyd,  and  H.  C.  Houghton.  Possibly 
there  were  others.  It  was  the  fortune  of  the  Commis- 
sion, which  should  be  gratefully  recognized,  to  be  served 
alike  in  the  field  and  on  the  home  committees  by  men 
of  rare. devotion  and  ability.  Both  the  unsalaried  and 
the  salaried  workers  are  entitled  to  this  praise.  There 
were  exceptions,  but  they  were  in  a  very  small  minority 
and  of  short  continuance,  especially  among  the  per- 
manent agents  ancl  committee-men.  ^ 

The  Auxiliary  Commission  in  New  York  City  had 
charge  of  the  work  in  the  navy,  among  the  blockading 
squadrons  and  coast  expeditions,  in  the  coast  ports  and 
the  Department  of  the  Gulf, — thus  extending  along  a 
line  of  two  thousand  miles,  from  New  York  to  New 
Orleans,  and  including  about  one-fourth  of  the  national 
forces.  Their  principal  stations,  beside  the  New  York 
office,  were  Portsmouth,  Va.,  Newbern,  N.  C.,  Beaufort, 
S.  C.,  and  New  Orleans.  These  served  as  centres  for 
the  prosecution  of  the  work  in  every  direction.  Owing 


THE   SECOXD   YEAR.  1  .">  1 

to  the  distance  of  their  stations,  and  the  difficulty  and 
slowness  of  transportation,  the  New  York  Committee 
employed  their  Delegates  for  a  period  of  not  less  than 
six  months.  Many  of  them  served  for  from  one  to  two 
years.  They  were  also  paid  a  small  salary  and  fur- 
nished their  own  subsistence.  Less  was  done  by  the 
Commission  in  this  department  in  the  way  of  supplying 
sanitary  stores,  and  more  exclusive  attention  paid  to  the 
distribution  of  reading -matter  and  personal  religious 
ministrations.  Among  the  permanent  agents,  while  all 
did  well,  special  mention  should  be  made,  because  of 
their  long-continued  services,  of  Rev.  E.  N.  Crane  in 
Eastern  Virginia,  and  Hon.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  M.  D.,  in 
New  Orleans. 

Such  is  a  rapid  sketch  of  the  field  presented  to  the 
Commission.  In  the  larger  cities  and  towns,  and  their 
immediate  neighborhoods, — particularly  along  the  great 
central  war-line,  which  stretched  from  Washington  City 
to  the  Mississippi  River, — were  hospitals,  camps,  forts, 
etc.  Many  of  these  were  primary  or  secondary  bases 
of  supply  for  the  various  armies.  These  places  were 
included  in  the  Commission's  plan  of  operations,  which 
conformed  itself  to  the  military  organization,  and  were 
superintended  by  local  committees  or  agents,  generally 
acting  in  co-operation  with  some  General  Field  Agent. 

With  this  survey  of  the  army  as  distributed  for  work, 
let  us  look  at  the  arrangements  made  for  its  supply,  for 
it  was  felt  that  organization  was  quite  as  essential  at 
home  as  in  the  field.  Although  this  organization  was 
not  very  thoroughly  carried  out  during  the  year,  yet 
the  necessity  was  developed,  and  a  beginning  was  ma.lc. 
Experience  showed  that  if  the  Army  Committees  within 


152  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

a  convenient  district  were  charged  with  the  duty  of  sup- 
plying a  particular  army  with  Delegates  and  stores,  the 
supply  could  be  made  more  constant  and  regular,  and 
the  interest  for  effort  at  home  would  be  greater.  As  the 
result  of  correspondence  and  conference  with  the  army 
agents  and  other  leading  workers,  a  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mission at  large  was  held  in  Philadelphia,  October  15  and 
16.  There  were  present  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  chairman ;  Rev. 
Bishop  Janes,  New  York ;  Rev.  R.  H.  Neale  and  Chas. 
Demond,  of  Boston;  Jay  Cooke  and  John  P.  Crozer, 
Philadelphia;  Rev.  M.  L.  R.  P.  Thompson,  Cincinnati; 
John  V.  Farwell,  Chicago ;  Rev.  Jas.  Eells,  Brooklyn  ; 
Jos.  Patterson,  Treasurer;  Rev.  W.  E.  Boardman,  Secre- 
tary. By  invitation  there  were  also  present  the  follow- 
ing representatives  of  the  several  Army  Committees 
named, — J.  W.  Mclntyre,  St.  Louis;  G.  S.  Griffith  and 
Rev.  Geo.  P.  Hays,  Baltimore ;  D.  L.  Moody,  Chicago ; 
N.  Bishop  and  F.  G.  Foster,  New  York;  E.  C.  Walker, 
Detroit ;  Rev.  John  F.  Ernst,  Buffalo ;  P.  B.  Simons, 
Philadelphia;  W.  Ballantyne,  Washington.  In  addi- 
tion to  these  the  meeting  was  attended  by  Rev.  Benj. 
Parsons,  Field  Agent,  just  from  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland; Rev.  J.  F.  Sutton,  recently  returned  from 
the  Gulf  Department ;  and  Rev.  C.  P.  Lyford,  Agent 
at  Camp  Convalescent. 

The  work  since  the  previous  meeting  in  January  was 
passed  in  review.  It  included  the  fields  of  Gettysburg, 
Chickamauga,  and  many  others;  the  wonderful  scenes  of 
Camp  Convalescent,  Annapolis,  Nashville,  Memphis, 
etc. ;  the  relief  of  the  famished  prisoners  at  Richmond, 
and  the  sweltering  sufferers  before  Charleston ;  beside 
the  regular,  growing  efforts  for  imparting  bodily  relief 


THE   SECOND   YEAR.  153 

and  carrying  the  Gospel  of  Christ  throughout  the 
armies.  All  this  will  come  before  us  more  fully  here- 
after. During  the  nine  months  822  Delegates  had 
been  sent  out,  nearly  $200,000  in  cash  received,  and 
disbursements  made,  including  donated  stores,  etc.,  of 
over  $300,000.  While  it  was  devoutly  recognized  that 
there  was  very  much  in  the  relief  and  comfort  bestowed, 
the  lives  saved,  the  hope  and  courage  awakened,  the  sin 
prevented,  and  the  souls  converted,  to  move  the  grati- 
tude and  thankfulness  of  all,  it  was  manifest  that  much 
more  systematic  and  earnest  effort  would  be  requisite  if 
the  increasing  exigencies  and  opportunities  were  to  be 
even  approximately  met.  A  general  plan  of  home 
organization  and  co-operation  was  therefore  adopted, 
after  careful  deliberation,  interchange  of  views,  and  dis- 
cussion. The  main  points  were:— 

I/  The  Central  Executive  Committee  to  exercise  gene- 
ral oversight  of  the  whole  work,  with  direct  control  and 
support  of  the  General  Field  Agents,  Assistants,  and  Local 
Agents.  By  co-operation  from  the  Auxiliaries  of  New 
England,  Western  New  Jersey,  Eastern  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  Maryland,  Washington  City,  etc.,  the  Cen- 
tral Committee  were  also  to  have  immediate  charge  of 
the  work  in  the  Eastern  Armies. 

2.  The  New  York  Committee,  as  already  noticed,  to 
supply  the  navy,1  the  coast  defenses,  and  the  Gulf  De- 

1  The  subjoined  letter  shows  the  estimate  put  upon  the  Commission's  work 
by  the  naval  authorities.  Similar  instructions  were  sent  to  the  other  navy 
yards,  and  were  officially  communicated  to  the  Central  Office  of  the  Com- 
mission. 

BUREAU  OF  EQUIPMENT  AXD  RECRUITIXO,  ) 
WASHINGTON,  February  16,  1863.      J 
ADMIRAL:— 

This  Bureau  has  been  charged  with  the  duty  of  attending  to  the  requisitions 
20 


154  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

partment,  and  to  draw  their  resources  from  the  States  of 
New  York,  Connecticut,  and  Eastern  New  Jersey. 

3.  The  Auxiliaries  in  Pittsburg,  Cincinnati,  Indian- 
apolis, and  Louisville,  to  give  special  attention  to  the 
Departments  of  the  Ohio  and  Cumberland. 

4.  Chicago,  Peoria,  St.  Louis,  Detroit,  and  Milwaukee, 
to  assume  similar  charge  of  the  troops  in  Missouri  and 
the  Department  of  the  Tennessee,  with  all  forces  further 
West  and  South,  to  the  line  of  the  Gulf  Department. 

5.  Each  Auxiliary  was  to  organize  local  societies  in 
its  own  district,  collect  funds,  and  secure  Delegates  and 
commission  them.     All  commissions,  however,  were  to 
issue  from  the  Central  Office,  duly  numbered  and  signed 
by  the  Chairman, — being  sent  in  blank  to  the  Commit- 
tees, by  which  a  full  statement  of  their  use  was  to  be 
made.     Surplus  funds,  after  paying  expenses  of  Dele- 
gates, purchasing  necessary  supplies,  transportation  and 
other  local  charges,  were  to  be  sent  to  the  general  trea- 
sury.    All  supplies  needed  from  the  East  were  to  be 
purchased  through  the  Central  Executive  Committee. 
A  system  of   reports  was  also  arranged,  between  the 

of  the  Christian  Commission  for  the  Army  and  Navy,  so  far  as  the  navy  is 
concerned.  It  is  the  wish  of  the  Department  to  have  forwarded  moral  and 
religious  works,  with  hospital  delicacies,  etc.,  to  the  different  squadrons  in  ves- 
sels bound  to  these  squadrons.  You  will  please  therefore  have  the  beneficent 
object  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  view,  and  afford  it  every  possible  reason- 
able accommodation  consistent  with  the  public  interest,  and  forward  such  articles 
as  it  wishes  for  the  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  those  engaged  in  the 
naval  service. 

Please  refer  to  the  Bureau  applications  for  passage,  which  must  be  made  and 
indorsed  by  some  one  in  connection  with  the  Association. 

The  officers  of  the  Society  are  gentlemen  of  the  highest  standing  in  New 
York.     Respectfully,  etc., 

A.  H.  FOOTE,  Chief  of  Bureau. 
REAR  ADMIRAL  HIRAM  PAOT/DIXG, 

Commanding  Navy  Yard,  New  York. 


THE   SECOND    YEAR.  155 

home-committees  and  their  army  districts,  and  between 
all  these  and  the  Central  Office. 

This  plan,  with  modifications  and  subsequent  enlarge- 
ment, was  in  a  general  way  adhered  to  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  war.  Indeed,  no  complete  and  thorough 
organization  throughout  the  country  was  ever  effected, 
although  it  was  approximated  by  some  local  committees, 
as  for  example  by  the  one  at  Pittsburg.  The  work  was 
too  vast,  the  territory  too  large,  and  especially  was  the 
reliance,  properly  and  necessarily,  too  much  upon  the 
voluntary  and  spontaneous  action  of  the  people,  to  admit 
of  rigid  and  thorough-going  organization.  But  the 
resources  and  the  power  lost  from  want  of  system  were 
largely  made  up  by  the  heartiness  and  constancy  with 
which  patriotic  and  Christian  devotion  stood  under  its 
burdens  until  the  last. 

The  details  of  the  year's  work  in  the  army  are  given 
in  subsequent  chapters.  They  show  a  large  advance 
upon  the  preceding  year.  The  total  receipts  and  expen- 
ditures had  increased  four  fold, — the  cash  alone  in  a 
much  larger  ratio.  The  number  of  Delegates  sent  into 
the  field  was  only  a  little  less  than  four  times  the  force 
of  1862.  A  better  understanding  of  the  character  and 
needs  of  the  soldiers  was  manifest,  in  the  superior  class 
of  literature  furnished.  The  weekly  and  monthly  reli- 
gious newspapers,  desirable  pamphlets  and  magazines, 
and  well-selected  libraries  of  valuable  standard  books 
were  extensively  circulated.  These  labors  and  benefac- 
tions were  shared  by  the  camps,  hospitals,  forts,  military 
prisons,  and  naval  forces.  The  great  battle-fields  of  the 
year, — including  Stone  River,  Chancellorsville,  Gettys- 
burg, Vicksburg,  Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  etc., — 


156  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

were  of  course  most  prominent  among  the  scenes  of  the 
Commission's  activity,  and  everything  was  done  that 
their  resources  rendered  possible  in  relieving  suffer- 
ing, and  preaching  the  Gospel  to  sick,  wounded,  and 
well,  alike  among  friends  and  captured  foes.  One  event, 
however,  of  unusual  interest  at  the  time,  may  be  nar- 
rated here.  We  refer  to  the  relief  of  our  prisoners  of 
war  in  Richmond.  The  story  is  briefly  and  clearly  told 
in  the  subjoined  paragraphs  from  the  Annual  Report 
for  1863.  These  might  be  abundantly  illustrated  from 
the  correspondence  of  the  period,  were  it  necessary  or 
desirable. 

Instantly  upon  the  reception  of  intelligence  from  Chat- 
tanooga that  Rev.  John  Hussey1  had  been  taken,  on  the 
20th  of  September,  and  probably  carried  captive  from 
the  Chickamauga  to  Richmond,  inquiry  by  letter  was 
made  of  the  Richmond  authorities  whether  he  had 
arrived  there,  and  the  answer  returned  that  there  was 
"no  such  man  in  any  of  the  prisons  in  and  around 
Richmond."  The  same  mail,  however,  brought  a  letter, 
dated  "  Castle  Thunder,"  from  Mr.  Hussey  himself,  ask- 
ing the  Commission  to  send  him  food  and  clothing  to 
relieve  him  from  hunger  and  cold,  and  to  secure,  if  possi- 
ble, his  early  release.  A  letter  was  written  to  Mr.  Jay 
Cooke,  then  at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  to  procure  a  testimonial 
from  such  of  the  thousands  who  had  been  benefited  at 
Gettysburg  by  Delegates  of  the  Commission,  as  might 
be  found  on  Johnson's  Island,  to  send  forward  to  Rich- 
mond for  the  purpose  of  influencing  the  release  of  Mr. 

1  Mr.  Hussey  was  a  Delegate,  from  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  sent  out  by  the 
Cincinnati  Branch.  He  was  taken  prisoner  while  ministering  to  the  wounded, 
just  after  the  battle  of  the  Chickamauga. 


THE   SECOND    YEAR.  157 

Hussey.      Mr.    Cooke   promptly   returned  the   follow- 
ing:— 

DEPOT  FOR  PRISONERS,  "i 

JOHNSON'S  ISLAND,  NEAR  SANDUSKY,  OHIO,  October  31,  1863.  j 
The  undersigned,  prisoners  of  war  at  Johnson's  Island,  do  hereby 
certify  that,  from  their  personal  knowledge  and  experience,  the  Dele- 
gates of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission,  in  their  Christian 
efforts  to  relieve  the  sick  and  wounded  of  the  various  battle-fields, 
make  no  difference  or  discrimination  between  the  contending  parties, 
relieving  alike  the  sufferings  and  wants  of  the  Confederate  and 
Federal  men  and  officers ;  and  we  therefore  sincerely  trust,  that  the 
authorities  at  Richmond  and  elsewhere  will  treat  any  of  said  Dele- 
gates that  may  fall  into  their  hands  with  the  kindness  justly  due 
to  them,  and  grant  them  a  speedy  return  to  their  Christian  work. 
(Signed  by  forty-eight  Confederate  soldiers,  mostly  officers.) 

Without  waiting  for  the  answer  from  Mr.  Cooke,  a 
letter  was  written  to  Mr.  Hussey,  stating  that  an  appeal 
for  his  release  would  be  made  to  the  authorities  in  Rich- 
mond immediately,  upon  the  ground  that  he  was  a  non- 
combatant,  a  Delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
taken  on  the  battle-field,  where  he.  was  under  authority 
ministering  to  the  wounded;  that  the  Delegates  had 
always  ministered  alike  to  friend  and  foe;  that  the  thou- 
sands of  rebel  wounded  at  Gettysburg  had  been  kindly 
cared  for  by  them ;  that  the  Commission  was  doing  all 
that  could  lawfully  be  done  for  those  then  in  Fort  Dela- 
ware, and  that  testimonials  to  this  effect  would  be  sent 
forward.  This  letter,  as  it  passed  under  the  scrutiny  of 
the  Commissioner  at  Richmond,  decided  the  release  of 
Mr.  Hussey  without  delay.  The  appeal  was  formally 
made,  and  the  testimonials  transmitted;  but  already, 
before1  they  arrived,  the  released  Delegate  was  happily 
on  his  return.  Simultaneously  with  the  letter  of  Mr. 


158  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Hussey,  came  an  appeal  to  the  Commission  through 
another  channel,  opening  the  way  for  the  transmission 
of  food,  clothing,  an'd  medicine  to  the  suffering  captives 
in  Libby  Prison,  Castle  Thunder,  the  Tobacco  Ware- 
houses, and  on  Belle  Island.  Immediately  a  box  had 
been  packed  and  shipped  for  Mr.  Hussey,  which  was 
received,  not  by  him,  because  he  was  released  the  day 
before  its  arrival,  but  by  Captain  Conover,  of  Ohio,  a 
fellow-captive  and  friend ;  and  with  the  box  for  Mr. 
Hussey,  a  limited  but  choice  shipment  was  made  of  a 
few  boxes  to  Lieutenant  W.  F.  Randolph,  in  Libby 
Prison,  which  was  duly  received  and  gladly  distributed, 
as  intended,  amongst  his  fellow-prisoners.  This  ship- 
ment was  immediately  acknowledged  by  General  Mere- 
dith at  Fortress  Monroe,  and  its  safe  arrival  at  Rich- 
mond announced  by  the  following  letter  from  Major 
John  E.  Mulford,  Assistant  Commissioner  of  Ex- 
change:— 

OFFICE  COMMISSIONER  OF  EXCHANGE,  ) 
FORTRESS  MONROE,  VA.,  November  3,  1863.     / 

GEO.  H.  STUART, 

Chairman  Christian  Commission,  Philadelphia: 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  twenty-one  packages, 
addressed  "  Lieutenant  W.  F.  Randolph,  Fifth  United  States  Artil- 
lery, Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  Virginia,"  and  one  addressed  "  Rev. 
John  Hussey,  Castle  Thunder,  Richmond,  Virginia,"  containing 
clothing  and  other  comforts,  forwarded  by  the  Christian  Commission, 
for  the  benefit  of  our  suffering  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
have  been  received  and  delivered  by  me  to  the  authorities  at  Rich- 
mond, and  I  trust  and  believe  they  have,  ere  this,  found  their  way 
to  and  made  glad  the  hearts  of  many  of  those  for  whom  they  were 
intended. 

Your  noble  Association  cannot  find  a  wider  or  worthier  field  than 
this  for  its  work  of  benevolence  and  charity,  nor  do  I  believe  any 


THE   SECOND    YEAR.  159 

other  where  so  much  good  may  be  done,  or  so  great  an  amount  of 
real  suffering  can  be  alleviated,  as  here,  even  at  the  cost  of  redoubled 
efforts  and  means. 

Should  you  desire  to  make  any  further  shipments,  address  to  the 
party  whom  you  wish  to  receive  and  distribute  the  articles,  in  care 
of  "  Brigadier-General  S.  A.  Meredith,  Commissioner  for  Exchange 
of  Prisoners,  Fortress  Monroe,  Virginia,"  and  forward  by  Adams 
Express.  On  arrival  at  Fortress  Monroe,  such  packages  will  be  for- 
warded to  Richmond  via  flag  of  truce. 

With  heartfelt  thanks  on  behalf  of  the  recipients  of  your  bounty, 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  E.  MULFORD, 
Major  and  Assistant  Agent  for  Exchange. 

Thus  encouraged,  the  Commission  opened  its  doors  to 
receive  all  that  should  be  offered  suitable  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  especially  for  money  to  purchase  articles  most 
needed  and  most  valuable  to  afford  the  required  relief 
and  comfort  to  the  thousands  of  wretched  captives.  The 
touching  and  terrible  statements  made  of  the  condition 
of  the  inmates  of  these  prisons  moved  all  hearts  irre- 
sistibly, and  opened  the  purse  of  the  people  to  supply, 
without  limit,  the  means  of  relief.  The  only  question 
was,  whether  that  which  should  be  sent  could  be  pushed 
through  and  actually  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  prisoners 
themselves.  The  arrival  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 
men  at  Annapolis,  on  the  20th  of  November,  in  the 
most  deplorable  condition,  six  having  died  on  the  way, 
and  very  many  marked  for  the  grave  within  a  few  hours 
or  days  at  the  farthest,  served  to  increase  sympathy  and 
cause  unbounded  indignation.  The  facts  in  the  case 
were  made  public,  and  contributions  flowed  in  apace. 
Stores  were  purchased,  packed,  and  sent  forward  daily. 


160  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

From  day  to  day  despatches  and  letters  from  General 
Meredith  and  Major  Mulford  were  received,  and  occa- 
sionally an  acknowledgment  directly  from  the  prisons, 
showing  that  the  goods  shipped  were  faithfully  delivered 
and  distributed  to  the  prisoners.  Efforts,  though  always 
unsuccessful,  were  made  at  different  times  and  in  various 
ways,  to  obtain  consent  of  the  Richmond  authorities  to 
the  residence  of  one  or  more  agents  of  the  Christian 
Commission  in  Richmond,  in  the  prisons  if  not  else- 
where in  the  city,  to  receive  and  distribute  the  supplies 
sent.  The  narrow  channel  open  was  evidently  clogged 
soon  after  the  tide  of  relief  from  the  North  commenced 
setting  in  to  the  rebel  capital,  and  every  day  seemed  to 
clog  it  still  further.  It  is  charitable,  and  perhaps  true, 
to  say  that  the  means  of  transportation  from  City  Point, 
where  our  flag  of  truce  boat  delivered  all  to  the  flag  of 
truce  boat  for  transmission  to  Richmond,  was  utterly 
insufficient  for  the  conveyance  of  all  that  came  pouring 
in  from  the  open  hands  of  the  people  in  the  loyal  States. 
However  that  may  be,  at  last  the  announcement  came 
that  nothing  more  would  be  received,  except  packages 
from  private  persons  to  individual  prisoners,  and  very 
reluctantly  the  Christian  Commission  ceased  this  most 
beneficent  work. 

On  being  released  from  prison  Rev.  Mr.  Hussey  fur- 
nished a  public  statement  of  his  experiences  and  ob- 
servations while  in  rebel  hands.  As  illustrative  of  the 
times  a  few  sentences  are  here  given.  After  recounting 
the  incidents  of  his  journey  from  the  field  of  Chicka- 
mauga,  Mr.  Hussey  says  :  — 

At  length  we  reached  Richmond,  and  were  placed  in  Castle 
Thunder,  where  all  civilian  prisoners,  whether  Northern  or  Southern 


THE    SECOND    YEAR.  161 

loyalists,  are  placed.  There  were  about  six  hundred  of  the  former 
and  eight  hundred  of  the  latter  incarcerated  when  we  arrived.  The 
Southern  Unionists  are  mostly  from  East  Tennessee,  North  Carolina, 
and  Western  and  Northern  Virginia.  Included  among  them, 
however,  are  citizens  from  all  parts  of  the  South.  The  prisoners 
receive  one  meal  a  day,  consisting  of  half  a  loaf  of  bread  and  two 
ounces  of  meat.  In  all  the  prisons  of  the  city  the  same  quantity  of 
provisions  is  furnished  to  the  unfortunate  inmates.  In  every  other 
respect  they  are  treated  almost  like  dogs.  They  are  not  provided 
with  any  clothing,  except  what  they  may  have  had  upon  them  when 
captured,  nor  with  blankets  or  bedding  of  any  kind,  but  are  com- 
pelled to  lie  upon  the  bare  and  filthy  floors.  The  inmates  of  Castle 
Thunder,  of  whom  there  are  two  hundred  and  forty  on  the  upper 
floor,  are  crowded  into  apartments  so  small  that  they  are  compelled 
to  sleep  in  parallel  rows,  to  economize  space.  Once  every  three 
weeks  the  floor  is  scrubbed,  when  they  are  allowed  to  proceed  to  the 
prison  yard  for  a  breath  of  fresh  air  and  exercise.  At  no  other 
time  are  they  allowed  to  leave  their  rooms,  upon  any  pretence  what- 
ever. The  prisoners  never  have  a  chance  to  wash  themselves,  as 
neither  soap  nor  water  is  provided  for  them.  Partly  from  this  cir- 
cumstance, partly  from  the  insufficient  supply  of  food,  and  partly 
from  the  foetid  atmosphere  they  are  compelled  to  breathe,  diseases 
of  the  bowels  and  liver  are  very  prevalent,  especially  among  the 
more  advanced  in  life;  and  very  few,  either  young  or  old,  manage  to 
maintain  any  semblance  of  health.  Another  cause  contributing  to 
this  distressing  result  is  the  lack  of  clothing,  already  mentioned. 
Among  the  prisoners  is  a  man  from  New  York,  whose  only  covering 
is  about  a  yard  of  rag  carpet,  and  in  the  eyes  of  his  fellow-sufferers 
his  wardrobe  is  by  no  means  considered  despicable;  and  another,  a 
Baptist  minister,  is  almost  naked.  Since  his  imprisonment  he  has 
heard  of  the  death  of  four  of  his  children ;  but,  notwithstanding  his 
terrible  sufferings,  he  refuses  to  purchase  his  liberty  by  taking  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Confederate  Government.  These  are  by  no 
means  exceptional  cases  of  hardship,  but  I  mention  them  because  they 
came  immediately  under  my  own  observation. 

The  Commission  held  its  public  Anniversaries,  similar 
to  those  of  the  previous  year,  though  having  a  wider 


162 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


interest  and  greater  enthusiasm,  in  Philadelphia,  Jan. 
28,  1864,  and  in  Washington  City,  February  2.  The 
latter  was  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  was  presided  over  by  Hon.  Hannibal  Hamlin,  Vice- 
President  of  the  United  States.  President  Lincoln  and 
several  members  of  his  cabinet  were  present,  and  promi- 
nent men  in  the  various  departments  of  the  Government 
took  part  in  the  exercises. 

The  following  statistical  summaries  for  the  year, 
clearly  show  the  character  and  extent  of  the  Commis- 
sion's resources  and  operations :  — 


TABLE  I.— STATEMENT  OF   THE  TREASUKEK. 
DK.    JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  TREASURER  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION.     CR. 


1863. 
Jan.  28, 

Dec.  31, 

1864. 
Jan.  1, 

To  balance  on  hand,  as  per 
First  Annual  Report  
Cash     from    various     Army 
Committees,  in  1863,  as  per 
Table  II 

$673  09 
100,797  67 

120,743  91 

1863. 
Dec.  31, 

By   cash    paid    for    hospital 
supplies  during  1863  
By  cash  paid  for  publications 

$75,653  61 
58,230  93 
9,592  56 

10,454  37 
9,968  05 
4,440  59 

4,958  33 

2,949  79 
2,370  82 

48  21 
43,547  41 

By  cash    paid    for    chapels, 
tents,  wagons,  etc  
By  cash  paid  drafts  and  re- 
mitted to  agencies,  for  car- 
rying on  tlie  work  in  the 
field  .  

Cash  from  various  local  com- 
mittees, church  collections, 
individual      subscriptions, 
etc  ,. 

To  balance  on  hand  

By  cash  paid  Delegates'  ex- 
penses and  outfits  
By    cash    paid    for    freight, 
drayage,  labor,  etc  
By  cash  paid  salaries  at  Cen- 
tral Office,  and  permanent 
agents  infield  
By  cash  paid  incidental  ex- 
penses,   postage,  aclvertis- 

By  cash    paid    expenses  of 
meetings  and  agents  
By  counterfeit  and    broken 

By  balance  

$222,214  67 

5222,214  67 

$43,547  41 

THE   SECOND    YEAR. 


103 


TABLE  II.— CASH  RECEIPTS  AND  EXPENDITURES  OF  CENTRA^  OFFICE 
AND  OF  BRANCHES  HAVING  A  LOCAL  FIELD  TO  SUPPORT. 


OFFICES. 

Total  receipt*, 
1863,  and  bal- 

186i.*"  ' 

Expended  by 

"-sir* 

Remitted  to 
,  • 
on  account  of 
Central  Office. 

Balance  on 

:  .    .    • 
81.  1*63. 

$121,417  00 
14,600  76 
78,2?0  34 
3,361  21 
4,168  40 
8,182  29 
21,010  22 
3,478  75 
2,376  51 
70384 
436  95 
58,542  49 
1,654  15 
9,302  01 
22,732  56 
3,201  08 
5,108  81 

$178.667  26 
13,218  63 
9,121  22 
2S4  53 
1,593  57 
5,806  14 
6,781  65 
500  52 
247  36 
8233 
236  90 
28,373  40 
B81  :;:, 
1,945  49 
13,684  13 
214  31 
3,572  49 



-i.    ;:  »i 
1,382  13 
4,522  27 
1,426  6S 
974  S3 
372  7S 
12,941  06 
678  23 

"621  51 

1,  ,;..;  n 
772  80 
179  68 
7,567  38 
643  99 
1,029  93 

Hoston  

$64,676  85 
1,650  00 
1,600  00 
2,003  37 
1,286  91 
2,300  00 
2,129  15 

14,00241 

7,176  84 
'  1,481  05 
2,342  78 
506  39 

Buffalo 

'•      Ladies'  O.  C  

Cinciiiniiti..'.  

Harrisburg  

Indianapolis 

Louisville  

Peoria 

Philadelphia,  (Y.  M.  C.  A.)  
Pittsburg 

Portland  
St.  Louis  

Total  for  1863 

1358,239  29 
40,160  29 

$265,211  28' 
40,160  29 

$100,797  67 

?.'..'--     : 

Total  for  1862  

Total  for  1862  and  '63 

$398,399  58 

$305,371  57 

TABLE   III.— PACKAGES   SHIPPED,  STORES   DONATED,  AND  VALUE  OF 
SAME,  WITH  NUMBER  OF  DELEGATES  SENT. 


OFFICES. 

Boxes  shipped 
to  field  or  dis- 
tributed at 
home. 

Boxes 
donated. 

Value  of  donated 
Boxes. 

Dele- 
gate* 

*ent. 

PHILADELPHIA  

6.691 
1575 

3,292 
1,045 

$163.610  24 
25,000  00 

514 
215 

Boston  

573 

1,135 

85,125  00 

175 

Buffalo  Ladies'  C  C     . 

278 

5,155  04 

3 

Chicago  

142 

112 

1,000  00 

41 

400 

325 

14,000  00 

48 

Detroit  

239 

239 

1.000  00 

9 

1,057 

1,057 

26.130  00 

Harris  burp 

65 

65 

2,600  00 

3 

Indianapolis.           .            .           

4 

4 

Louisville 

328 

225 

1,000  00 

5 

New  York 

63 

Peoria 

164 

158 

3,100  00 

6 

Pittsburg  
Portland 

836 
25 

681 
130 

45,708  79 
300  00 

73 

St.  Louis  

11 
648 

11 
648 

60  00 
12,040  00 

30 

Total  for  186.1                           

12,648 

9,301 

PHgM  •>: 

1.IW 

Total  for  1862 

3,691 

2,932 

142,160  00 

374 



Total  for  1862  and  '63                             .... 

16,339 

12,233 

$527,°79  07 

1,683 

\ 



. 

NOTE.— The  boxes  "  donated  "  are  those  which  were  received  from  contributors.  The  difference 
between  the  boxes  "shipped"  and  the  boxes  "donated"  will  show  the  amount  of  Stores  and  Pub- 
licatiuns  purchased  by  the  Commission. 


164 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


TABLE  IV.— PUBLICATIONS  DISTRIBUTED  BY  CENTRAL  AND  BRANCH 
.  OFFICES. 


OFFICES. 

Copies  of 
Scrip- 
tures. 

Hymn& 
Psalm 
Books. 

Knapsack 
Books. 

Libra'y 
Books? 

Magazin's 
and  Pam- 
phlets. 

*»• 

papers. 

Pages  of 
Tracts. 

Silent 
Com- 
forter. 

PHILADELPHIA  

392,145 
1,900 
1,480 

202,858 
600 
25,000 

60,000 
30,000 
350 
500 
32,458 
11,500 
1,506 
4.570 
2,517 

939,930 
800 
20,000 

17,500 
65,000 
1,641 
800 
143,276 

"i',483 

61,420 
2,741 

16,904 
360 
500 

1.500 
1,500 

1,000 
7,633 

-  1.824 

3.800 
4,692 

40,910 
400 

"2,700 
4,700 
5,500 
140 
1,000 
11,609 

47.240 
6,293 

2,198,138 
5,000 
87,000 
13,650 
70,000 
200,000 
450 

182,664 

38,677 
56,275 
79,615 

6,609,752 
500.000 
287,321 

'360,060 
750,000 
7,020 
130,000 
2,150,000 

373,820 
15,040 
853,769 

3,285 

3,285 
830 

4,115 

Boston  
Buffalo                        

Cincinnati 

15,000 
1,373 
10,000 
29,870 
12,000 

""861 
1,086 

Inilhinapolis  
Lcmisvillo  
New  York  
Peoria  
l'hila.lelphia(Y.M.C.A.) 
Pittsburg 

St.  Louis  

Total  for  1863  
Distributed  in  1862  

Total  for  1862  and  '63.. 

465,715 
102,560 

371,859 
130,697 

1,254,591 
115,757 

39,713 
3,450 

120,492 
34,653 

2,931,469 
384,781 

11,976,722 
10,953,706 

568,275 

502,556 

1,370,348 

43,163 

155,145 

3,316,250 

22,930,428 

TABLE  V.— SUMMARY  OF  VALUE  OF  WORK  FOR  1862  AND  1863. 


1863. 
Cash  receipts  at  Central  and  Branch 
Offices  

$358  239  29 

1862. 
Cash  receipts  at  Central  and  Branch 
Offices 

Value  of  stores  donated  

385J829  07 

142150  00 

Delegates'  services  
Scriptures  from  American 
Bible  Society 

72,420  00 
45  071  50 

"         Delegates'  services  
'•         Scriptures  donated  by  the 

21,360  00 

Scriptures    from    British 
and  Foreign  Bible  So- 
ciety   

1,677  79 

Railroad  facilities  
Telegraph  facilities  

13,680  00 
3,650  00 

Railroad  facilities  
Telegraph  facilities  

44,210  00 
9,390  00 

Total  for  1862  
Total  for  1863  

$231,256  29 
916,837  65 

Total  for  1863  

$916,837  65 

Total  for  1863  and  '62  

$1,148,093  94 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  THIRD  YEAR. 

THE  year  1864  was  the  great  year  in  the  history  of 
the  Christian  Commission.  About  one-half  of  its  entire 
work,  as  measured  by  money  and  supplies  received  and 
by  the  number  of  Delegates  commissioned,  was  accom- 
plished during  this  year.  Its  home  organization  was 
enlarged  and  strengthened,  and  its  methods  in  the  field 
considerably  modified  and  improved. 

When  the  spring  campaigns  opened,  the  treasury  of 
the  Commission  was  well-nigh  empty.  For  the  work 
of  the  winter  had  been  heavy  and  expensive,  and  the 
small  balance  on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  had 
been  rapidly  used.  The  public  mind  was  largely  occu- 
pied by  the  series  of  great  Sanitary  Fairs  which  were 
being  held  throughout  the  country,  and  it  was  feared  by 
some  that  the  Christian  Commission  would  be  forgotten 
by  its  friends.  The  impression  prevailed  among  many 
that  the  Commission's  treasury  was  to  share  in  the  liberal 
receipts  of  the  great  Fairs,  and  they  therefore  thought 
that  by  aiding  the  one  they  were  contributing  to  the 
other.  These  misapprehensions  and  necessities  led  to 
an  earnest  and  successful  endeavor  on  the  part  of  influ- 
ential men,  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  to  put  the 
facts  before  the  Christian  public.  Acknowledging  the 

•  106 


166  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

good  services  and  just  claims  of  other  associations,  it 
was  shown  that  nothing  could  be  expected  to  reach  the 
Christian  Commission's  treasury  except  what  was  speci- 
fically designated  for  it,  and  that  the  Commission  was 
doing  a  peculiar  and  needed  work,  welcomed  by  the 
army  and  honored  of  God,  which  the  church  could  not 
wisely  and  safely  permit  either  to  cease  or  to  slacken. 
The  men  who  had  been  in  the  field  as  Delegates,  and 
who  were  therefore  familiar  with  the  work  in  all  its 
aspects  and  with  the  reasons  for  its  continuance,  Avere 
asked  to  canvass  their  several  communities  in  its  behalf. 
By  these  and  other  methods  the  threatened  disaster  was 
averted,  and  the  Commission  was  never  after  seriously 
embarrassed  in  its  resources.  Moreover,  the  danger 
which  had  seemed  so  near  was  not  without  its  compensa- 
tions. Some  of  those  who  were  most  forward  in  setting 
on  foot  the  measures  for  the  relief  of  the  treasury  had 
not  been  previously  identified  with  the  Commission, 
although  friendly  to  it  as  a  Christian  association  labor- 
ing for  the  welfare  of  the  army.  But  the  peculiar  com- 
bination of  circumstances  put  the  question  before  them 
in  a  new  light.  The  comprehensive  and  distinctively 
religious  scope  of  the  Commission's  work  was  seen  to 
establish  paramount  claims  upon  the  sympathies  and 
benevolence  of  Christians, — claims  which  had  not  been 
sufficiently  considered.  So  when  the  issue  was  fairly 
presented,  as  it  was  at  this  time,  these  men  took  their 
places  with  the  Commission, — a  valuable  gain  of  per- 
manent strength  and  influence. 

Early  in  the  year  there  was  a  movement  toward 
increasing  the  number  of  executive  officers  and  members 
of  the  Commission.  The  business  at  the  Central  Office 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  I»i7 

had  become  so  varied  and  extensive  as  to  render  it 
necessary  that  the  Chairman  and  Secretary  should  have 
official  assistance.  It  was  felt  also  that  a  judicious 
enlargement  of  the  Commission  and  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee would  make  them  more  fairly  representative  of 
the  nation  and  of  its  leading  religious  characteristics. 
Suggestions  in  this  direction  were  received  from  various 
quarters,  but  the  matter  took  immediate  shape  from  a 
meeting  held  at  the  rooms  of  the  Commission  on  the 
14th  of  April.  Rev.  Dr.  E.  N.  Kirk  and  Mr.  E.  S. 
Tobey,  of  Boston,  had  just  returned  from  a  special  visit 
to  the  armies  before  Richmond,  and  Prof.  E.  P.  Bar- 
rows, of  Andover,  had  been  serving  as  a  Delegate  at 
Camp  Convalescent.  The  ministers  of  Philadelphia, 
and  others,  were  invited  to  meet  these  gentlemen  and 
hear  their  views  of  t]ie  Commission's  labors.  A  large 
number  responded  to  the  invitation,  and  the  interview 
was  held  at  the  time  and  place  above  stated.  After  a 
protracted  conference,  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lutions were  adopted:  — 

Having  heard  from  Rev.  Dr.  Kirk  and  E.  S.  Tobey,  of  Boston,  and 
Prof.  Barrows,  of  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  recently  returned 
from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  some  statements  in  reference  to  the 
claims  of  our  soldiers  on  the  sympathies  of  the  Christian  Church, 
the  efforts  that  are  made  through  the  Christian  Commission  to  admin- 
ister to  their  temporal  and  spiritual  wants,  the  facilities  which  are 
afforded  the  Agents  of  the  Commission  for  the  prosecution  of  its 
benevolent  work,  and  the  wonderful  openings  in  Providence  for  the 
spiritual  instruction  and  improvement  of  the  men  in  the  army,  and 
also  the  universal  favor  with  which  the  Christian  Commission  is 
regarded  throughout  the  whole  army,  it  is  therefore 

Resolved,  1.  That  we  feel  deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction 
that  a  more  interesting  and  important  field  for  missionary  operations 


168  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

is  perhaps  not  to  be  found  in  the  world,  and  that  there  is  a  loud  and 
imperative  call  upon  all  the  Christian  churches  throughout  the  land, 
to  direct  their  immediate  and  serious  attention  to  those  remarkable 
openings  which  God  in  his  providence  has  furnished  to  all  who  desire 
to  do  good  to  the  souls  of  their  countrymen. 

Resolved,  2.  That  this  meeting  earnestly  recommend  to  the  Execu- 
tive Committee,  to  adopt  immediate  measures  for  so  modifying  the 
present  organization  of  the  Christian  Commission  as  to  meet  the 
increasing  demands  on  its  labors. 

As  the  result  of  these  recommendations,  and  of  still 
further  conference  and  correspondence,  measures  were 
taken  for  a  general  enlargement.  These  were  mainly 
carried  out  during  the  year,  although  formal  action  upon 
a  few  points  was  not  reached  until  the  following  spring. 
The  number  of  members  of  the  Commission  was  in- 
creased from  twelve  to  fifty ;  the  Executive  Committee 
from  five  to  seventeen ;  and  two  new  secretaryships  were 
created,  one  for  home  organization  and  one  for  field 
organization.  Rev.  Lemuel  Moss,  of  Worcester,  Mass., 
was  chosen  to  the  first  of  these  secretaryships,  and  Rev. 
Prof.  Bernice  D.  Ames,  of  East  Greenwich,  R.  I.,  to  the 
second.1  The  membership  of  the  Commission,  and  its 
Executive  Committee  and  Officers,  may  be  best  shown 
by  the  following  tabular  lists.  To  make  the  view  com- 
plete, a  few  names  and  dates  are  given  which  belong 
to  1 865. 

1  A  Business  Agent  was  also  appointed,  to  be  on  duty  at  the  Central  Office, 
to  superintend  the  purchases  and  other  business  interests  of  the  Commission. 
Eev.  A.  G.  McAuley,  Pastor  of  the  Fifth  Keformed  Presbyterian  Church, 
Phila.,  was  elected  for  this  position,  in  October.  He  had  done  good  and  gra- 
tuitous service  for  the  Commission,  in  the  field  and  at  home,  and  was  well  fitted 
for  his  new  duties  by  his  previous  experience  as  a  business  man.  These  duties 
had  been  formerly  discharged,  without  special  official  designation,  by  Mr. 
Joseph  H.  Ogden. 


THE   THIRD    YEAR. 


169 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  is  ORDER  OP  APPOINTMENT,  WITH 
DATES  OF  THEIR  ELECTION,  RESIGNATION,  ETC. 

Denominational  Abbrerialion».-K.,  Baptist ;  C.,  Congregatlonalist ;  L.,  Lutheran;  O.  R.,  Orm.n  Reform*;  X  Mo- 
ravian;  M.  E.,  Methodist  Episcopal;  M.  P.,  Methodist  Protestant;  X.  8.  P.,  .New  School  Pre.b.TterUn ;  O.  B.  P.'.  Old 
School  Presbyterian ;  R.  P.,  Reformed  Presbjtcrian ;  C.  P.,  United  Presbyterian ;  P.  E.,  Protestant  EpUcofwl ;  R.  D. 


NAME,                                 Denomi- 
nation*. 

Place. 

Date  of  Election. 

"""ton''1*11*' 

Charles  Demond  

c 

Nov.  15,1861. 
.\..v.  1--..  i-.;;. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
Nov.  15.  1861. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
N.-v.  If,.  1  Mil. 
Nov.  i:>.  IM'.I. 
Nov.  15.  1861. 
Dec.  10,1861. 
Dec.  10,1861. 
Sept.        1862. 
Sept.        1862. 
June  17,  1864. 
June  17,  1864. 
June  17.  1864. 
June  17   1864 

Julv  10,  18«2. 
Dec.  10,  1861. 

Dec.  10,  1861. 

Aug.  20,  1862. 
July  1,  IMS. 

Nov.  20,  1864. 

Ang.  20,  18*4. 
Sept.  30,  1  -.•..-. 
Sept.  16,  186*. 

Sept.  90,  1861. 

K'  \    l!»'lin  H   Neale  D  D 

B 

R.-v.  Bi-hop  K.  S.  Janee,  ».  D  
Benj.  F.  Manierre  
Rev.  S.  II.  Tvng,  D.  D  

M.  E... 
M.  E  
P.  E.  

New  York  
New  York  
New  York 

John  P  Cro/er         

B  

Philadelphia  
Philadelphia  
Cincinnati  
Cincinnati  
Chicago  
Buffalo  

R.  P  
B  
N.  S.  P.. 
M.  E  
M.  E  
N.  S.  P.. 
P.  E.  
M.  E.  
P.  E  . 

II.  Thane  Miller  
Rev.  M.  L.  K.  P.  Thompson,  D.  D... 
John  V.  Fan*  ell  „ 
John  D   Hill   M  D 

Mitchell  H.  Miller  

Rev.  Bcnj.  C.  Cutler,  D.  D  
Clinton  B.  Fisk.-  

Brooklyn  
Sr.  Louis  
Philadelphia  
Brooklvn  
Philadelphia  

Rev.  James  Hells.  I>.D  
Rev.  W.  E.  Boardmau,  (ex.  off.)..... 
Stephen  (V>1  well  
William  K   Docile  

K.  D  
0.  S.  P... 
0.  S.  P... 
N.  S.  P.. 
P.  E  

Philadelphia  
New  York  
New  York  

Rev.  Heman  Dver,  D.  n  

Goldsborotisrli  S.  Griffith  
Walt.-rS.  Griffith  
Joseph  Patterson  
Rev.  Bishop  M.-itthew  Simpson.  D.D. 
Nathan  Bishop  I.L  D    

G.  R  
N.  8.  P.. 
0.  S.  P... 
M.  E.  
B  

Baltimore  
Jrooklvn  
Philadelphia  
Philad.-Iphia  
New  York 

In.,-  17.  IMU. 
une  17,  1864. 
une  17,  1864. 
une  17,  1S64. 
nly  22,  1864. 
nly  22.  1864. 
uly  22.  1864. 
ulv  22,  1864. 
nly  22.1864. 
nly  22,1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
nlv  22,  1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
ulv  22,  1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
nly  22.  1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
uly  22,  1864. 
ulv  22,1864. 
uly  22.  1864. 
uly  2»,  1864. 
uly  29,1864. 
July  29,  1864. 
In--   1-'.  1^-4. 
Ang.  12.  1864. 
Aug.  12,  1864. 
Vii^l.Ms'U. 
\ng.  12.  IM'4. 
Vii^.  12.  1M'4. 
\i.^.   I'J.  I-''.!. 
Aug.  12,  1864. 
•i.-pr.  M.  1N..4. 
Sept.  16,  1864. 
BMiaUML 
..,.      '>.  i-'.  . 

Win    \   Buckingham 

£» 

Norwich.  Conn  
Brooklyn  
Cincinnati  
South  Bend.  Ind  
St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.  
Pittsburg  
Princeton,  N.  J_  
New  York 

Samuel  B.  Caldwi-11  
A.  E.  Chamberlain  
SchuvlerColfax  

P.  E.  
0.  S.  P.. 
R.  1)  

Er:.>tu-  Kail-Lank**  
William  Frew  
Rev.  Chas.  Hodge,  D.  D  
Morris  K  Jesnp 

tj'.'p.'.V.V. 

0.  S.  P_. 
R  1) 

Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Alfred  Lee,  D.D.... 
Rt.  Rev.  C.  P.  Mcllvaine,  D.D  
.!,,-.  \V.  \v,,  
John  Owen 

P.  E  
P.  «„.... 

M  E 

Wilmington,  Del  
Cincinnati  
Carson  City,  Ner  

Geo.  P.  Patton            .     .  .. 

C  

Bath.  Me  _  
San  Francisco  
Boston  
Philadelphia  
Providence  
Milwaukee  
Alexandria,  Va.  
Davenport,  Iowa  
Lexington.  Ky  
Portland.  Oregon  
Denver  City,  Col  
Philadelphia  

J    B  Roberts 

0  8  P 

Edward  8.  Tobey  

C  
B  

Rev.  Francis  Wavlaml,  D.D.*..... 
Hev.  J.  Miilhan»er  
Francis  H.  Pierpoiut  
Hiram  Price  
Rev.  R.  J.  Breckenridge,  D.D  
Rev  S   Cornelius 

B  
L  
M.  P  
M.  K...... 
0.  S.  P... 
B  
M.  E..... 
B  

feE 

|! 

John  Evans  

Horatio  Gates  Jones  „  
Rx>v.  K.  Unman  
Rev.  James  Pike  

Chaxka,  Minn  
Sanliornton  Br'ge,  Nil 

\t.  •!,!-.,  M.  Kansas......... 
M.-r-iintown,  W.  Va.... 

Waitman  T.  Willey  

M.  K..... 

Prof.  M.  L.  Stoever,  PH.D  

L  

-. 

;i-ll\>lmrg  _  
Atrliix.n.  Kansas......... 
St.  Albans,  Vt  „ 

John  Gregory  Smith  

Deceased,  the  date  in  the  last  column  being  the  date  of  hit  death. 


170 


ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  IN 
ORDER  OF  APPOINTMENT,  WITH  DATES  OF  THEIR  ELECTION,  EESIGNATION,  ETC. 


N«™. 

Denomi- 

Place. 

Date  of  Election. 

Date  of  Resigna- 

Rev.  Benj.  C.  Cutler,  r>.  D  
Charles  ]><>moml  
Rev.  Bishop  E.  S.Janes,  D.D  

C.'....  '.'.'.'." 
M.  E  
M.  E  
R  P 

Brooklyn  
Boston  
New  York  
New  York  
Philadelphia  .... 
Philadelphia 

Dec.   11,1861. 
Dec.    11,1861. 
Dec.   11,  1861. 
Dec.   11,1861. 
Dec.   11,  1861. 
Sept.        1862. 
Sept.        1862. 
une  17,  18(54. 
line  17.  1864. 
nne  17,  1864. 
nne  17,  1864. 
une  17,  1864. 
une  17,  1864. 
une  17.  1804. 
une  17,  1864. 
nly  22,  1864. 
Aug.  12,1864. 
April  14.  1865. 
April  14,  1865. 
April  14,1865. 
April  14,  1865. 

Aug.  20,  1862. 
July  20,  1862. 

July  1,1865. 
Aug.  20,  1864. 

P  E 

.John  P.  Crozer  
Rev.  Vim.  E.  Boardman.  (ex.  off.)... 

B  
0.  S.  P... 
0.  S.  P... 
N  S  P 

Philadelphia  

Philadelphia  
Philadelphia  
New  York. 

P  E 

New  York 

(iul/M.onm.L:!!  S.  Griffith  
Walter  S.  Griffith  
Joseph  Patterson  
Kev.  Bishop  M.  Simpson,!).  D  
Thomas  Wattson  
Horatio  Gates  Jones  

G.  R  
N.  S.  P... 
0.  S.  P... 
M.  E  
B  
B  

Baltimore  
Brooklyn  
Philadelphia  
Philadelphia  
Philadelphia  
Philadelphia  

A.  E.  Chamberlain  
John  V.  Farwell  
Clinton  U.  t'isk  
William  Frew 

0.  S.  P... 
M.  E  
M.  E  
U  P 

Cincinnati  
Chicago  
St.  Louis  
Pittsburg 

EXECUTIVE  OFFICERS  OP  THE  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  IN  ORDER  OF  APPOINT- 
MENT,  WITH  DATES  OF  THEIR  ELECTION,  RESIGNATION,  ETC. 


NAMES. 

Denomi- 
nations. 

Office. 

Date  of  Election. 

Date  of  Resigns- 
tion. 

George  Hay  Stuart  
Benj.  F.  Manierre  
Rev   A   M  Morrison 

R.  P  
M.  E  
P.  E  
0.  S.  P... 
M.  E  
0.  S.  P... 
B  

M.  E  

Chairman 

Nov.  15,  1861. 
Nov.  15,  1861. 
Feb.  17,1862. 
Sept.  1862. 
Nov.  15,1861. 
Sept.  1862. 

July  22,1864. 
July  29,1864. 
March  18,  1865. 

Feb.  17,  1862. 
Sept.         1862. 
July     1,  1865. 
July   10,  1862. 

Oct.      1,  1865. 
March  1,  1865. 
Jan.      1,  1866. 

Secretary  
Secretary  
Secretary  
Treasurer  

Rev.  Win.  E.  Boardmanl  
Benj.  F.  Manierre  

Joseph  Patterson  
Rev.  Lemuel  Moss  
Rev.  Bernice  D.Ames  
Rev.  Edward  P.  Smith  

Secretaryof  Home  Or-  ) 
ganizatioc2  f 
Secretary  of  Field  Or-  > 
ganization8  / 
Secretary  of  Field  Or-) 
ganizationS  j 

The  Executive  Committee,  as  enlarged  and  newly 
organized,  appointed  from  its  own  members  four  Sub- 
Committees,  to  take  direct  charge  of  the  various  business 

1  Although  Mr.  Boardman's  resignation  did  not  take  effect  until  July,  he 
withdrew  from  duty  at  the  office  during  the  preceding  March,  to  engage  in  the 
work  of  organizing  Ladies'  Christian  Commissions. 

2  By  action  of  the  Executive  Committee,  April  14,  1865,  the  names  of  these 
offices  were  modified,  and  they  were  called  respectively  "Home  Secretary"  and 
"  Field  Secretary." 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  171 

matters,  viz.:  —  1.  Home  Organization  and  Finance;  2. 
Field  Organization  and  Work;  3.  Publications;  4. 
Stores  and  Stock.  The  Chairman  and  Secretary  were 
ex  officio  members  of  all  the  Committees,  and  the  other 
members  were  taken  mainly  from  those  members  of  the 
Executive  Committee  who  lived  in  Philadelphia.  The 
regular  meetings  of  the  Executive  Committee  were  held 
weekly ;  special  meetings  were  convened  as  circumstances 
might  require. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  held  July 
22,  1864,  when  several  of  the  changes  above  spoken  of 
were  passed  upon,  a  system  of  regulations  was  adopted, 
which  will  show  the  judgment  of  the  Commission,  as 
determined  by  their  previous  experience,  concerning  the 
details  of  their  great  work.  The  following  regulations 
refer  to  the  agents  and  agencies  in  the  field : — 

1.  Agents  are  to  be  employed  and  Agencies  established,  in  the 
field,  always  and  only  by  vote  of  the  Executive  Committee. 

2.  Salaries  are  to  be  determined  only  and  always  by  the  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

3.  All  Orders  from  each  field  must  be  given  by  some  ONE  PERSON 
whose  business  it  is  to  attend  to  it. 

4.  All  Orders  from  the  field  must  be  sent  to  ONE  OFFICE,  which 
shall  be  designated  by  the  Executive  Committee. 

5.  Purchases  and  Contracts,  involving  any  considerable  amount, 
are  to  be  made  only  by  authority  from  the  Executive  Committee  or 
the  General  Officers. 

6.  A  Record  of  all  Orders  must  be  kept  in  each  field. 

7.  As  far  as  possible,  the  wants  of  each  field  should  be  antici- 
pated by  the  person  whose  business  it  is  to  order  supplies  for  it,  so 
that  there  may  be  time  to  fill  the  orders  before  the  former  supplies 
are  exhausted,  —  *,  e.,  in  time  to  meet  the  wants  for  which  they  are 
ordered. 

8.  Standing  Orders  for  Weekly  Supplies,  especially  of  Publica- 


172  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

tions,  and  of  such  Food,  Clothing,  and  Medicines  as  are  needed  for 
comparatively  regular  and  constant  distribution,  should  be  given 
from  the  field,  and  recorded  at  the  office  from  which  the  supplies  are 
sent. 

9.  Such  Standing  Orders  should  be  regularly  filled  each  week, 
until  revoked  or  changed. 

10.  A  Property  Book  or  Record  should  be  kept  in  every  Agency, 
containing  a  complete  list  of  all  property,  such  as  tents,  stores,  horses, 
wagons,  harness,  saddles,  etc.,  belonging  to  the  Commission. 

11.  A  Monthly  Property  Eeport  should  be  made  at  the  close  of 
each  month,  embracing  all  the  property  purchased  or  received,  all 
disposed  of,  and  all  on  hand. 

12.  A  Monthly  Pay  Roll  should  be  made  out  in  each  Agency, 
embracing  the  name,  compensation,  time  of  service,  date  of  employ- 
ment, etc.,  of  each  employe  in  the  field  embraced  by  the  Agency ; 
and  all  employes  should  be  paid  off  at  the  close  of  each  month, 
receipts  taken  from  each  person  on  the  Pay  Roll,  and  the  Roll  sent 
to  the  Central  Office. 

13.  A  Monthly  Cash  Statement  should  be  made  by  each  Agency 
to  the  office  from  which  the  supplies  and  money  for  its  field  are 
drawn. 

The  following  regulations  refer  to  the  care  of  property 
or  stock :  — 

1.  Purchases  of  Property  or  Stock,  such  as  horses,  wagons,  har- 
ness, tents,  stores,  etc.,  can  be  legitimately  made  only  upon  authority, 
special  or  general,  from  the  Executive  Committee. 

2.  In  each  department  or  field  an  account  must  be  kept  of  all 
Stock :    1.  On  hand ;    2.  Purchased  or  received ;    3.  Sold  or  sent 
away;    4.  Lost,  destroyed,  or   dead; — specifying   in  whose  charge 
and  where. 

3.  At  the  close  of  each  month  a  report  shall  be  made,  specific  and 
full,  from  each  department  or  field,  by  the  Agent  in  charge,  to  the 
Central  Office,  of  all  Property  or  Stock  purchased  or  received,  sold 
or  sent  away,  lost  or  dead,  and  of  all  on  hand,  specifying  where  it  is, 
in  whose  charge,  and  in  what  condition. 

4.  A  General  Summary  of  these  reports,  from  all  the  departments 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  173 

or  fields,  shall  be  made  each  month,  and  presented  to  the  Executive 
Committee  at  its  first  stated  meeting  after  they  shall  have  been 
received. 

5.  Inspection  shall  be  made  from  time  to  time,  by  such  persons  or 
committees  as  may  be  appointed  for  the  purpose,  and  the  condition 
of  all  the  Stock  or  Property  of  the  Commission  ascertained,  and 
reported  by  the  inspectors  to  the  Central  Office,  and  brought  before 
the  Executive  Committee. 

6.  An  account  shall  be  kept  at  the  Central  Office  of  all  Stock  or 
Property  on  hand,  purchased  or  received,  sold  or  sent  away,  lost  or 
dead,  in  each  department  or  field. 

For  reasons  elsewhere  stated1  the  details  of  home  or- 
ganization were  left  mainly  to  the  Auxiliary  Committees, 
to  arrange  in  their  own  fields  according  to  the  special  cir- 
cumstances and  necessities  of  each  case.  They  employed 
such  canvassing  and  collecting  agents,  and  for  such  periods, 
as  might  seem  to  them  desirable.  There  were  a  few 
Home  Agents,  however,  for  holding  public  meetings  and 
making  collections,  whose  salaries  were  paid  and  whose 
general  movements  were  directed  from  the  Central 
Office.  Prominent  among  these  were  Rev.  C.  C.  Mc- 
Cabe,  whose  principal  labors  were  in  the  West;  Rev.  B. 
W.  Chidlaw,  who  for  a  number  of  months  divided  his 
time  between  the  Commission  and  the  American  Sunday- 
School  Union,  and  who  was  mainly  employed  in  Ohio 
and  the  neighboring  States ;  and  Rev.  Robt.  Patterson, 
D.  D.,  who  labored  East  and  West.  Their  services  were 
manifold  and  of  great  value.  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins, 
although  his  official  relations  were  with  the  New  York 
Committee,  did  frequent  and  efficient  service  for  the 
Central  Office,  both  in  the  Eastern  States  and  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

'  See  p.  155. 


174  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Prominent  in  the  operations  of  the  year  was  the  pro- 
vision of  Chapel  Tents  for  the  Eastern  and  Western 
armies.  To  make  the  history  of  these  tents  fully  intel- 
ligible it  will  be  necessary  to  go  back  a  little.  One  of 
the  first  wants  felt  by  the  army  chaplains  was  that  of  a 
suitable  place  for  holding  religious  and  social  meetings. 
The  government  did  not  furnish  chapel  tents,  nor  did  it 
at  the  outset  provide  for  their  transportation,  should 
they  be  furnished  by  others.  It  often  happened  that  there 
were  tents  or  barracks,  in  the  hospitals  or  camps,  which 
the  chaplains  could  use,  but  this  was  generally  depen- 
dent upon  the  courtesy  of  the  officers  in  charge.1  Among 
the  questions  addressed  by  Mr.  Colyer,  in  August,  1861, 
to  the  Chaplains  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,2  this 
matter  was  introduced.  In  the  replies  returned  by 
Chaplain  A.  H.  Quint,  of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Volunteers,  it  stands  thus :  Question,  "  Have 
you  a  suitable  tent  for  public  meetings?"  Answer, 
"No."  Question,  "Do  you  think  it  desirable  to  have 
one  ? "  Answer,  "  I  doubt  it,  as  we  cannot  get  it  trans- 
ported by  Quartermaster."  It  was  quite  natural,  there- 
fore, that  the  subject  of  chapel  tents3  should  come 

1  Chaplain  A.  M.  Stewart,  of  the  Thirteenth  Pennsylvania  Eegiment,  writ- 
ing from  Camp  Scott,  York,  Pa.,  May  18,  1861,  says  that  inasmuch  as  neither 
State  nor  National  Government  made  provision  for  religious  services,  and  the 
accommodations  at  camp  were  crowded,  a  chapel  tent  was  furnished  for  his 
regiment  "  by  the  advice  and  liberality  of  friends  in  Pittsburg."  —  Camp,  March, 
and  Battlefield,  p.  7.     A  portion  of  the  regiments  were  similarly  favored,  even 
in  those  earliest  days. 

2  See  p.  95. 

3  Under  date  of  Upton's  Hill,  Va.,  Nov.  13,  1861,  Kev.  John   S.  Inskip, 
Chaplain    of  the  Fourteenth   Eegiraent  New  York  State    Militia,  writes  to 
the  Army  Committee  of  the  New  York  Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  "I 
write  to  inform  you  that  a  new  era  has  dawned  upon  us.     We  can  scarcely  find 
words  to  express  our  joy  and  gratitude.     The  chapel  tent  you  kindly  donated 


THE   THIRD   YEAH.  175 

prominently  before  the  Convention  at  which  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  was  formed ;  for  their  great  value  and 
necessity  were  manifest,  although  chaplains  might  well 
hesitate  about  assuming  the  care  of  such  tents,  when  the 
first  movement  of  their  regiments  would  probably  see 
them  abandoned  or  destroyed.  It  has  been  seen  that 
the  Convention  voted  to  memorialize  the  Government 
touching  the  matter,1  and  in  accordance  with  that  vote, 
immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  the  Convention, 
the  following  memorial  was  prepared  and  forwarded  to 
the  Secretary  of  War,  under  date  of  New  York,  Nov. 
15,  1861:- 

To  THE  HON.  SIMON  CAMERON, 

Secreta'ry  of  War:  — 

Sir:  In  pursuance  of  a  vote  passed  at  a  Convention  of  the  several 
Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  of  the  country,  held  in  this  city, 
on  the  14th  and  15th  instants,  the  undersigned  officers  of  said  Con- 
vention would  respectfully  represent,  that  from  evidence  furnished  by 
chaplains  and  others,  whose  testimony  is  entitled  to  full  confidence,  a 
great  want  of  tents,  or  other  accommodations  suited  to  the  purposes  of 
religious  exercises  and  social  worship,  exists  in  the  army,  and  thereby  the 
labors  of  the  chaplains  are  much  embarrassed  and  rendered  irregular, 
and  in  some  instances  have  been  unavoidably  suspended,  thus  depriv- 
ing the  soldiers  of  the  moral  and  religious  influences  so  indispensable 

to  us  has  already  been  the  means  of  inconceivable  good  to  us.  It  is  truly  won- 
derful what  a  decided  improvement  it  has  made  in  our  regiment  within  one 
week."  Chaplain  Inskip  gives  an  account  of  the  uses  to  which  they  put  their 
tent :  —  Monday  evening,  a  temperance  meeting;  Tuesday  evening,  meeting  of 
a  literary  and  debating  society ;  Wednesday  and  Thursday  evenings,  prayer- 
meetings;  Friday  evening,  "an  amateur  concert  of  miscellaneous  music;" 
Saturday  evening,  a  social  meeting  for  singing  and  informal  conversation; 
Sunday,  preaching  in  the  morning  and  evening,  and  a  prayer-meeting  in  tin- 
afternoon.  This  will  serve  as  a  fair  illustration  of  the  usefulness  of  then* 
chapel  tents.  See  Rebellion  Record,  Vol.  Ill,  document  p.  375. 
1  See  p.  105. 


176  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

to  elevation  of  character  and  efficiency  in  the  public  service.  In 
view  of  the  foregoing  facts,  and  the  interest  already  evinced  by  the 
Government  in  the  religious  condition  of  the  army,  the  undersigned 
respectfully  request,  in  behalf  of  the  Convention  and  the  Christian 
public,  that  such  accommodations  as  have  been  indicated  herein  be 
provided  by  the  Government. 

This  action  aided  in  directing  public  attention  to  what 
now  seems  an  obvious  need.  As  no  church  could  long 
exist  without  a  place  of  worship,  so  no  regiment  could 
expect  more  than  the  most  meagre  religious  prosperity 
without  possessing  some  sheltered  and  convenient  place 
that  could  be  controlled  for  religious  uses.1  Some  regi- 
ments were  supplied  with  chapel  tents,  through  the 
efforts  of  their  chaplains,  by  churches  or  individuals, 
and  many  chaplains  manifested  a  great  desire  for  similar 
conveniences,  notwithstanding  the  trouble  which  their 
possession  might  occasion.2  During  the  very  first  visit 
of  the  Commission  to  the  army,3  Mr.  Demond  wrote  to 
Mr.  Stuart  from  Washington,  under  date  of  December 
14,  1861:- 

1  The   chaplain  of  the  U.  S.  A.  General   Hospital,  Frederick,  Maryland, 
writes  under  date  of  January  11,  1863:  "The  one  great  drawback  which  I 
experience  is  the  want  of  a  chapel,  or  some  spacious  room  in  which  to  conduct 
religious  worship.     The  hospital  grounds  embrace,  I  am  told,  fifteen  acres,  on 
which  there  are  more  than  twenty  extensive  buildings ;  and  yet  there  is  no 
place  in  which  I  can  congregate  our  numerous  convalescents.   This  is  the  more 
to  be  regretted  inasmuch  as  a  deep  religious  interest  is  known  to  exist  in  the 
minds  of  many." 

2  Rev.  J.  W.  Alvord,  writing  to  Mr.  Stuart  under  date  of  Washington,  De- 
cember 17,  1861,  recites  the  same  facts  that  are  given  in  Mr.  Demond's  letter 
of  the  14th,  and  adds  the  gratifying  statement,  "  I  have  just  seen   General 
Meigs  (Quartermaster-General),  who   has  kindly  secured  an  order  from  the 
Secretary  of  War  for  the  transportation  of  Chapel  Tents,  whenever  any  tents 
are  carried." 

» See  pp.  108-110. 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  177 

In  my  visits  to  the  camps  to-day  I  have  found  a  great  desire  for 
chapel  tents,  and  have  seen  some.  There  are  chaplains  now  who 
have  the  money  on  hand  sufficient  for  the  purchase  of  such  tents, 
and  who  are  looking  to  our  Commission  to  aid  them  in  the  matter, — 
either  by  procuring  the  tents  for  them  or  telling  them  where  they 
can  get  good  ones,  honestly  made,  and  for  a  reasonable  price.  Can 
you  not  get  estimates  from  some  honest  Christian  sail-maker  in 
Philadelphia,  who  will  make  these  tents  at  a  little  profit,  and  who 
can  be  relied  upon  to  do  the  work  well  ?  If  such  a  man  should  make 
up  a  dozen  and  advertise  them,  with  a  reference  to  you,  I  do  not 
doubt  he  would  quickly  dispose  of  them. 

Notwithstanding  the  attention  of  the  Commission  was 
thus  early  called  to  the  necessity  and  value  of  chapel 
tents,  comparatively  little  was  done  in  furnishing  them 
for  the  army  until  the  autumn  of  1863.  This  delay 
was  in  part  due  to  the  excessive  demand  upon  the 
resources  of  the  Commission,  which  rendered  it  impossi- 
ble to  regard  many  calls  that  were  alike  worthy  and 
urgent ;  and  in  part  to  that  unsettled  condition  of  affairs, 
already  several  times  referred  to,  which  made  all  measures 
looking  toward  long-continued  efforts  yield  to  tem- 
porary expedients  for  immediate  relief.  In  November, 
1863,  the  Commission  had  but  four  chapel  tents  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  In  the  correspondence  between 
the  Central  Office  and  Mr.  Cole,  General  Field  Agent, 
it  had  been  suggested  that  the  Commission  could  per- 
haps furnish  to  each  brigade  a  canvas  roof,  technically 
called  a  "  fly,"  as  a  covering  for  a  chapel,  if  the  soldiers 
would  put  up  the  walls.  This  suggestion  was  presented 
to  the  chaplains  of  the  army,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the 
tent  of  the  Commission,  Brandy  Station,  Dec.  26.  The 
chaplains  thereupon  adopted  the  following  minute:— 

23 


178  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

WHEREAS,  The  Christian  Commission  has  nobly  offered  to  each 
Brigade  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  a  "  fly"  for  a  chapel  tent, 
therefore  it  is  by  the  chaplains  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 

Resolved,  1.  That  we  are  most  grateful  for  the  offer  of  the  Christian 
Commission,  and  accept  it  as  one  of  the  many  tokens  that  God  has 
raised  up  this  organization  to  do  just  what  the  army  needs. 

Resolved,  2.  That  we  respectfully  suggest  to  our  friends  and 
brethren  of  the  Commission,  that  in  many  cases  a  "fly"  for  the  use 
of  a  regiment  will  be  of  vast  advantage  to  the  cause  of  God  ;  and  we 
trust  that  the  Executive  Committee  will  find  it  possible  to  furnish 
such  "  flies"  to  regiments  needing  them. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  held  Dec. 
29,  it  was  voted  to  furnish,  "  as  needed,  six  chapel  tents 
and  forty  canvas  roofs  for  chapels  to  be  erected  by  the 
soldiers."  The  result  of  this  action  was  all  that  could 
have  been  hoped  for.  Both  the  regular  chaplains  and 
the  Delegates  of  the  Commission  were  much  helped  in 
their  work.  An  unusual  religious  interest  pervaded  the 
army.  Multitudes  were  converted  to  Christ.1  The 
peculiar  adaptation  of  the  Commission  to  the  great 
emergency  was  seen  in  a  new  light.  The  way  had  been 

1  Kev.  H.  A.  Reid,  chaplain  of  the  Fifth  Regiment  Wisconsin  Volunteer?, 
writes  to  Mr.  Stuart  from  the  headquarters  of  the  regiment,  near  Brandy  Sta- 
tion, Va.,  under  date  of  Feb.  22,  1864:  —  "Your  agents  here  furnished  us  a 
'  fly'  to  cover  and  a  stove  to  warm  the  house  we  builded  to  the  Lord,  and  on  the 
19th  inst.  it  was  duly  and  formally  dedicated  to  his  holy  worship.  There  is  a 
good  and  encouraging  degree  of  religious  interest  in  the  regiment.  We  hold 
divine  service  at  10?  o'clock  A.  M.,  Sabbath  day ;  Bible  class  at  2  p.  M.,  and 
prayer-meeting  at  6  p.  M.  ;  social  religious  meeting  Tuesday  evening,  and 
prayer-meeting  Thursday  evening.  And  these  meetings  are  all  well  attended, 
and  heartily  engaged  in  by  the  men.  We  have  an  excellent  choir,  consisting 
of  twelve  or  thirteen  members,  and  among  them  seven  commissioned  officers, 
with  our  colonel  himself  as  chorister.  The  other  evenings  of  the  week  are 
occupied  for  lyceum,  spelling-school,  choir  practice,  etc.  Once  or  twice  a  week 
I  go  through  the  regiment,  and  also  out  along  the  picket  line,  with  my  haver- 
sack full  of  the  books,  tracts,  pamphlets,  papers,  etc.,  so  liberally  supplied  by 
the  Commission,  and  give  every  soldier  something,  which  they  always  gladly 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  179 

prepared  during  previous  months,  by  timely  and  various 
ministrations  to  the  bodily,  intellectual,  and  religious 
needs  of  the  men.  And  now  the  Delegates  could  go 
"  everywhere  preaching  the  word"  among  those  whose 
confidence  had  been  fully  gained,  and  whom  the  Holy 
Spirit  had  made  ready  to  receive  the  gospel.  The 
wisdom  of  mingling  bodily  relief  with  spiritual  instruc- 
tion was  more  than  justified, — not  simply  as  being  in 
itself  a  needed  and  most  Christian  service,  but  as  a 
powerful  aid  in  gaining  access  to  those  whose  spiritual 
welfare  was  the  principal  motive  of  the  Commission's 
activity.  Pastors  and  others,  who  visited  the  army  as 
Delegates  during  the  winter  of  1863-'4,  declared  that 
their  experience  was  unlike  anything  known  or  conceived 
before.  There  was  a  religious  revival  among  the  soldiers 

and  thankfully  receive.     And  I  am  persuaded  that  by  God's  blessing  much 
good  is  thus  being  wrought,  for  other  chaplains  are  also  doing  a  similar  work." 
In  connection  with  this  pleasant  picture  of  religious  life  in  camp,  Mr.  Reid 
forwards 

Ax  ORIGINAL  HYMN,  written  for  the  Dedication  of  the  Chapel  of  the  Fifth  Regi- 
ment Wisconsin  Volunteers,  by  Rev.  H.  A.  Reid,  chaplain  of  the  Regiment,  and 
respectfully  inscribed  to  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  as  a  slight  token  of  our 
gratitude  for  its  many  kind,  liberal,  and  helpful  benefits:  — 

Thou  God  of  majesty  and  power,  And  as  Thou  call'st  us  forth  to  fight 
Who  rulest  earth,  and  sea,  and  sky,          Our  country's,  man's,  and  freedom's  foes, 

0  let  Thy  favor  crown  this  hour,  Lord,  lead  us,  till  victorious  Right 
And  lift  our  waiting  souls  on  high.  Shall  give  our  war-worn  arms  repose. 

This  temple,  poor  as  we  are  frail,—  0  grant  our  righteous  cause  success, 
An  emblem  fit  of  man's  estate,—  That  still  our  nightly  couch  may  be 

0  Thou  who  dwell'st  within  the  vail,  A  day's  march  nearer  conquered  peace, 
To  Thee  in  Christ  we  consecrate.  A  day's  march  nearer  home  and  Thee. 

Accept  it,  Lord,  and  let  Thy  grace  And  as  Thou  giv'st  us  strength  to  do, 

Within  these  walls  be  felt  and  known ;     And  hearts  to  dare,  through  gain  or  low. 

Let  souls  here  meet  Thee  face  to  face,       May  we  be  freedom's  soldiers  true, 
And  feed  by  faith  on  Thee  alone.  Nor  less  true  soldiers  of  the  C*8«U 


180  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

which  made  labors  at  home  seem  formal  and  fruitless, 
and  the  opinion  was  expressed,  by  clergymen  of  most 
mature  and  sober  judgment,  that  the  prospect  was  more 
encouraging  for  the  conversion  of  men  in  the  army  than 
out  of  it.  It  was  felt  to  be  worth  a  journey  to  the  army 
to  find  men  who  were  positively  eager  to  learn  the  way 
of  salvation,  and  they  were  found  there  by  thousands. 

It  was  from  this  remarkable  religious  interest,  and  its 
influence  in  the  army  and  at  home,  that  the  demand 
arose  for  the  general  enlargement  of  the  Commission, 
which  has  been  noticed  above.  But  more  especially,  it 
determined  the  Commission  to  devise  more  liberally  for 
similar  necessities,  as  their  increased  resources  enabled 
them  to  do,  during  the  winter  of  1864— '5.  As  the 
armies  began  their  preparations  for  winter  quarters, 
appeals  came  from  the  fields  East  and  West  for  a  supply 
of  chapel  tents  and  chapel  roofs.  After  making  pro- 
vision for  several  separate  requests,  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, at  their  meeting  of  December  13, 1864,  voted  "to 
authorize  the  Committee  on  Field  Organization  to  com- 
ply with  the  requests  from  the  various  fields,  including 
those  now  in  process  of  fulfilment,  at  their  discretion,  to 
an  amount  in  cost  not  exceeding  forty  thousand  dollars." 
The  money  thus  appropriated  was  expended  as  the 
winter  advanced.  The  cost  of  a  chapel  tent  was  about 
five  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars,  and  of  a  chapel 
roof  about  two  hundred  dollars.  For  some  permanent 
stations  chapels  were  built  of  lumber,  and  a  few  porta- 
ble houses,  ingeniously  constructed,  were  sent  from  Cin- 
cinnati to  points  in  the  Western  field. 

In  several  instances  a  chapel  tent  was  paid  for  by  a 
church  or  a  benevolent  person,  the  tent  inscribed  with 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  181 

an  appropriate  name,  and  frequent  reports  sent  to  the 
donors  by  those  who  might  be  in  temporary  charge  of 
the  religious  services.  The  Brooklyn  and  Long  Island 
Christian  Commission  gave  five  thousand  dollars  to  pur- 
chase ten  chapel  tents,  and  furnished  each  with  a  valu- 
able library.  The  Branch  at  Cleveland  gave  one  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  thus  provided  for  two  tents. 

The  soldiers  often  showed  no  little  skill  and  taste  in 
constructing  their  army  chapels,  making  out  of  their 
rude  materials  buildings  that  were  neat,  commodious, 
and  attractive.1  The  dedications  of  these  "tabernacles 
in  the  wilderness"  were  occasions  of  great  interest,2  and 
were  frequently  participated  in  by  the  prominent  clergy- 


1  Kev.  J.  T.  Duryea,  of  New  York,  in  an  address  before  a  Christian  Commis- 
sion meeting  in  that  city,  March  15,  18G5,  gave  an  account  of  a  recent  visit  to 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac.     Among  other  things  he  said,  in  speaking  of  a  Sab- 
bath morning  service,  "  We  were  gathered  in  one  of  those  chapels  which  the 
Christian  Commission  has  built,  numbering  one  hundred  and  forty  throughout 
the  army.     The  logs  are  piled  one  upon  another,  morticed  at  the  corners  of 
the  building,  and  the  interstices  are  filled  up  with  cohesive  Virginia  clay,  and 
then  over  the  whole  is  thrown  what  the  soldiers  call  a  '  fly,'  which  is  a  piece  of 
canvas  covering  the  tent,  and  which  admits  the  light  but  does  not  allow  the 
rain  to  enter."     And  again:  —  "Taking  a  hasty  meal  with  the  chaplain,  an 
orderly  came  with  two  horses,  which  we  mounted  and  rode  on  until  we  reached 
a  chapel  built  of  undressed  cedar,  in  the  Gothic  style,  by  a  regiment  of  Engi- 
neers, which,  if  composed  of  brown  stone,  would  have  graced  any  avenue  in 
New  York.     It  was  thronged  with  about  fifteen  hundred  people.     In  one  wing 
was  a  group  of  officers,  from  almost  the  highest  rank  in  the  army  to  the  lieu- 
tenant of  companies ;  and  there  we  had  a  sort  of  dedication  service  of  that  beau- 
tiful temple  to  the  Most  High  God." 

2  Rev.  Thos.  H.  Pearne,  of  Oregon,  who  served  the  Commission  as  a  Dele- 
gate early  in  the  spring  of  1865,  in  giving  a  report  of  his  work,  writes :  —  "The 
chapel  tents  are  a  crowning  feature  of  the  Christian  Commission.     At  that  of 
the  regiment  of  Chaplain  Lane,  of  the  193d  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  some 
ninety  soldiers  profess  to  have  found  the  Saviour.     At  that  of  the  205th  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers  seventy-five  professed  con  versions  are  reported,  all  of  them 
in  both  regiments  within  five  or  six  weeks.     It  was  my  privilege  to  dedicate 


182  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

men  of  our  large  cities.  The  subjoined  extract  from  an 
article  in  The  Methodist,  of  New  York,  February  25, 
1865,  gives  a  good  statement  of  this  feature  of  the  Com- 
mission's operations :  — 

The  Christian  Commission  has  had  all  its  energies  taxed  during 
the  present  winter  in  its  efforts  to  supply  our  armies  with  the  Gospel. 
Twenty  tents,  thirty  by  forty  feet,  costing  between  five  and  six  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  larger  than  any  heretofore  used  for  this  purpose, 
have  been  erected  at  various  points  in  the  Armies  of  the  Potomac, 
James,  Shenandoah,  and  Cumberland  ;  about  one  hundred  and  ten 
chapel  flies,  varying  in  size  from  the  enormous  sixty  by  forty  feet 
down  to  the  twenty  by  thirty  feet,  have  been  also  purchased,  to  serve 
as  covers  for  the  numerous  chapels  erected  by  the  soldiers  themselves 
in  the  field  near  their  encampments.  In  the  West,  in  addition  to  the 
above,  several  houses  have  been  purchased  by  the  Cincinnati  Branch 
of  the  Commission,  and  have  been  sent  forward  into  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland.  One  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  the  work 
has  been  the  alacrity  with  which  the  soldiers  have  entered  into  the 
undertaking  of  erecting  the  walls  for  their  chapels.  In  some  in- 
stances buildings  of  the  most  beautiful  description,  charmingly 
adorned  with  tasteful  decorations  of  many  kinds,  have  been  put  up, 
the  soldiers  seeming  to  vie  with  each  other  in  their  exertions  to  make 
their  tabernacles  in  the  wilderness  as  pleasant  and  happy-looking  as 
possible.  All  these  chapels  the  Commission  has  covered  with  sub- 
stantial roofs  and  supplied  with  stoves.  General  Gregory,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, described  with  much  feeling,  at  the  recent  Anniversary 
Meeting  of  the  Commission  in  Philadelphia,  the  appearance  of  the 
beautiful  chapel  erected  by  his  own  men,  and  fitted  up,  after  being 
covered  and  furnished  by  the  Commission,  with  all  the  art  and  taste 
the  soldiers  were  masters  of,  from  rough  materials,  such  as  pine 
boughs  and  logs  and  twigs,  which  were  woven  into  every  conceivable 
pattern  for  ornament  and  use.  Surely  these  men,  who  have  with 
their  own'  hands  built  their  chapels,  will  love  to  gather  together 

three  of  these  chapel  tents  during  my  term  of  service  for  the  Commission.  A 
colonel  said  to  me  that  he  regarded  them  as  doing  more  good  than  all  its  other 
appliances." 


» 


CHAPEL  AT  MEADE  STATION,  VA.— EXTERIOR. 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  183 

within  these  rustic  walls,  and  will  sing  the  high  praises  of  God,  and 
send  up  their  petitions,  with  an  earnestness  which  only  soldiers  can 
feel. 

A  happy  thought  of  the  officers  of  the  Commission  has  been  to 
interest  Christians  at  home  in  the  success  of  these  chapels,  and  in 
response  to  various  appeals  quite  a  number  of  churches  throughout 
the  country  have  forwarded  to  the  Commission  enough  funds  to  pur- 
chase a  tent,  which,  when  erected,  has  been  called  after  the  name  of 
the  church,  or  pastor,  or  by  any  other  title  chosen.  Two  congrega- 
tions in  Academia,  Juniata  County,  Pennsylvania,  about  the  close 
of  November  last,  were  the  first  to  adopt  this  plan,  and  together  they 
provided  for  the  erection  of  the  Thompson  Tuscarora  Tabernacle. 
Three  churches  in  Philadelphia  followed,  and  others  in  various  parts 
of  the  country.  One  touching  incident,  in  connection  with  the 
naming  of  these  chapels,  is  the  title  given  by  a  merchant  of  New 
York  to  one  which  he  had  erected  in  memory  of  his  deceased  child ; 
it  was  called  "  The  Memorial  Tabernacle."  And  no  monument  of 
profounder  significance,  or  of  more  beautiful  comment  upon  the 
triumph  of  life  over  death,  and  of  the  sweet  remembrance  of  the 
dead,  could  be  thought  of. 

The  Christian  Commission  to-day  is  engaged  in  a  work  of  church 
extension  which  is  absolutely  unparalleled  in  any  other  field  of 
Christian  effort.  It  is  a  new  thing  under  the  sun  that  one  hundred 
and  thirty  houses  for  the  worship  of  God  can  be  put  up  within  a 
few  weeks,  and  stranger  still  that  in  every  one  of  these  houses  ser- 
vices can  be  held,  far  surpassing  any  that  we  hear  of  at  home,  not 
every  Sabbath  only,  but  every  night  in  the  week,  and  three  times  on 
the  Sabbath  besides. 

A  description  of  the  chapel  at  Meade  Station  has  been 
preserved,  as  written  at  the  time  of  its  erection,  and  is 
here  given  in  connection  with  the  excellent  pictures  of 
its  exterior  and  interior.  Meade  Station  was  situated  on 
what  was  called  "  General  Grant's  Railroad,"  and  was 
therefore  not  far  from  the  front.  The  chapel  was 
erected  in  the  winter  of  1864-'o.  A  correspondent  of 
the  Sunday-School  Times  thus  describes  it:— 


184  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Nothing  in  this  region  has  excited  so  much  interest  among  the 
soldiers  as  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  Chapel,  erected 
by  the  soldiers,  under  the  supervision  of  Lieutenant  Thomas  Char- 
tres,  of  Brooklyn,  1ST.  Y.,  the  efficient  Agent  of  the  Commission  for 
the  Ninth  Corps.  Thousands  from  all  parts  of  the  army  have  come 
to  this  station  to  see  this  gem  of  the  battlefield.  Visitors  from  the 
North,  East,  and  West,  do  not  think  of  departing  without  entering 
it.  The  chapel  is  twenty-three  by  forty-three  feet,  having  on  the 
front  a  porch  six  by  seven,  mounted  with  a  belfry  and  spire  fifteen 
feet  high,  made  of  small  pine  poles,  arranged  in  squares  and  trian- 
gles, so  as  to  present  a  very  beautiful  piece  of  rustic  work.  The 
front  door  is  ornamented  with  the  same  style  of  work.  The  flag  of 
the  Commission  floats  above  the  whole.  The  body  of  the  chapel  is 
a  stockade,  made  in  the  following  way :  A  trench  two  feet  deep  is 
dug,  of  the  exact  size  which  the  building  is  to  be ;  pine  logs,  about 
ten  inches  in  diameter  and  twelve  feet  long,  are  split  in  the  centre 
and  hewn.;  these  halves  are  erected  side  by  side  in  the  trench,  the 
hewn  side  within,  and  fastened  in  their  places  by  the  earth.  The 
gable  ends  are  filled  with  pine  poles  running  on  an  angle  with  the 
rafters  and  meeting  in  the  centre;  the  crevices  between  the  poles  and 
halves  are  plastered  up  with  the  "sacred  soil,"  which  effectually 
keeps  out  wind  and  water.  The  whole  is  covered  with  a  canvas. 

The  inside  is  furnished  with  a  floor  of  rough  pine  boards  and 
seats  of  the  same  material,  without  cushions  or  back  to  entice  the 
occupant  to  sleep.  The  ceiling  and  walls  are  as  fresh-looking  and 
neat  as  the  white  canvas  above  and  the  split  pine  around  can  make  it. 
The  rafters  are  trimmed  with  cedar  evergreens  and  holly,  having 
a  wreath  suspended  from  the  centre,  causing  the  ceiling  to  present 
the  appearance  of  a  beautiful  arbor ;  three  poles,  wound  with  ever- 
greens, hang  from  the  ridge  pole,  from  which  are  suspended  kerosene 
lamps ;  a  border  of  evergreens  and  holly  decked  with  its  bright  red 
berry,  a  foot  wide,  hangs  around  the  walls.  The  front  gable  end  is 
covered  with  evergreens  of  various  kinds,  promiscuously  arranged, 
having  in  the  centre  the  corps  badge, — a  shield  bearing  a  cannon 
and  anchor, — surrounded  with  a  wreath.  The  rear  end  has  a  back- 
ground of  white  muslin  ;  three  wreaths  adorn  it,  the  centre  one 
being  brighter  than  the  others,  and  festoons  hang  in  graceful  curves 
between  and  beside  them.  The  left  hand  wreath  has  a  blue  back- 


CHAPEL  AT  MEADE  STATION,  VA  —  INTERIOR. 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  185 

ground,  bearing  in  white  letters  the  word  "  9TH ;"  the  centre 
wreath  has  the  corps  badge,  with  a  red  back-ground;  the  ri<:ht 
hand  wreath  has  a  white  back-ground,  bearing  in  red  the  letters 
"  A.  C."  Arranged  in  the  arc  of  a  circle,  over  the  centre  wreath, 
is  the  sentence,  "GOD  IB  LOVE."  The  letters  are  made  of  cedar 
tips.  The  pulpit  is  a  breastwork,  five  feet  wide,  having  a  column 
on  each  corner,  and  a  few  inches  back  of  each  are  other  columns. 
The  columns  and  spaces  between  are  richly  ornamented  with  pine 
rods,  so  artistically  arranged  as  to  present  one  of  the  most  novel  and 
beautiful  pulpits  ever  preached  in.  It  was  constructed  by  Mr.  Lewis 
Cole,  a  private  of  the  Nineteenth  New  York  Battery. 

A  small  space  of  ground  around  the  chapel  is  fenced  in  with  poles, 
hung  with  pine  boughs ;  walks  lined  with  young  trees  divide  the  lot 
into  squares.  There  is  such  a  quiet  home-like  appearance,  without 
and  within,  that  the  soldiers  love  to  assemble  here  to  worship  the 
God  of  their  fathers.  Every  night  this  chapel  is  crowded  with  earn- 
est and  inquiring  souls,  and  from  its  altar  goes  up  constant  incense 
to  the  Lord  of  our  country  and  the  Saviour  of  our  souls. 

In  selecting  a  detailed  illustration  of  the  services  held  in 
the  Chapel  Tents,  the  choice  is  made  difficult  by  the  num- 
ber at  hand,  each  well  worthy  of  preservation.  The  follow- 
ing is  taken  as  coining  from  a  distant  portion  of  the  field. 
It  is  from  a  letter  addressed  to  the  New  York  Committee, 
under  date  of  Morganzia,  Louisiana,  January  5, 1865: — 

It  has  been  in  my  heart  some  days  to  give  a  more  detailed  report 
of  the  work  of  the  Commission  in  connection  with  the  chapel  tent. 
It  affords  facilities  for  the  distribution  of  reading- matter  and  sani- 
tary stores.  My  circulating  library  is  quite  an  institution  in  itself. 
Here  are  about  six  thousand  soldiers  in  camp.  They  find  much 
time  for  reading.  I  am  happy  to  say  that  many  of  them  appreciate 
and  improve  the  opportunity.  At  the  same  time,  the  tent  is  fitted 
up  for  religious  meetings.  This  seemed  to  be  needful ;  first,  from  the 
fact  that  so  few  chaplains  are  in  the  service  (only  one  at  this  place 
now)  ;  second,  the  soldiers  need  a  rallying  point,  around  whirh  tin  y 
can  gather  for  devotions,  especially  in  the  months  of  the  winter. 

24 


186  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Sunday  evening,  October  9, 1  commenced  an  evening  meeting,  which 
has  been  continued  with  growing  numbers  and  interest -to  this  time  ; 
preaching  on  Sunday  and  Wednesday  evenings;  prayer-meetings 
other  evenings ;  Bible  class  Sunday  forenoon,  largely  attended  by 
officers  and  men. 

The  prayer-meetings  have  been  most  effective.  Friday  evening, 
Oct.  28,  there  seemed  to  be  a  solemn  spirit  prevailing ;  on  invitation 
to  the  thoughtful  and  anxious,  to  the  surprise  of  some,  nine  soldiers 
rose  for  prayer.  Since  then  there  has  been  a  constant  revival.  Not 
less  than  twenty  have  received  salvation  in  connection  with  these 
meetings.  At  no  time  has  the  work  appeared  so  deep  and  hopeful 

as  at  the  present.    Some  cases  have  been  of  special  interest The 

testimonies  of  pious  soldiers  in  meetings  are  truly  edifying.  One  was 
converted  seventeen  years  ago,  amid  storm  and  tempest,  in  the  moun- 
tains of  Virginia;  another  thanks  God  that  he  was  converted  on 
the  broad  prairies  of  Iowa ;  another  on  Pine  Creek ;  another  in  a  rude 
chapel  in  Kentucky ;  and  another  at  his  bedside  in  Massachusetts. 
Nearly  all  bless  God  for  praying  mothers.  In  a  word,  these  meet- 
ings are  of  thrilling  interest,  great  occasions, — sometimes  as  many 
outside  as  inside  the  tent.  There  is  the  most  perfect  decorum.  I 
confess  that  my  heart  is  warm  as  I  write.  To  me  it  is  a  luxury  to 

serve  such  a  cause The  boys  now  propose  to  build  a  chapel, 

in  addition  to  my  tent,  so  that  we  will  be  better  able  to  accommo- 
date the  large  numbers  who  desire  to  attend  the  meetings. 

This  extended  reference  to  the  chapel  tents  of  the 
Christian  Commission  may  be  properly  concluded  by 
the  testimony  of  Dr.  George  T.  Stevens,  Surgeon  of  the 
77th  Eegiment  New  York  Volunteers,  in  his  work  en- 
titled Three  Years  in  the  Sixth  Corps,  p.  300:  — 

The  Christian  Commission,  among  other  good  things  which  it  did 
for  the  soldiers,  and  this  was  among  the  best,  made  arrangements  by 
which  it  loaned  to  nearly  every  brigade  in  the  army  a  large  canvas, 
to  be  used  as  a  roof  for  a  brigade  chapel.  These  chapels  were  built 
of  logs,  and  were  covered  with  the  canvas,  and  were  in  many  cases 
large  enough  to  hold  three  hundred  people.  Here  religious  services 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  187 

were  held,  not  only  on  Sundays,  but  also  on  week-day  evenings.  A 
deep  religious  interest  prevailed  in  many  of  the  brigades,  and  great 
numbers  of  soldiers  professed  to  have  met  with  a  change  of  heart. 


Several  features  in  the  operations  of  the  Commission 
were  either  introduced  during  this  year  or  were  advanced 
to  greater  prominence  and  influence  than  before.  Chief 
among  these  were  the  organization  of  Ladies'  Christian 
Commissions,  as  a  part  of  the  home  machinery,  and  the 
sending  of  a  Deputation  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  and  in  the 
army  the  establishment  of  Special  Diet  Kitchens  for  the 
very  sick  in  hospital,  the  enlargement  of  the  service  of 
"  Individual  Relief,"  and  the  management  of  day  schools 
for  the  colored  troops.  But  these  will  more  properly  be 
recounted  elsewhere. 

A  Convention  of  the  Western  Branches  of  the  Com- 
mission assembled  in  Indianapolis  (in  Wesley  Chapel), 
on  Tuesday,  November  29,  and  continued  in  session  three 
days.  All  the  Auxiliaries  West  of  Pittsburg  were  repre- 
sented by  many  of  their  best  men,  as  were  also  the  prin- 
cipal stations  of  the  Commission  in  the  Western  armies. 
Rarely  has  such  a  gathering  been  more  strongly  charac- 
terized by  earnest  attention  to  business  and  by  a  spirit 
of  Christian  devotion  and  harmony.  All  felt  that  God 
had  committed  to  them,  as  stewards,  the  most  important 
trusts,  and  that  they  were  animated  by  common  desires 
and  aims.  Interesting  reports  were  made  from  the 
various  home  districts.  The  work  in  the  army  was 
passed  in  review.  Plans  were  laid  for  more  efficient  and 
systematic  co-operation.  The  hearts  of  all  were  quick- 
ened and  refreshed  by  the  opportunity  furnished  for 
Christian  intercourse,  and  by  the  renewed  consciousness 


188  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

of  being  engaged  in  one  of  the  noblest  enterprises  of 
patriotism  and  Christianity.  The  battle  of  Franklin, 
Tennessee,  took  place  during  the  sitting  of  this  Conven- 
tion. Immediately  upon  adjournment,  a  number  of  the 
members  left  for  Nashville  to  assist  in  caring  for  the 
wounded,  and  remained  until  after  the  fierce  and  decisive 
engagement  at  that  place. 

The  condition  of  our  prisoners,  held  as  captives  at  the 
South,  engaged  a  large  share  of  public  attention  during 
the  year.  The  reports  of  destitution,  cruelty,  and  fright- 
ful mortality,  in  the  principal  military  prisons  of  the 
South,  roused  intense  indignation  throughout  the  North, 
and  an  equally  strong  desire  to  send  relief  to  the  unfor- 
tunate and  maltreated  men.  The  reports  heard  were 
confirmed  by  the  testimony,  and  more  convincingly  by 
the  starved  and  suffering  condition,  of  those  prisoners 
who  returned  North  upon  being  exchanged  or  paroled. 
Many  died  on  the  passage,  or  soon  afterward.  A  care- 
ful investigation  of  the  current  reports,  with  an  exami- 
nation of  many  of  the  prisoners  shortly  after  their  re- 
lease, by  an  able  committee  of  professional  men  acting 
under  the  auspices  of  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission, 
substantiated  the  worst  public  rumors.  The  Christian 
Commission,  as  has  been  seen  in  the  previous  chapter, 
was  ready  and  eager  to  render  such  assistance  in  this 
matter  as  might  be  within  their  power.  Early  in  Octo- 
ber, 1864,  the  Commission  was  memorialized  by  several 
prominent  clergymen  and  others,  of  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  in  behalf  of  the  Brooklyn  and  Long  Island  Chris- 
tian Commission,  and  urged  to  appoint  a  National  Com- 
mittee, to  whom  the  whole  subject  should  be  referred,  to 
make  thorough  investigation  of  all  the  facts  in  the  case, 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  189 

and  to  devise,  if  possible,  some  method  of  relief.  After 
some  delay,  for  deliberation,  consultation,  and  corres- 
pondence with  the  Government  and  with  influential  cit- 
izens, the  proposition  from  Brooklyn  was  favorably  en- 
tertained by  the  Executive  Committee,  and  the  desired 
Committee  was  appointed.  It  afterward  seemed  best,  in 
consideration  of  the  action  of  the  Government  and  the 
Sanitary  Commission,  that  the  course  of  the  Christian 
Commission  should  be  somewhat  modified.  Instead  of 
entering  upon  a  formal  investigation,  it  was  determined 
that  the  Commission  should  at  once  endeavor  to  send  a 
deputation  to  the  Southern  prisons,  to  carry  and  admin- 
ister to  the  prisoners,  from  the  stores  of  the  Commission, 
such  relief  as  might  be  practicable  and  permitted.  Ac- 
cordingly the  following  letter  was  addressed  to  the  Sec- 
retary of  War :  — 

U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  CENTRAL  OFFICE,  11  BANK  STREET,  \ 
PHILADELPHIA,  October  31,  1864.     / 

Hon.  EDWIN  M.  STANTON,  Secretary  of  War: — 

Dear  Sir:  Permit  me,  in  accordance  with  instructions  from  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission,  to 
inform  you  that  we  are  very  desirous  of  reaching  the  Union  prisoners 
in  Rebel  prisons  with  efficient  relief  and  benefit.  And  for  this  purpose 
we  propose  asking  the  so-called  Confederate  authorities  to  admit  a 
suitable  number  of  unexceptionable  Delegates  of  this  Commission,  with 
stores  and  publications,  to  visit  and  minister  to  our  prisoners.  Will 
there  be  any  impropriety  in  this  ?  Will  the  national  interests  be  in 
any  way  prejudiced  by  it  ?  Will  the  Government  permit  us  to  assure 
the  so-called  Confederate  authorities  that,  if  desired  by  them,  the  favor 
will  be  reciprocated  ? 

With  highest  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  8.  C.  C. 

To  this  request  the  War  Department  replied  as 
follows : — 


190  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE.  "1 
WASHINGTON,  December  1.  1864.     J 

GEO.  H.  STUART, 

Chairman  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  Philadelphia,  Pa. : — 
Sir :  The  United  States  Christian  Commission,  of  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, having  expressed  its  desire  to  send  a  suitable  number  of  un- 
exceptionable Delegates  of  the  Commission,  with  stores  and  publica- 
tions, to  visit  and -minister  to  the  Union  prisoners  in  Southern  pri- 
sons, with  efficient  relief  and  benefit,  and  Lieutenant-General  Grant 
having  approved  the  plan,  permission  is  hereby  granted  to  the  Com- 
mission to  send  a  number  of  good  Christian  men  for  the  object  pro- 
posed, whose  names  and  residences,  and  the  points  to  which  it  is 
proposed  to  send  them,  will  first  be  communicated  to  the  Adjutant- 
General  of  the  Army  at  Washington.  In  return,  authority  will  be 
granted,  if  desired,  on  application  to  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  to 
proper  Christian  Agents  of  the  South,  to  visit  and  administer  to  pri- 
soners taken  in  arms  against  the  United  States,  and  held  in  our  prisons. 
I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  Assistant  Adjutant- General. 


Under  date  of  December  21,  Mr.  Stuart  wrote  to  Col. 
Townsend:  — 


U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  CENTRAL  OFFICE,  11  BANK  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA,  December  21,  1864. 


•) 

COL.  E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant- General,  Washington,  D.  C.:  — 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor 
of  the  7th  instant,  in  answer  to  the  request  of  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission,  to  send  their  Delegates,  with  stores  and  pub- 
lications, to  our  soldiers  in  Southern  prisons.  Allow  me  to  thank 
you  for  the  favor  with  which  that  request  has  been  entertained,  and 
for  the  kind  terms  in  which  your  reply  is  expressed. 

....  I  would  also,  as  you  ask,  forward  the  following  names  of 
gentlemen,  with  their  residences,  whom  we  propose  sending  upon  the 
designated  errand.  They  have  signified  their  readiness  to  go,  and 
most  of  them  will  doubtless  be  recognized  by  you  as  prominent 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  191 

Christian  men,  most  loyal  and  true.  The  names  are,  Rt.  Rev.  C.  P. 
Mcllvaine,  D.D.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Rt.  Rev.  Alfred  Lee,  D.D.,1 
Wilmington,  Delaware;  Rev.  E.  S.  Janes,  D.D.,  New  York;  Rev. 
Wm.  Adams,  D.D.,  New  York;  Mr.  Norman  White,  New  York; 
Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Philadelphia ;  Horatio  Gates  Jones,  Philadelphia. 

As  to  the  points  where  it  is  proposed  to  send  them,  we  cannot  par- 
ticularly specify.  The  continually  changing  field  of  the  war,  and 
the  changes  made  and  liable  to  be  made  in  the  location  of  Southern 
prisons,  renders  such  specifications  difficult  if  not  impossible.  I 
would  therefore  respectfully  ask  that  they  be  granted  general  permis- 
sion to  visit  the  Southern  prisons, — the  particular  places  to  be  left 
to  the  necessities  and  exigencies  of  the  case  and  their  own  judg- 
ment,— always  premising  that  upon  this,  as  upon  every  other  point 
in  the  undertaking,  we  wish  any  direction  and  suggestion  you  may 
be  pleased  to  give. 

I  am  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C. 


Col.  Townsend  replied  as  follows  :  — 

NT,  ADJUTAN 
WASHINGTON,  January  5,  1865 


WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  \ 


GEO.  H.  STUART, 

Chairman  U.  8.  Christian  Commission,  Philadelphia,  Pa.: — 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you,  that  a  copy  of  your  letter 
of  December  21st  having  been  sent  to  Lieutenant-General  Grant,  he 
has  signified  his  approbation  of  the  gentlemen  named  therein  for  the 
purpose  of  visiting  our  prisoners  confined  in  Southern  prisons. 

The  Secretary  of  War  directs  me  to  say  that  either  or  all  of  the 
gentlemen  named,  as  follows,  on  presenting  themselves  to  Lieutenant- 
General  Grant,  at  his  headquarters  near  Petersburg,  will  be  per- 
mitted, on  the  General's  pass,  and  under  such  instructions  as  he 
sees  fit  to  give,  to  go  through  the  enemy's  line  on  their,  mission. 
[Here  follow  the  names,  as  above  given.] 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  Assistant  Adjutant- General. 

»  Bishop  Lee  was  appointed  as  the  alternate  of  Bishop  McTlvnine,  whore 
interest  in  the  matter  was  very  great,  but  who  felt  unable  to  take  part  in  it 
personally.  Other  distinguished  gentlemen  were  also  chosen,  but  their  duties 
would  not  permit  them  to  accept  the  service. 


192  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  gentlemen  named  were  at  once  instructed  to 
hasten  forward  on  their  errand,  and  were  each  furnished 
with  the  following 

COMMISSION. 

U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  CENTRAL  OFFICE,  11  BANK  STREET,  "> 
PHILADELPHIA,  January,  1865.      / 
To  all  to  whom  these  Presents  shall  come : — 

GREETING:   The   United    States   Christian   Commission    have 
appointed  and  commissioned 

a  Delegate,  to  proceed  to  Richmond,  Va.,  and  to  such  other 
places  in  the  South  as  may  be  accessible  to  him,  to  relieve  the  wants 
of  the  Union  prisoners  now  confined  in  the  Southern  military  pri- 
sons, by  distributing  among  them  food,  clothing,  medicines,  and 
religious  publications. 

He  is  strictly  enjoined  to  abstain  from  reporting  anything  not 
allowed  by  the  authorities  of  the  places  he  may  visit,  and  to  do  no 
act  that  shall  bring  discredit  on  the  cause  in  which  he  is  engaged. 

All  possible  facilities  and  all  due  courtesies  are  asked  for  him,  in 
the  discharge  of  the  duties  assigned  him. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  Christian  Commission. 
Attest :  W.  E.  BOARDMAN,  Secretary. 

Bishop  Janes,  Bishop  Lee,  and  Mr.  Jones  forthwith 
set  forward, — Dr.  Adams,  Mr.  Stuart,  and  Mr.  White 
holding  themselves  in  readiness  to  join  their  colleagues 
should  the  way  to  the  South  be  found  open.  On  the 
14th  of  January,  Mr.  Stuart  advised  General  Grant  of 
the  coming  of  the  deputation.  General  Grant  replied 
by  telegraph:  — 

CITY  POINT,  January  19,  1865. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.:  — 

Your  letter  of  the  14th  just  received  and  read.  When  the  gentle- 
men you  speak  of  arrive  they  will  be  sent  through  the  lines,  if  no 
objection  is  made  on  the  other  side. 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant- General. 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  193 

The  rest  of  the  story  may  be  best  told  by  the  official 
report  of  the  Delegation  :  — 

REPORT  of  the  Delegation  of  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission  to  visit  Federal  Prisoners 
of  War  confined  in  Southern  Prisons. 

To  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 

of  the  U.S.  Christian  Commission:  — 

Gentlemen :  The  undersigned,  the  special  Delegation  appointed  to 
proceed  to  Richmond  and  other  places  in  the  Southern  States,  to  visit 
and  minister  to  the  Federal  prisoners  of  war  now  held  in  confine- 
ment, have  the  honor  to  report,  That  they  left  their  homes  on  their 
important  mission  on  Wednesday,  January  17,  1865,  and  arrived  at 
Fortress  Monroe,  via  Baltimore,  on  Thursday  morning.  They  pro- 
ceeded at  once  to  City  Point,  Va.,  the  headquarters  of  the  armies  of 
the  United  States,  and  soon  after  their  arrival  addressed  a  letter  to 
Lieutenant-General  Grant,  who  expressed  his  readiness  to  receive  the 
Delegation  at  their  own  convenience.  We  accordingly  called  on 
the  General,  and  were  favored  with  an  interview  which  lasted  over 
two  hours.  We  were  most  cordially  received,  and  our  documents 
were  read  with  marked  interest.  The  General  said  that  he  would 
give  us  every  facility  for  carrying  out  the  object  of  our  mission,  and 
promptly  placed  at  our  disposal  the  steamer "  Mohansett,"  giving 
special  orders  to  have  it  start  by  daybreak  the  next  morning,  so  as  to 
reach  Colonel  Mulford,  our  Assistant  Agent  of  Exchange,  at  Varina, 
not  far  from  the  enemy's  lines,  before  he  should  leave  to  meet  Com- 
missioner Ould,  the  Confederate  Agent  of  Exchange.  General  Grant 
also  furnished  us  with  a  letter  to  Colonel  Mulford,  and  one  to  Com- 
missioner Ould.  With  the  latter,  he  enclosed  the  authority  under 
which  we  were  acting.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  letter  to  Colonel 
Ould:  — 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMIES  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES,  1 
January  19,  18B5.      j 

COL.  Ro.  OULD,  Agent  of  Exchange  :— 

Sir:  Enclosed  I  send  you  the  names  of  a  number  of  gentlemen,  who  have 
been  selected  by  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  to  go  South,  for  the  purpose 
of  visiting  such  prisons  as  they  may  be  allowed  to  visit,  containing  Federal 
prisoners  of  war,  and  to  see,  for  the  body  of  which  they  are  members  and  for 
the  public  generally,  their  condition  and  circumstances.  Three  of  thefle  gen- 
tlemen are  now,  here  waiting  your  action. 
25 


194  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

I  will  state,  that  any  privilege  you  will  grant  in  this  matter  will.be  extended 
to  an  equal  number  of  gentlemen  sent  from  the  South  for  similar  purposes. 
Should  this  favor  be  granted,  it  will  probably  serve  to  satisfy  the  friends  of 
prisoners,  both  North  and  South,  of  the  exaggeration  of  the  reports  of  suffering 
so  rife  in  both  sections. 

I  would  respectfully  ask  a  reply  to  this  at  your  earliest  convenience. 
Very  respectfully, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant-Genera!. 

We  went  on  board  the  steamer  that  same  night,  and  reached 
Varina,  or  Aiken's  Landing,  early  on  Friday  morning,  and  called  on 
Colonel  Mulford,  whom  we  found  on  the  flag-of-truce  steamer  "  New 
York."  We  delivered  to  him  the  letters  furnished  us  by  General 
Grant,  and  also  the  following  communication,  addressed  by  your 
Delegation  to  General  Lee :  — 

FLAG-OF-TRCCE  BOAT,      "> 
JAMES  KIVER,  January  20,  1865.  J 

GEN.  ROBERT  E.  LEE, 

Commanding  Army  of  Northern  Virginia: — 

General:  The  undersigned  have  been  appointed  by  the  United  States  Chris- 
tian Commission,  to  visit  the  Federal  prisoners  of  war  now  confined  in  the 
military  prisons  at  Richmond  and  other  places  in  the  South. 

It  has  been  one  of  the  primary  objects  of  the  Christian  Commission  to  minis- 
ter to  the  spiritual  and  bodily  wants  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  and  sailors. 
Your  own  suffering  soldiers,  on  the  battle-field,  in  hospitals,  and  in  prisons, 
have  often  been  the  recipients  of  sympathy  and  aid  from  the  Delegates  of  our 
Commission. 

We  respectfully  ask  from  you  a  safe  conduct  to  and  from  your  military 
prisons,  to  enable  us  to  accomplish  the  object  of  our  appointment.  The  under- 
signed are  civilians,  and  the  Christian  Commission  is  a  voluntary  association. 
Should  our  request  be  granted,  we  are  ready  to  give  such  assurances  as  may 
properly  be  demanded  of  us. 

Awaiting  your  reply,  we  remain,  General, 

Your  obedient  servants, 

E.  S.  JANES, 
ALFRED  LEE, 
HORATIO  GATES  JONES. 

The  whole  of  these  documents  were  forwarded  at  an  early  hour  to 
Commissioner  Ould,  and  were  in  Richmond  that  same  day.  Satur- 
day proved  to  be  very  rainy,  which  delayed  the  expected  answer, 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  195 

but  about  3  o'clock  p.  M.,  Colonel  Mulford  returned  from  his  inter- 
view with  Colonel  Quid,  and  handed  us  the  following  letter,  viz.:  — 

OFFICE  U.  8.  ASSISTANT  AGENT  FOR  EXCHANGE  OF  PRISONERS,  ) 
FLAG-OF-TRUCE  STEAMER  "  NEW  YORK,"         V 
VARINA,  JAMES  RIVER,  VA.,  Jan.  21,  1865.     J 
Rev.  BISHOP  E.  S.  JANES,  D.  D., 
Rt.  Rev.  BISHOP  ALFRED  LEE,  D.  D., 
HORATIO  GATES  JONES  :  — 

Gentlemen:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  am  directed  by  the  Con- 
federate authorities  to  notify  you,  that  they  deem  it  inexpedient  to  grant  your 
request,  for  permission  to  visit  th«  Federal  prisoners  held  by  them,  at  thin 
time.  Your  communication  will  doubtless  be  answered  by  letter  at  my  next 
interview  with  the  Confederate  Agent  for  Exchange.  If  so,  I  will  promptly 
forward  the  same  to  you. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  E.  MULFORD, 
Lt.-CoL  and  U.  S.  Assist.  A  gent  for  Exchange. 

We  returned  that  night  to  City  Point,  and  reported  at  General 
Grant's  headquarters. 

From  conversations  with  returned  prisoners  and  officers  of  the 
army,  and  from  information  gained  from  other  sources,  we  are 
profoundly  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the  object  which  the 
Christian  Commission  had  in  view,  in  the  appointment  of  this  Dele- 
gation to  visit  our  suffering  soldiers  now  confined  in  the  South.  We 
did  hope  to  be  permitted  to  visit  our  prisoners  and  personally  minis- 
ter to  their  temporal  and  spiritual  comfort,  and  deeply  regret  the 
failure  of  our  attempt  to  do  so.  This  regret,  however,  is  somewhat 
lessened  by  the  fact,  which  was  communicated  to  us  by  General 
Grant  and  Colonel  Mulford,  that  our  Government,  under  a  recent 
arrangement,  is  already  sending  forward  supplies  of  such  articles  as 
are  most  needed  by  our  prisoners ;  and  also  that,  under  the  same 
arrangement,  the  Christian  Commission  can  send  to  them  a  reason- 
able amount  of  reading-matter, — which  we  recommend  should  be 
immediately  done.  Although  the  present  attempt  to  reach  our 
prisoners  has  not  been  successful,  yet  in  our  judgment  this  failure 
ought  not  to  discourage  a  similar  application  at  another  time. 

During  this  visit  of  the  Delegation,  we  availed  ourselves  of  every 
opportunity  that  offered  to  observe  the  workings  and  operations  of 


196  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  Christian  Commission.  At  City  Point,  on  the  night  of  our 
arrival,  service  was  held  in  the  new  hospital  chapel,  by  Bishops  Lee 
and  Janes,  the  latter  preaching  to  about  four  hundred  soldiers. 
While  at  Vai-ina,  awaiting  a  reply  from  Richmond,  Col.  Mulford 
kindly  furnished  the  Delegation  with  an  ambulance  and  a  proper 
escort,  and  we  were  conducted  through  the  greater  part  of  the  Army 
of  the  James.  We  visited  various  stations  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission in  this  army,  which  we  found  in  a  nourishing  condition,  with 
their  new  chapels  ready  for  use  and  some  already  dedicated.  The 
Delegates  whom  we  saw  at  our  stations,  in  both  armies,  appeared  to 
be  men  who  understood  their  work,  and  were  deeply  interested  in  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  the  soldiers.  They  reported  to  us  that  large 
numbers  of  our  brave  men  attend  the  meetings  in  the  chapels,  and 
that  many  evince  a  deep  religious  feeling.  We  were  also  gratified  to 
learn  that  brigade  schools  have  been  established  by  our  Delegates 
among  the  colored  troops,  and  that  great  anxiety  on  their  part  is 
manifested  to  improve  the  advantages  thus  extended  to  them. 

Our  Sunday  was  spent  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Bishop 
Janes  officiated  at  the  headquarters  of  Brigadier-General  Edgar  M. 
Gregory,  where  he  dedicated  the  brigade  chapel,  and  also  preached 
at  City  Point  at  night.  Bishop  Lee  conducted  the  opening  services 
and  preached  a  sermon,  in  the  new  chapel  at  the  headquarters  of 
Major-General  Meade.  At  night  Bishop  Lee  and  Mr.  Jones  attended 
service  at  the  large  hospital  chapel  near  City  Point,  and  made  brief 
addresses. 

From  our  personal  observation,  and  from  the  testimony  of  the 
officers  and  soldiers  with  whom  we  had  the  opportunity  of  conversing 
freely,  we  are  persuaded  that  the  Christian  Commission  is  carrying 
out  the  object  of  its  organization  very  acceptably  and  effectively, 
and  that  great  spiritual  and  temporal  benefits  are  being  conferred 
upon  the  army  and  navy.  We  also  express  it  as  our  judgment,  that 
the  considerable  amount  of  funds  expended  in  providing  chapels 
for  the  army  has  been  wisely  employed, — these  chapels  being  indis- 
pensable, at  this  season  of  the  year,  to  the  maintenance  of  public 
religious  services  on  the  Lord's  day  and  at  other  times. 

We  desire,  in  closing  our  Report,  to  express  our  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments for  the  unwearied  kindness  and  courtesy  extended  to  us 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  197 

by  Lieu  tenant-General  Grant,  Colonel  Mulford,  and  all  other  officers 
of  the  army  with  whom  we  had  business  or  whom  it  was  our  pri- 
vilege to  meet.  All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

EDMUND  S.  JANES,  of  New  York. 

ALFRED  LEE,  of  Wilmington,  Del. 

HORATIO  GATES  JONES,  of  Philadelphia. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  26,  1865. 

The  "letter  of  Colonel  Ould,  referred  to  in  the  fore- 
going report,  was  afterward  received,  and  was  furnished 
to  the  Commission  by  General  Grant.  It  is  as  follows: — 

RICHMOND,  VA.,  January  24,  1865. 

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL  U.  S.  GRANT,  U.  S.  A.: — 

Sir:  Your  communication  of  the  19th  instant,  enclosing  the  names 
of  a  number  of  gentlemen  who  have  been  selected  by  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission,  to  go  South,  for  the  purpose  of  visiting 
our  prisoners,  has  been  received.  You  further  state  that  any  pri- 
vilege granted  in  the  matter  would  be  extended  to  an  equal  number 
of  gentlemen  sent  by  us  for  similar  purposes,  and  that  such  action 
might  probably  serve  to  satisfy  the  friends  of  prisoners,  both  North 
and  South,  of  the  exaggeration  of  the  reports  of  suffering  so  rife  in 
both  sections. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1864,  in  a  letter  to  Major-General  Hitch- 
cock, Commissioner  of  Exchange,  I  proposed  that  a  proper  number 
of  surgeons,  to  be  selected  by  their  own  Government,  should  be  per- 
mitted to  attend  prisoners  on  each  side  respectively,  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  charge  of  their  health  and  comfort,  receiving  and  distri- 
buting contributions,  and  making  report  of  any  matters  relating  to 
the  welfare  of  the  parties  under  their  care.  Although  just  one  year 
hag  elapsed  since  the  date  of  that  communication,  no  answer  has 
been  returned.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  the  persons  referred  to  in 
your  letter  are  very  respectable  gentlemen,  yet  they  are  certainly  not 
as  well  suited  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  prisoners  as  accredited 
officers,  whose  routine  of  duty  makes  them  peculiarly  fitted  to  relieve 
the  sick  and  wounded.  I  therefore  respectfully  suggest  that  your 
application  be  so  changed  as  to  embrace  my  offer,  so  long  treated 
with  silence.  I  am  quite  confident  that  all  the  interests  of  Immunity 


198  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

will  be  promoted  by  the  modification.  It  is  true  that  your  prisoners 
are  suffering.  It  is  one  of  the  calamities  and  necessities  of  the  war, 
made  so  not  by  our  choice.  We  have  done  everything  we  can 
consistently  with  the  duty  we  owe  to  ourselves.  We  intend  to  do 
the  same  in  the  future.  But  that  great  suffering  must  ensue, 
if  your  prisoners  remain  in  our  hands,  is  very  certain.  For  that 
reason  I  propose  that  all  of  them  be  delivered  to  you  in  exchange, 
man  for  man  and  officer  for  officer,  according  to  grade,  for  those  of 
ours  whom  you  hold.  Will  not  the  cause  of  humanity  be  far  more 
promoted  by  such  a  course,  than  even  if,  as  you  suggest,  the  friends 
of  prisoners,  both  North  and  South,  are  satisfied  of  the  exaggeration 
of  the  reports  of  suffering  so  rife  in  both  sections?  If,  however, 
prisoners  are  to  remain  in  confinement,  at  least  let  us  mutually  send, 
to  their  relief  and  comfort,  stationary  agents,  whose  official  duty 
requires  them  to  devote  all  their  time  and  labor  to  their  sacred 
mission. 

For  the  reasons  stated,  I  decline  the  proposed  visit  of  the  gentle- 
men to  whom  you  refer.  In  doing  so,  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from 
you  whether  either  of  the  alternatives  presented  meets  with  your 
favor.  Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Ho.  OULD,  Agent  of  Exchange. 

The  general  extent  and  character  of  the  Christian 
Commission's  operations  during  the  latter  part  of  this 
year,  are  briefly  and  clearly  set  forth  in  the  following- 
letter  from  Mr.  Stuart  to  Mr.  Tobey  :  — 


U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  CENTRAL  OFFICE,  11  BANK  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA,  October  27,  1864. 


EDW.  S.  TOBEY,  ESQ., 

Chairman  Army  Committee,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Boston:  — 
Dear  Sir :  Mr.  Rowland  writes  me,  under  date  of  yesterday,  that 
you  wish  to  know  "  what  are  the  peculiar  reasons  for  calling  for  fur- 
ther contributions  of  money, — what  special  reasons  for  further 
efforts."  I  gladly  respond,  and  avail  myself  of  this  opportunity  to 
offer  for  your  consideration  the  following  facts,  showing  the  imme- 
diate and  prospective  needs  of  the  Commission.  I  take  the  present 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  199 

scale  of  expenditure  as  the  basis  of  an  estimate  for  the  next  six 
months,  which  will  bring  the  work  to  the  first  of  May. 

1.  The  calls  are  urgent  from  every  part  of  the  great  field  for 
more  Delegates.      Mr.  Cole  telegraphs  for  thirty  immediately  at 
City  Point ;  Mr.  Abbot  writes  for  nearly  as  many  at  Washington ; 
Mr.  Tisdale  wants  help  at  Fortress  Monroe ;  Mr.  Miller  makes  an 
earnest  appeal  from  the  Sheuandoah ;  and  the  cry  comes  from  the 
entire  circle  of  stations.     Not  less  than  three  hundred  men  should 
be  kept  permanently  in  the  field.     This  simply  to  work  our  stations 
as  they  now  are,  without  the  enlargement  which  "winter  quarters" 
may  abundantly  offer. 

2.  Our  general   expenditures  last  month  were  over*  $180,000. 
This  month  they  will  equal  if  not  exceed  that  amount.     But  if  the 
monthly  general  expenditure  from  this  office,  for  the  next  six  mouths, 
be  $150,000,  we  shall  need  for  this  alone,  before  the  first  of  next 
May,  the  sum  of  $900,000. 

3.  Our  newspaper  distribution,  as  a  necessity,  has  been  increased 
to  400,000  copies  per  month,  which  is  not,  even  with  this  increase, 
an  adequate  supply  for  the  demand.     These,  at  three  cents  per  copy, 
will  cost  $12,000  per  month,  or  $72,000  until  May. 

4.  Libraries  for  hospitals  and  gunboats,  which  should  have  been 
furnished  long  ago,  —  three  hundred  in  number,  —  will  cost  $25,000. 

5.  Chapels  and  chapel  covers,  for  use  during  the  winter,  at  least 
one  hundred,  will  cost  $30,000. 

6.  Our  Diet  Kitchens,  now  in  operation  in  the  West,  will  call  for 
$10,000  per  month,  and  if  our  expectations  are  fulfilled  in  multiply- 
ing these  kitchens,  by  introducing  them  into  the  Eastern  armies,  this 
sum  must  be  doubled, — or  $120,000  for  the  next  six  months. 

7.  A  single  order  is  before  us,  principally  to  answer  demands 
from  the  Missouri  invasion,  for  one  thousand  shirts,  one  thousand 
pair  drawers,  five  hundred  pair  socks,  with  other  articles,— costing 
in  all  $10,000. 

These  facts  show  that,  at  the  very  lowest  estimate,  we  should  have 
not  less  than  one  and  a  quarter  millions  of  dollars  ($1,250,000) 
before  the  first  of  May  next.  We  should  also  have  a  large  margin 
for  the  rapidly  multiplying  opportunities  and  demands  for  extending 
our  work.  Of  the  nature  and  need  of  this  work  there  is  no  occasion 
to  say  a  word  to  you.  The  strongest  argument  is  in  the  sober  and 


200  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

solemn  figures  that  I  have  given.  Immediate  measures  should  be 
taken  to  bring  this  matter  before  every  community,  congregation, 
and  Christian  in  New  England  and  the  country.  No  Christian  can 
be  unmoved  or  inactive  in  view  of  such  unprecedented  obligations 
and  opportunities.  Yours  faithfully, 

GEO.  H.  STUART, 
Chairman  U.  S.  Christian  Commission. 

Two  documents  of  unusual  interest  were  published 
during  the  year, — one  coming  from  the  church  at  home 
and  the  .other  from  the  army, — both  making  their  ap- 
peal for  more  earnest  endeavors  in  preaching  the  Gospel 
to  the  soldiers.  They  are  here  reproduced  in  full,  be- 
cause of  their  representative  character  and  permanent 
value.  The  first  is  the  "Pastoral  Letter"  presented  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Association 
of  Congregationalist  Churches,  June  23.  It  was  pre- 
pared by  Rev.  Alfred  Emerson,  of  Fitchburg,  and  Rev. 
E.  P.  Smith,  General  Field  Agent  of  the  Christian 
Commission  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  : — 

Dear  Brethren: — The  record  of  the  Church  of  Christ  becomes 
more  and  more  eventful  with  every  passing  year.  Each  new  event 
evolves  new  responsibility.  Especially  is  it  so  amid  the  death 
grapple  with  slavery  and  rebellion,  which  is  now  taxing  the  resources 
of  the  nation  to  its  utmost. 

It  cannot,  therefore,  be  inappropriate  to  call  to  mind  in  this  letter 
some  of  the  duties  which  the  passing  history  of  the  kingdom  of  our 
Lord  makes  imperative  upon  us,  as  churches  and  disciples. 

Look  at  some  of  the  facts.  The  young  men  of  the  land  are  in 
arms.  Many  of  them  will  return  no  more.  They  who  do  come 
back  are  to  tone  and  shape  society,  for  at  least  two  generations.  For 
not  a  few  of  them  would  be  men  of  mark  at  any  time.  And  for  the 
rest,  with  three  to  five  years  of  momentous  living,  few  will  •  return  to 
be  ordinary  men.  And  then  we  must  remember  that  in  coming 
years,  as  never  before,  the  prestige  of  life  in  the  field  is  to  give  in  flu- 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  201 

ence  among  the  American  people.  Thus  the  future  as  well  as  the 
present  is  in  the  hands  of  the  Army.  Now  these  young  men  are  in 
a  condition  at  once  very  perilous  and  very  hopeful.  Dear  brethren, 
do  they  not  claim  at  our  hands  a  large  increase  of  interest  and  of 
effort  ? 

Two  opposite  accounts  come  from  the  army.  Ons  is  of  increased 
recklessness,  the  other  of  peculiar  susceptibility  to  religious  influence. 
Both  are  true.  The  first  feeling  of  a  recruit  is  freedom  from  re- 
straint. He  is  a  soldier  now, — not  a  citizen,  nor  a  son,  nor  a  father, 
nor  even  a  man, — but  a  soldier.  He  becomes  reckless,  wicked. 
But,  after  a  few  months  in  the  field,  amid  its  narrow  escapes,  the 
graves  of  his  comrades,  its  wounds  and  sickness,  not  unfrequently  in 
utter  disgust  at  the  extreme  wickedness  of  others,  he  begins  to  feel 
his  loss  of  character,  and  to  hunger  and  thirst  for  something  better. 
Speak  kindly  to  that  man,  of  Christ  and  of  eternity,  bring  him  in 
at  a  soldier's  prayer-meeting,  and  none  so  eager  as  he  to  listen,  or  so 
ready  to  obey. 

Thus  it  has  come  to  pass,  that  the  character  of  many  of  our  older 
regiments  has  become  wonderfully  changed  for  the  better,  as  years 
have  passed  on.  The  men  have  yielded  to  wise  and  happy  Christian 
influences.  Those  have  become  humble  followers  of  Christ  who 
scarcely  ever  entered  the  sanctuary  at  home.  The  infidel  and  the 
scoffer  have  bowed  before  the  cross.  Thus  too  we  have  to  record  the 
remarkable  fact,  that  Christian  effort  the  past  year  has  been  far  more 
fruitful  in  the  camp  than  in  our  own  cities  and  villages.  Still 
strange  contrasts  are  seen  in  the  army,  of  gaming  and  psalm-singing, 
of  prevailing  sin  and  abounding  grace,  of  prayer  and  profaueness, — 
such  profaneness  as  we  never  hear  at  home,  such  prayer  as  the 
churches  know  nothing  of.  In  the  army  there  is  such  faithful,  fear- 
less piety,  as  we  can  scarcely  find  in  the  world  beside.  The  truth  is, 
virtue  there  has  its  hot-bed  as  well  as  vice.  One  campaign  is  an 
ordinary  life-time.  In  such  circumstances  character,  good  or  bad, 
matures  with  wonderful  rapidity.  It  is  as  when  lava  is  pouring  from 
the  bosom  of  the  volcano.  In  an  hour  it  takes  form,  not  to  be 
changed  till  the  heavens  are  no  more.  Thus  the  army  is  not  only 
the  hope  of  the  nation,  it  is  also  the  field  of  destiny  to  hundreds  of 
thousands,  and,  as  suggested  already,  in  no  small  degree  of  the 
country  itself. 


202  ANNALS    OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

How  important,  then,  at  this  hour,  the  work  that  we  have  to  do 
for  the  soldier,  and  how  full  of  hope.  In  the  words  of  one  a  few 
weeks  since  in  camp:  "The  army  has  become  a  missionary  field 
of  the  most  extraordinary  character  the  world  has  seen.  Nothing 
is  like  it  or  has  been  like  it  in  the  world.  The  Church  has  a 
work  to  do  in  respect  to  this  which  she  does  not  half  appreciate. 
She  must  awake  to  far  more  earnest  effort,  far  more  efficient  co- 
operation than  she  has  yet  rendered.  The  incentives  to  action  are 
the  strongest  that  can  be  presented, — the  salvation  of  multitudes 
who  could  never  be  reached  before,  of  multitudes  who  can  never  be 
reached  again,  a  wise  care  for  the  vast  interests  of  the  future  depend- 
ing on  the  spiritual  condition  of  the  returning  troops.  Shall  they 
come  back  to  be  a  blessing  or  a  curse? — as  soldiers  usually  come,  or 
as  Cromwell's  did,  to  be  foremost  in  every  good  enterprise?" 

Our  work  for  the  soldier  is  urgent  too.  It  must  be  done  quickly, 
if  at  all.  It  cannot  be  deferred.  Soon  he  will  lie  on  "his  gory  bed," 
or  he  will  be  a  soldier  no  more.  We  can  toil  for  him  to-day.  To- 
morrow it  will  be  too  late. 

And,  dear  brethren,  let  us  never  forget,  that  the  soldier's  claims 
on  us  are  high,  and  peculiar.  Certainly  we  must  not  neglect  or 
undervalue  any  other  field  of  Christian  enterprise.  We  must  not 
relax  our  endeavors  in  behalf  of  the  Christless  at  home  and  abroad, 
the  Catholic,  the  freedman,  or  the  slave.  Still,  we  say  that  the 
claims  of  the  defender  of  our  country  are  high  and  peculiar.  They 
far  outrun  every  other  of  humanity,  of  brotherhood,  of  Christian 
philanthropy.  We  owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude,  which  many  lightly 
appreciate,  but  which  we  can  never  pay.  His  body  is  the  ram- 
part which  holds  back  the  deluge  of  war  from  our  homes.  His 
valor  makes  possible  this  peaceful  life  in  our  communities.  All  we 
have  his  valor  makes  our  own.  And,  oh,  at  how  stern  a  sacrifice ! 
Every  endurance  on  the  field  and  in  the  hospital,  every  torture  in 
the  rebel  prison,  life  itself, — this  is  the  cost  to  him.  The  man  who 
dies .  for  us  !  Can  the  claims  of  any  other  be  compared  with  his  ? 
Passing  in  a  moment  away,  shedding  his  blood  for  us,  are  we  not 
solemnly  bound,  if  we  can,  to  make  it  sure  that  for  the  soldier  the 
precious  blood  of  Jesus  shall  avail  in  the  last  solemn  day  ? 

As  thoughtfully  we  weigh  all  these  considerations,  is  it  not  plain 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  203 

that  care  for  the  soldiers, — for  all  the  defenders  of  our  country, 
whether  by  sea  or  land, — is  the  duty  of  the  present  hour? 

And  how  is  it  to  be  done?  Through  every  instrument,  every 
agency  God  has  put  into  our  hand. 

Let  faithful  chaplains  know,  and  let  their  regiments  be  made  to 
feel,  that  the  chaplain  is  the  representative  to  them  of  the  piety  and 
sympathy  of  the  churches.  Let  choice  reading  for  gratuitous  distri- 
bution, be  furnished  with  overflowing  liberality,  so  that  the  hungry 
soldier  shall  never  ask  in  vain  for  the  bread  of  life.  Let  every  fol- 
lower of  Christ  faithfully  observe  the  concert  of  prayer  for  the 
country,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  evening  in  every  month.  And 
thence  for  the  soldier  let  such  fervent  petitions  rise  as  God  will  not 
disregard.  There  and  everywhere,  let  there  be  such  earnest  interest 
in  the  soldier's  welfare  as  shall  show  our  gratitude  to  him  and  to 
God  for  what  he  has  done, — our  deep  concern  in  what  still  he  has 
to  do. 

Many  young  men  in  the  army  are  gone  from  our  churches  and 
congregations.  As  individuals  let  these  be  warmly  remembered  by 
ministers  and  Christian  friends.  They  are  out  of  sight,  they  wander 
in  out-lying  pastures,  yet  still  they  are  of  the  flock  and  the  fold. 
Do  they  not  need,  may  they  not  claim,  special  interest  and  special 
care  of  those  beside  the  still  waters  at  home?  Many  of  our  Chris- 
tian brethren  have  been  absent  for  years.  Could  anything  be  more 
proper,  more  salutary  in  itself,  more  grateful  to  the  heart  of  the 
war-worn  veteran,  than  words  of  Christian  counsel  and  cheer  and 
affection  addressed  to  him  personally  by  his  pastor,  by  the  church 
to  which  he  belongs?  Where  is  the  church  that  has  done  its 
whole  duty  in  respect  to  those  dear  absent  brethren, — its  fighting 
members? 

The  Christian  Commission  is  an  instrumentality  born  of  the  times 
and  already  sealed  of  God.  It  is  the  indispensable  complement  of 
every  other  agency.  It  cheers  the  chaplain.  It  aids  him  in  giving 
the  Word  of  God  to  those  longing  for  intellectual  and  spiritual  food. 
It  carries  the  prayers  and  alms,  the  piety  and  the  solicitudes  of  the 
sanctuary  and  fireside,  every  comfort  in  its  power,  to  bring  directly 
to  our  sons  and  brothers  in  camp  and  hospital,  on  picket-post  and 
in  line  of  battle.  To  men  gathered  in  groups  its  Delegate  brings 
a  fresh  invoice  of  home  religion.  His  sympathies  are  warm  and 


204  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

gushing,  and  he  speaks  of  Jesus  and  danger  and  duty  as  no  other 
man  can  speak.  His  words  are  re-enforced  by  the  most  tender 
associations,  and  they  awaken  memories  that  keep  up  the  sermon 
long  after  preaching  is  over  and  the  camp-fires  are  gone  out.  Won- 
derfully have  these  efforts  been  blessed  of  God.  Chapel  tents  and 
shady  groves  in  Virginia,  Tennessee,  and  Georgia,  have  witnessed 
revival  scenes  unknown  before  even  in  this  land  of  revivals. 

The  Delegates  say,  on  reaching  their  field,  "  I  had  no  conception 
of  the  blessedness  of  this  work  ;"  "  The  churches  do  not  understand 
it ;"  "  It  is  apostolic ;"  "  I  feel  as  if  I  were  treading  closer  in  the 
Master's  footsteps  than  ever  before ;"  "  I  have  been  thinking  all  day 
of  that  judgment  welcome,  '  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of 
the  least  of  these,  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me.' " 

So  Delegates  speak.  And  the  permanent  agents,  who  have  been 
toiling  in  the  field  from  the  beginning,  are  amazed  that  the  churches 
do  not  wake  up  to  their  duty  and  their  opportunity.  Thanks  be  to 
God  for  what  has  been  achieved.  But  the  whole  army  has  not  been 
reached  ;  far  from  it.  Wickedness  abounds.  In  multitudes  still, 
officers  and  men  are  becoming  more  hardened  and  reckless.  To 
many  old  regiments  the  bread  of  life  has  not  been  offered.  Ten  new 
ones  a  week  are  going  into  the  field.  Thousands  of  men  are  falling 
every  day.  What  we  do  for  the  soldiers  must  be  done  quickly,  now. 

Brethren,  sustain  the  Christian  Commission.  Give  it  the  largest 
possible  efficiency.  It  is  one  of  the  best  organized,  the  most  economi- 
cal, the  most  needed,  the  most  successful  agencies  that  ever  cheered 
the  heart  of  benevolence,  or  brought  relief  to  man's  temporal  or 
spiritual  necessities.  .Give  it  a  large  place  in  your  heart  and  in  your 
contributions.  Let  its  treasury  overflow  till  its  work  is  done.  If 
possible,  send  your  pastor  as  a  Delegate,  and  fill  his  hands  with  gifts 
for  the  soldiers,  your  token  of  love  and  gratitude  to  men  who  are  en- 
during and  perilling  everything  for  you.  His  short  absence,  amid 
the  appalling  scenes  of  war,  will  prove  a  blessing  to  him  and  to  the 
flock  to  which  he  ministers.  May  be,  as  others  have  done,  he  will 
bring  back  from  the  army  the  spirit  of  revival,  the  richest  gift  of 
Heaven,  to  the  people  of  his  charge. 

Dear  brethren,  by  our  faith  in  God  the  issue  of  this  struggle  is  not 
doubtful.  It  seems  now  not  far  distant.  But  whether  distant  or  not, 
amid  the  fearful  scenes  that  yet  must  come,  by  every  means  in  our 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  205 

hand,  let  us  be  faithful  to  the  soldier.  With  God's  blessing,  these 
noble  men  shall  give  us  back  our  country,  with  all  its  affluence  of 
good.  They  shall  rid  our  land  of  the  curse  of  centuries,  and  establish 
universal  freedom.  They  shall  make  the  American  name  a  praise  and 
a  blessing  in  all  the  earth.  They  shall  send  down  the  wise  and  happy 
institutions  of  the  fathers  to  the  remotest  times.  Dear  brethren,  when 
this  fearful  contest  is  over,  and  multitudes  have  returned  to  share 
with  us.  the  fruits  of  their  valor, — while  other  multitudes  sleep  in  the 
shadow  of  the  mountain  and  the  forest,  beside  the  hamlet  and  the 
river  which  their  heroic  deeds  have  made  immortal, — may  we  be 
happy  in  the  consciousness  that,  as  in  the  eye  of  God,  we  have  been 
faithful  to  them  in  every  tender  human  solicitude,  every  earnest 
endeavor  for  their  eternal  welfare  and  the  Master's  honor.1 

The  second  document  referred  to  was  addressed  to  the 
Christian  Commission  by  a  surgeon  attached  to  the  Head- 

1  Similar  expressions  of  confidence  in  the  Christian  Commission,  and  similar 
appeals  in  its  behalf,  might  be  cited  from  the  action  of  all  the  evangelical 
denominations  in  the  loyal  States.  Not  to  multiply  these  testimonials,  one 
will  be  given  as  representative  of  all.  The  following  minute  was  passed  by 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Old  School,  at  its  session 
for  1864,  in  Newark,  New  Jersey :  —  "  This  General  Assembly  would  ex- 
press their  full  confidence  in  the  United  States  Christian  Commission;  their 
earnest  sympathy  in  and  unqualified  approbation  of  the  great  and  noble  objects 
it  has  in  view,  their  high  admiration  of  the  heroism  which  has  been  manifested 
by  its  officers,  agents,  and  Delegates,  through  much  self-sacrificing  devotion  to 
the  physical  and  spiritual  wants  of  our  armies  and  navy,  in  the  camp,  on  the 
march,  on  battle-fields,  and  in  hospitals;  their  praise  of  the  economy  and 
extraordinary  efficiency  with  which  its  vast  and  widely -extended  operations  have 
been  conducted;  and  their  gratitude  to  God  for  the  success  which,  through  his 
blessing,  has  attended  its  efforts.  While  the  General  Assembly  has  nothing  to 
say,  except  in  terms  of  cordial  approval,  of  all  properly  conducted  organized 
benevolent  enterprises  in  behalf  of  the  noble  and  often  suffering  men,  who  on 
land  and  sea  are  defending  our  national  liberties,  integrity,  and  honor,  against 
a  powerful  and  atrociously  wicked  rebellion,  but  would  bid  all  such  Godspeed,— 
for,  alas !  there  is  work  enough  for  all,  —  they  would,  and  hereby  do,  in  a  special 
manner,  commend  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  to  the  liberal  sup- 
port and  encouragement  of  all  their  churches  and  congregations,  and  of  all  the 
individuals  and  families  comprising  them,  and  invite  their  warm  co-operation 
with  it.  Having  the  entire  confidence  and  favor  of  the  government,  and  of  the 


200  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

quarters  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  attracted,  as 
it  deserved,  great  attention,  from  the  official  position  of 
the  writer  and  from  his  impressive  and  earnest  plea  for 
the  gospel:  — 

It  has  never  been  my  pleasure  to  have  the  opportunity  of  listening 
to  the  claims  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission,  as  presented 
by  any  of  its  agents.  Almost  constant  field  service  during  the  war, 
has  precluded  the  possibility  of  my  becoming  acquainted  with  the 
feelings  of  Christians  North  towards  the  Commission.  How  do  you 
estimate  the  importance  of  its  operation  ?  If  the  results  of  its  work 
have  been  communicated,  very  great  interest  must  have  been  excited 
therein. 

I  fear,  however,  that  the  sympathy  of  the  churches  in  the  workings 
of  the  Commission  is  not  proportionate  to  the  interest  they  may  feel 
in  the  result  of  its  labors.  I  am  led  to  infer  this  from  the  fact,  as  I 
have  learned,  that  it  is  very  difficult  to  secure,  not  money,  but  the 
services  of  the  right  kind  of  preachers,  for  the  most  limited  period 
prescribed  by  the  regulations  of  the  Commission.  What  is  the  rea- 
son of  this  ?  One  might  inquire  if  it  be  from  lack  of  patriotism ;  but, 

military  authorities  throughout  the  land  ;  having  unsurpassed,  if  equalled, 
facilities  for  the  conveyance  and  application  of  the  benefactions  of  a  freely-offer- 
ing people  to  those  for  whom  they  are  designed  ;  and,  as  its  chief  excellence, 
entitling  it  to  the  high  regard  of  Christians,  having  as  its  eminent  aim  and 
effort  to  care  for  the  souls  of  our  soldiers  and  sailors,  both  officers  and  privates, 
supplying  them  with  religious  reading,  preaching  to  them  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
with  untiring  love  watching  and  praying  by  and  with  the  suffering  and  dying, 
and  directing  them  to  the  blood  which  cleanses  from  all  sin ;  while  it  is  not 
behind  any  other  association  in  the  zeal  and  energy  with  which  it  seeks  to  re- 
lieve the  physical  wants  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  the  wearied  and  naked  and 
hungry;  —  we  invite  all  to  make  to  it  and  through  it  liberal  donations  of 
money  and  sanitary  stores  and  religious  books  and  tracts.  And  we  would 
urgently  ask  that  large  donations  be  made  speedily,  for  the  need  of  them  is  im- 
mediately great  and  pressing.  Tens  of  thousands  of  the  sick  and  wounded  are 
now  in  the  hospitals,  and  must  not  be  left  to  any  suffering  which  human  means 
can  relieve  or  prevent.  And  mighty  battles  are  yet  probably  to  be  fought,  and 
other  thousands  will  have  to  be  ministered  unto.  Let  liberal  offerings  be  made 
at  once,  to  be  followed  frequently  by  others  still,  as  long  as  this  war  shall  keep 
in  the  field  our  sons,  husbands,  and  brothers,  and  friends,  and  countrymen." 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  207 

whenever  I  have  been  North,  I  have  found  my  Christian  friends 
there  especially  anxious  that  this  war  should  be  fought  out  to  the 
bitter  end.  In  every  prayer-meeting  I  heard  most  earnest  prayers 
offered  for  the  efficiency  of  our  armies,  for  the  spiritual  as  well  as 
the  temporal  good  of  the  soldiers, — especially  for  the  sick  and 
wounded  of  their  number.  Is  not  this  patriotic  ?  Is  it  not  very  kind 
that  the  soldier  should  be  thus  remembered  ?  Then  look  at  the  dona- 
tions that  are  made  to  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commissions.  Are 
they  not  magnificent  specimens  of  beneficence?  It  would  seem  so. 
All  these  are  certainly  most  commendable,  and  were  the  like  done  in 
behalf  of  any  other  cause  it  would  be  marvellously  virtuous.  But 
in  this  case,  suppose  all  should  pray  for  the  country,  make  donations, 
and  hope  that  the  war  would  be  vigorously  prosecuted,  and  do  nothing 
more.  If  that  would  do  the  work,  how  gladly  would  our  brave  sol- 
diers do  all  this  over  and  over  again,  in  lieu  of  the  terrible  hardships 
and  exposures  of  their  present  life,  nor  think  themselves  either  patri- 
otic or  benevolent. 

In  order  to  maintain  this  great  and  holy  struggle,  it  is  necessary 
that  a  certain  aggregate  number  of  citizens  shall  be  in  the  field, 
denying  themselves  of  all  that  is  desirable  hi  life  while  they  live, 
and  ready  in  any  moment  to  sacrifice  that  for  which  a  man  will  give 
all  that  he  hath.  It  would  be  very  difficult  to  select  those  who, 
more  than  some  others,  ought  to  make  this  sacrifice.  My  country  is 
equally  your  country,  and  your  country  is  equally  my  country.  The 
object  for  which  we  are  fighting  is  equally  dear  to  each,  and  is 
common  to  all.  Every  citizen  owes,  if  need  be,  his  life  to  his  coun- 
try. If,  to  avert  from  all  a  general  danger,  certain  particular  citi- 
zens nobly  volunteer  their  services  and  their  lives  on  the  battlefield, 
would  you  call  it  benevolence  when  some  of  the  rest,  who  are  to 
share  equally  the  reward  won  by  the  heroic  few,  donate  a  few  dollars 
to  relieve  the  hardships  of  their  brave  defenders  ?  Do  they  not  otoe 
everything  they  have,  even  to  their  very  lives,  to  those  who  are 
fighting  their  battles,  though  under  no  more  obligation  to  do  so  than 
their  fellow-citizens,  who  practically  have  not  sacrificed  one  accus- 
tomed luxury  for  their  country's  good  ?  Are  not  all  citizens,  and 
especially  Christian  citizens,  not  in  the  army,  under  the  deepest 
obligations,  demanded  alike  by  common  gratitude  and  justice,  to 
contribute  all  that  may  be  expedient  to  promote  the  benefit  of  those 


208  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

noble  men  who  soon  may  lie  heavily  and  cold  on  the  bloody  field, 
for  them  ?  And  yet  there  are  some  very  patriotic  churches  which 
"  don't  feel  able  to  spare  our  pastor,  to  preach  to  the  soldiers  in  the 
army,  for  more  than  two  weeks  at  most,"  although  meanwhile  good 
supplies  might  be  obtained  to  preach  quite  as  usefully  at  home. 
The  cushioned  seats  would  remain  quite  as  soft,  and  the  temperature 
of  the  building  would  be  just  as  nicely  regulated,  as  if  the  pastor 
preached  in  his  accustomed  place. 

Not  a  week  ago  I  heard  a  Christian  soldier  state,  in  one  of  our 
camp  prayer-meetings,"!  have  been  in  the  army  three  years,  and 
this  is  the  first  privilege  of  this  kind  that  I  have  enjoyed."  All  this 
time  the  brethren  of  his  own  church  had  not  been  deprived  of  a  single 
service  in  consequence  of  the  war.  They  had,  indeed,  prayed  for 
their  brethren  in  the  army,  but  did  not  feel  able  to  spare  their  pastor 
to  go  and  preach  to  their  Brethren  in  the  army,  though  they  were 
spiritually  starving  and  dying  in  defence  of  the  religious  luxuries 
of  those  staying  at  home.  I  am  sure  it  is  only  necessary  for  the 
churches  at  home  to  get  a  correct  view  of  the  facts,  to  secure  the 
most  prompt  and  unreserved  co-operation  with  the  Commission  in 
every  particular. 

Having  held  official  positions  in  the  field,  both  East  and  West, 
which  allowed  of  very  extensive  observation,  and  having  never  in 
any  way  been  connected  with  the  Commission,  my  opinions  concern- 
ing it  are  perfectly  independent ;  they  are  presented  on  my  own 
responsibility,  in  the  hope  that  they  may  help  the  churches  to  form  a 
just  appreciation  of  their  duties  and  the  privileges  in  connection 
with  the  work  under  consideration. 

The  advantages  which  the  army  offers  during  the  winter,  as  a 
field  of  Christian  labor,  are  unparalleled.  At  vast  expense  we  send 
missionaries  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  China  and  India,  where,  before 
one  idea  can  be  communicated  to  the  people,  weary  months  must  be 
spent  in  the  study  of  the  language.  After  this  is  partially  acquired, 
through  innumerable  difficulties,  the  missionary  succeeds  in  collect- 
ing perhaps  an  audience,  here  and  there,  of  children,  women,  and 
men,  of  by  no  means  the  most  intelligent  class.  The  good  work  is 
one  eminently  of  faith  and  patience.  The  city  pastor  has  an  audience 
alike  composed  of  different  classes  and  grades,  of  such  variety  that 
on  many  subjects  it  is  difficult  to  address  more  than  a  small  per 


THE    THIRD    YEAR.  209 

centage  of  the  audience  directly  at  the  same  time.  Then  there  are 
many  who  are  too  young,  and  many  others  too  old,  to  afford  much 
probability  of  successful  fruition  of  the  seed,  no  matter  how  earn- 
estly it  may  have  been  scattered.  All,  whether  young  or  old,  and 
of  every  class,  are  more  or  less  pre-occupied  by  the  various  occupa- 
tions and  excitements  of  city  life,  tending  to  preclude  meditation  on 
divine  things.  If  that  pastor  visit  the  army,  as  a  Delegate  of  the 
Christian  Commission,  he  may  go  from  one  end  of  the  line  to  the 
other,  and  throughout  the  entire  army  he  will  find  but  one  style  of 
audience,  and  that  of  the  best  possible  class,  in  this, — it  consists 
almost  exclusively  of  young  men.  They  possess  good  average  intelli- 
gence, are  not  pre-occupied,  are  not  harassed  by  family  cares,  they 
are  provided  for,  they  have  simply  to  obey  orders  when  they  come, 
and  in  the  interim  have  to  endure  so  much  wearisome  monotony  that 
many,  who  would  not  take  the  trouble  to  attend  church  when  at 
home,  would  now  gladly  listen  to  anything  or  anybody. 

The  soldier's  life,  though  not  favorable  for  reading,  is  very  con- 
ducive to  reflection.  The  drum  beats,  and  he  awakes  or  gets  hia 
rations  or  goes  to  bed,  as  the  case  may  be,  until  it  beats  again. 
Without  need  for  further  thought  or  care,  he  is  (in  winter  quarters) 
"  as  if  he  were  a  boy  again."  His  life  is  thus  favorable  both  to 
attention  and  reflection.  Of  similar  age,  with  common  pursuits  and 
dangers,  the  soldiers  have  common  tastes  and  feelings.  What  is 
adapted  to  one  suits  all.  The  soldiers  are  willing  to  hear  the  truth. 
I  have  never  attended  a  meeting  held  by  the  Christian  Commission 
that  was  only  half  full.  As  a  rule  they  are  overflowing,  even  where 
they  are  held  every  evening  in  the  week.  It  seems  impossible  to 
have  meetings  conducted  in  the  uniform  style  so  common  in  the 
churches  North.  Always,  after  the  first  few  meetings,  a  spirit  of 
deep  interest  is  awakened,  taking  on  the  character  of  what  is  termed 
a  revival.  This,  I  think,  is  attributable  to  the  fact  that  the  majority 
of  our  soldiers  have  once  been  under  the  influence  of  Sabbath- 
schools  or  Christian  homes,  so  that  the  buried  seed  has  only  to  be  a 
little  watered  and  it  springs  up  with  a  freshness  that  is  truly  reviv- 
ing to  witness.  It  matters  not  how  profane  and  irreverent  they  may 
have  become,  with  the  soldier  as  with  the  sailor,  the  memories  of 
home  and  the  Sabbath-school  are  very  sacred,  and  even  though 
nothing  that  is  said  may  in  itself  interest  them,  there  is  always  one 

27 


210  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

certain  clue, — let  something  be  said  which  shall  awaken  their  early 
associations,  and  their  feelings  are  immediately  enlisted.  They  will 
never  "  go  back,"  as  they  term  it,  on  their  "  bringing  up."  At  home, 
should  they  be  addressed  on  the  uncertainty  of  life,  youth  and  grow- 
ing strength  form  a  never-failing  shield  on  which  these  admonitions 
are  received  ;  but  here,  touch  that  point  ever  so  delicately,  and  every 
word  brings  up  visions  of  dead  comrades  and  hair-breadth  escapes, 
to  supersede  any  argument  on  that  question.  Death  is  to  them  as 
much  a  reality  as  life. 

The  condition  of  the  soldier  exhibits  an  advantage  for  the  recep- 
tion of  truth,  like  to  that  which  grows  out  of  bereavement.  So  long 
has  he  been  absent  from  those  he  loves  he  begins  to  think  of  them 
with  those  who  were  dead  long  ago ;  and  as  at  midnight  hour, 
beneath  the  silent  stars,  he  keeps  his  lonely  watch,  he  comes,  more 
than  other  men,  to  feel  the  want  of  something  to  love.  In  this 
yearning  mood  the  soul  is  very  apt  to  feel  after  God.  Many  facts 
have  I  met  with  of  soldiers  coming  off  picket  much  wiser  and  much 
happier  than  when  they  went  on.  How,  then,  is  it  we  have  been 
accustomed  to  consider  the  life  of  the  soldier  so  conducive  to  profli- 
gacy ?  Because  it  is  so.  When  the  tide  of  feeling,  rising  in  the 
soldier's  breast,  is  not  taken  at  the  flood  by  kind  counsel  and  Chris- 
tian sympathy,  it  bursts  in  scattered  foam  and  dissipation.  When 
reflection  but  starts  accusing  voices,  its  spell  must  be  broken  by  loud 
oaths,  the  troubled  spirit  must  be  soothed  by  drink.  Therefore  is  it 
that  most  urgent  efforts  should  be  made  to  surround  the  soldier  with 
every  possible  religious  influence,  seeing  he  is  so  easily  saved  from  so 
much.  In  the  absence  of  these  privileges,  the  men  are,  week  after 
week,  and  perhaps  month  after  month,  lying  crowded  in  winter  quar- 
ters, the  intolerable  ennui  relieved  only  by  a  mutual  exchange  of  all 
the  filthy  garbage  that  the  vilest  may  have  scraped  from  the  filthiest 
kennels  of  human  depravity.  The  fearful  corruption  thus  engen- 
dered is  truly  appalling,  rendering  the  atmosphere  too  often  totally 
fatal  to  the  last  spark  of  youthful  virtue. 

If  the  Christian  Commission  fail  to  do  the  work  it  contemplates 
it  will  be  left  undone.  During  the  winter  it  is  impossible  to  have 
religious  services  in  the  open  air.  Yet  there  is  not  a  tent  in  the 
Government  service,  to  my  knowledge,  provided  for  this  purpose.  I 
cannot  conceive  of  anything  in  which  a  benevolent  Christian  can 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  211 

make  such  a  good  investment  for  Christ  as  in  the  presentation  of  a 
chapel  tent  to  the  army.  I  have  never  seen  one  in  use  anywhere 
but  it  became,  not  only  the  occasion  of  deep  awakening,  but  also 
inevitably  a  centre  round  which,  in  various  camps  adjoining,  a  work 
of  grace  would  commence.  Besides  one  or  two  at  each  corps  hos- 
pital, there  should  be  one  for  every  brigade  in  the  army.  There  is 
no  other  source,  except  the  Commission,  through  which  reading  of 
any  kind,  except  daily  news,  will  reach  the  soldier.  In  no  other 
way  but  by  an  organization  of  this  kind,  recognized  by  the  churches 
and  by  the  Government,  can  chapels,  Christian  laborers,  and  reli- 
gious reading,  be  provided  in  any  measure ;  as  under  no  other  cir- 
cumstances could  the  necessary  transportation,  passes,  and  mail 
facilities  be  obtained. 

Are  there  not  chaplains  commissioned  on  purpose  to  do  this 
work?  Yes,  but  with  some  of  the  regiments  only.  In  the  Fifth 
Corps,  which  I  suppose  is  as  well  supplied  as  any  in  the  army, 
there  are  to-day  thirty-seven  regiments  which  have  no  chap- 
lain. Then,  as  in  every  other  corps,  there  is  a  brigade  of  artillery, 
there  are  independent  batteries,  division  field  hospitals,  ambulance 
trains,  wagon  trains,  and  all  the  various  headquarters,  none  of  which 
are  allowed  chaplains  at  any  time.  For  all  this  work  there  are  only 
six  Delegates  and  two  chapel  tents.  Besides,  supposing  there  was  a 
superfluity  of  chaplains,  what  could  they  do,  comparatively,  without 
chapels,  books,  tracts,  etc.?  In  the  Second  Corps  there  are  to-day 
thirty-eight  regiments  without  chaplains;  besides  all  these,  the 
separate  commands  in  it  detailed  above.  With  this  corps  there  are 
now  but  three  working  Delegates.  All  the  regular  troops  that  have 
been  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  with  the  exception  of  one  regi- 
ment, have  been  totally  without  chaplains,  even  to  bury  their  dead, 
and  within  a  hundred  miles  of  Washington  have  been  less  cared  for 
than  the  recognized  heathen.  There  is  a  base  hospital  near  City 
Point  for  many  thousand  patients.  Shall  that  be  supplied  with 
chaplains,  by  transferring  them  from  the  few  regiments  which  have 
them  ?  So  far  as  the  magnitude  of  the  operations  of  the  Commis- 
sion is  concerned,  it  would  seem  that  the  presence  or  absence  of  a 
few  chaplains,  more  or  less,  should  scarcely  be  taken  into  account. 

The  Delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission  has  many  a«lv:int:iLr«-s. 
He  is  subject  to  no  restrictions,  except  those  made  in  the  division  of 


212  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  labor  by  the  Commission.  If  he  is  not  well  received  in  one 
place,  he  can  walk  a  few  steps  further  on  to  another  camp.  A  mis- 
sionary in  Pekin  would  meet  with  about  as  much  limitation.  He 
has  no  military  orders  to  give  or  to  obey.  He  is  understood  to  be 
working  for  the  good  of  the  soldier,  not  for  pay ;  this  is  a  free  pass 
to  the  soldier's  heart.  He  comes  full  of  fresh  enthusiasm,  which  is 
exceedingly  refreshing  and  encouraging,  especially  to  the  sick  soldier. 
It  does  him  good  to  see  the  clean,  smiling  face  of  a  civilian,  and  he 
likes  to  tell  him  of  his  many  adventures;  it  seems  so  neighborly. 
Then  comes  the  mutual  sympathy,  followed  by  the  gracious  word 
dropped  into  the  open  heart  of  the  grateful  soldier,  who  is  made 
'happier  for  the  coming  week  by  the  friendly  interview.  If  the 
Delegate  happen  to  come  from  the  same  county  as  some  of  the  men, 
they  feel  just  like  school-boys  when  visited  by  a  relative  from  their 
distant  home.  The  effect  is  more  cheering  than  any  grown-up  people 
at  home  well  understand. 

The  kind  of  Delegates  most  needed  are  not  good  readers  of  ser- 
mons. The  real,  main  work  of  the  Commission  must  be  done  by 
steady,  hard-working,  faithful  Christian  men.  The  most  desirable 
combination,  for  a  good  Delegate,  would  be  a  happy  faculty  of  ex- 
temporaneous discourse  with  cheerful  conversational  qualities.  There 
are  in  the  army  a  large  number  of  officers  and  men  of  very  high 
intelligence,  who,  prior  to  entering  the  service,  were  accustomed  to 
the  best  pulpit  talent  in  the  country.  For  three  or  four  years  they 
have  heard  but  a  few  occasional  sermons,  and  would  seem  to  receive 
new  life  could  they  but  hear  once  more  the  inspiring  words  of  their 
old  pastor.  Why  cannot  the  best  men  in  the  country  visit  the  army 
occasionally,  and  encourage  the  brave  men  in  the  performance  of 
those  duties  they  once  urged  them  to  undertake?  Are  they  not 
deserving  of  it  ?  Would  our  comfortable  brethren  at  home  be  thus 
making  a  greater  sacrifice  for  us  than  we  are  making  for  them  ?  It 
is  very  desirable  that  our  Christian  brethren,  who  are  eager  for 
young  men  to  enter  the  army,  should,  as  far  as  possible,  share  their 
burdens  after  they  are  in  it,  and  thus  in  our  common  cause  manifest 
a  common  sympathy  of  Christian  patriotism. 

The  church  which  sends  its  pastor  to  the  army  as  a  Delegate  will 
not  lose  anything.  The  advantage  is  a  mutual  one.  The  change  is 
often  very  beneficial  to  the  health  of  the  Delegate.  It  opens  to  him 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  213 

a  new  world,  enlarges  his  knowledge  of  men,  of  a  thousand  things 
which  he  failed  before  to  comprehend,  furnishes  him  with  a  new  field 
for  illustration,  and  quickens  his  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  men.  He 
preaches  over  graves  here,  and  he  feels  that  men  are  mortal.  He 
exhorts  men  daily  to  come  here  to  die,  and  they  sit  before  him  in 
their  grave-clothes.  The  prayer-meetings  in  the  army  are  not  tame, 
formal,  weakly  meetings ;  they  are  as  real  as  life  and  death  for  sin- 
cerity and  earnestness.  I  can  compare  them  only  to  the  old  Fulton 
street  daily  prayer-meetings  during  the  great  revival,  and  they  must 
contribute  to  the  benefit  of  the  pastor  as  well  as  of  the  soldier.  The 
Holy  Spirit  seems  to  be  secretly  working,  in  anticipation  of  the 
co-operation  of  God's  servants.  Both  at  City  Point  and  nearer  the 
front  sinners  are  coming  to  Christ,  not  like  stray  sheep  but  as  doves 
flocking  to  their  windows.  During  the  ensuing  winter  the  field  will 
be  fully  available ;  it  seems  ripe  for  the  harvest,  and  waiting  only 
for  the  church  to  thrust  in  the  sickle.  From  what  I  have  seen,  I 
think  there  is  a  universal  eagerness  for  religious  truth  in  the  army 
which  is  beyond  all  precedent.  This  is  a  work  which  demands  no 
mean  offering.  It  deserves  not  only  the  money  of  the  church,  but  a 
liberal  contribution  of  its  best  talent  and  of  its  mo?  faithful  pastors, 
as  the  demands  of  the  Commission  may  require. 

B.  H.,  U.  S.  A. 

HEADQUARTERS,  ARMY  POTOMAC,  November  21,  1864. 

The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Commission  was  held  in 
Washington  City.  The  business  sessions  were  in  the 
house  of  the  E  Street  Baptist  Church,  beginning  on 
Thursday,  January  26, 1865,  and  continuing  three  days. 
There  were  present  nineteen  members  of  the  Commis- 
sion, including  eight  of  the  Executive  Committee;  nine- 
teen Branch  Commissions  were  represented ;  and  a 
number  of  the  Permanent  Agents  at  home  and  in  the 
army  were  present.  The  operations  of  the  previous 
year  were  reviewed ;  the  action  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee in  the  enlargement  of  the  Commission,  as  well  as 
in  the  general  management  of  affairs,  was  approved;  the 
Annual  Report,  with  its  statistical  exhibits,  was  pre- 


214  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

sented ;  congratulations  were  interchanged  and  solemn 
thanks  rendered  to  God,  that  in  the  midst  of  the  terrible 
scenes  of  civil  war  so  much  had  been  done  to  mitigate 
its  horrors  and  temper  its  severity ;  sentiments  of  Chris- 
tian brotherhood  were  strengthened,  and  pledges  of 
earnest  co-operation  renewed, — the  unanimous  purpose 
being  to  hold  the  Commission  steadily  to  the  object  of 
its  origin,  until  the  country  should  cease  to  need  its  help. 
The  soldiers  in  the  neighborhood  were  visited,  at  their 
camps  and  posts,  and  religious  services  held  among 
them.  The  President  was  waited  upon  by  the  Commis- 
sion and  their  friends,  in  a  body,  and  interviews  were 
also  had  with  the  several  heads  of  departments  and 
other  officials.  The  visit  to  the  President  was  so  strik- 
ing in  itself,  and  became  invested  with  such  peculiar 
interest,  because  of  the  calamity  that  soon  afterward 
followed  in  the  assassination  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  that  it 
deserves  a  more  extended  reference.  The  subjoined 
account,  by  one  of  the  party,  was  published  in  The 
National  Baptist,  of  Philadelphia,  August  31,  1865. 
It  is  a  fair  representation,  in  terms  and  spirit,  of  the 
memorable  event:  — 

The  United  States  Christian  Commission  met  in  Washington  City 
for  its  third  annual  business  meeting,  on  Thursday,  January  26, 1865. 
President  Lincoln  had  ever  been  so  kind  to  the  Commission,  officially 
and  personally,  that  the  desire  was  natural  to  wait  upon  him  in  a 
body.  This  desire  was  early  made  known  to  him,  and  he  designated 
the  next  day,  Friday,  at  half-past  ten'  o'clock,  A.  M.,  as  the  time  when 
he  would  receive  us.  At  the  appointed  hour  about  one  hundred 
Christian  men,  from  all  parts  of  the  North,  representatives  of  the 
patriotism  and  benevolence  by  which  the  national  cause  was  main- 
tained at  home  and  the  national  armies  succored  in  the  field,  Avere 
gathered  in  the  East  Room  of  the  Executive  Mansion.  Several 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  215 

ladies  were  of  the  party,  and  a  few  persons  were  present  not  connected 
with  the  Commission.  We  were  arranged  along  the  length  of  the 
room,  forming  a  semi-ellipse,  and  fronting  the  entrance  to  the  Green 
Room.  In  a  few  moments  the  President  entered,  unannounced  and 
unattended,  holding  his  hat  in  his  right  hand.  All  were  impressed 
with  the  republican  simplicity  of  the  scene,  and  felt  that  it  was  a 
fitting  illustration  of  our  American  character  and  institutions.  Mr. 
Lincoln  looked  worn  and  tired.  Not  that  he  appeared  despondent 
or  doubtful  of  the  nation's  advancing  conflict.  His  face  did  not  show 
a  perplexed  anxiety,  nor  an  eager  haste  to  be  free  from  care  and 
trial.  But  the  care  itself  was  furrowing  his  features  and  deepening 
their  peusiveness.  He  was  met  at  the  door  by  the  Chairman  of  the 
Commission,  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  who  introduced  him  in  a  general  way 
to  the  assembly.  In  brief  and  appropriate  language  Mr.  Stuart 
spoke  of  the  work  of  the  Commission,  and  of  the  feelings  of  those 
engaged  in  it  towards  the  national  cause,  its  defenders,  and  its  Chief 
Magistrate.  During  this  address  the  President  stood  with  his  head 
slightly  bowed,  and  with  an  abstracted  air  that  left  his  eyes  lustreless, 
as  though  his  thoughts  were  among  the  imperilled  and  suffering  men 
for  whose  comfort  he  was  ever  ready  to  yield  his  own.  As  he  lifted 
himself  up  to  reply,  his  whole  aspect  changed.  All  his  features 
kindled  into  a  most  genial  and  attractive  expression.  A  pleasant 
smile  overspread  his  face,  and  his  eyes  were  filled  with  a  gentle, 
winning  light.  And  yet  in  every  lineament  was  there  that  trace  of 
pensiveness  which  is  the  crowning  charm  of  an  intelligent  and  benevo- 
lent countenance.  In  his  short  and  characteristic  reply  he  disclaimed 
any  title  to  thanks  for  what  he  had  done  in  furthering  the  work  of 
the  Commission  ;  "  Nor,"  said-  he,  "  do  I  know  that  I  owe  you  any 
thanks  for  what  you  have  done.  We  have  all  been  laboring  for  a 
common  end.  You  feel  grateful  for  what  I  have  done  that  is 
right ;  and  I  certainly  feel  grateful  for  what  you  have  done  that  is 
right ;  and  yet,  in  the  fact  that  we  have  been  laboring  for  the  same 
end,  —  the  preservation  of  ouf  country  and  the  welfare  of  its  de- 
fenders,— has  been  our  motive  and  joy  and  reward." 

The  formal  speeches  concluded,  the  President  proposed  to  take 
each  of  us  by  the  hand.  At  this  point  the  Chairman  of  the  Commis- 
sion suggested  that  as  the  delegation  present  were  not  simply  Chris- 
tian men,  but  representatives  of  a  Christian  association,  wliirh  was 


216  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

itself  the  organ  of  the  Christian  sentiment  of  the  nation,  if  deemed 
appropriate  by  him  and  agreeable  to  his  own  feelings,  it  \vould  be 
gratifying  to  us  to  invoke  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  Chief  Magis- 
trate. The  President  promptly  and  cordially  responded,  that  it  would 
be  agreeable  and  most  fitting,  and  requested  that  prayer  be  offered. 
Bishop  E.  S.  Janes,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  led  in 
prayer.  In  simple  and  fervent  language  he  thanked  God  for  the 
signal  displays  of  his  wisdom  and  love  in  our  national  affairs,  espe- 
cially in  raising  up,  and  sustaining  and  guiding  in  the  events  of  his 
administration,  him  who  was  for  us  a  faithful  and  trusted  leader. 
He  implored  the  choicest  gifts  of  divine  providence  and  grace,  for 
this  and  the  future  life,  upon  him  whom  God  had  most  manifestly 
anointed  for  the  great  trust  and  duty  of  the  hour.  There  were  tear- 
ful eyes  and  swelling  hearts  among  those  who  beheld  and  participated 
in  the  wonderful  scene.  All  felt  themselves  lifted  up  by  emotions 
of  gratitude  to  the  giver  of  every  good  gift, — the  God  of  our  fathers 
and  our  people, — and  by  affection  for  him  upon  whom  we  invoked, 
as  with  one  heart,  the  benedictions  of  the  Almighty  and  Eternal 
Jehovah,  through  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  Although  our  eyes 
were  holden  that  we  could  not  theri  see  it,  yet  this  was  the  church  of 
the  nation  consecrating  the  lamb  for  the  nation's  sacrifice. 

As  we  took  the  President's  \varm  hand  within  our  own,  and  then 
separated  to  our  work,  it  was  with  feelings  of  strengthened  confidence 
in  God,  and  a  firmer  purpose  to  give  ourselves  in  simplicity  and 
fidelity  and  zeal  to  the  tasks  he  might  appoint.  •  •»•« 

The  Public  Anniversary  of  the  Commission  was  held  on 
Sunday  evening,  January  29,  in  the  Hall  of  the  House 
of  Representatives.  As  before,  it  was  attended  by  a 
throng,  thousands  being  unable  to  find  entrance.  Hon. 
Wm.  H.  Seward,  Secretary  of  State,  presided.  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  and  Mrs.  Lincoln;  Vice-President  Ham- 
lin;  Secretaries  Welles  and  Dennison ;  Chief- Justice 
Chase;  Vice- Admiral  Farragut;  numerous  Senators 
and  Representatives ;  army  and  navy  officials,  with 
many  of  the  rank  and  file,  were  in  attendance.  Ad- 


THE   THIRD    YEAR.  217 

dresses  were  made  by  Secretary  Seward,  Geo.  H.  Stuart, 
A.  E.  Chamberlain,  Eev.  J.  Wheaton  Smith,  D.D.,  Rev. 
C.  M.  Butler,  D.D.,  General  M.  R.  Patrick,  Rev.  C.  C. 
McCabe,  General  C.  B.  Fisk,  and  Mr.  A.  D.  Richardson. 
Chaplain  McCabe  sang  the  "Battle  Hymn  of  the  Re- 
public," and  Mr.  Philip  Phillips  sang  "  Your  Mission." 
Both  songs  thrilled  the  audience,  and  were  accompanied 
with  manifestations  of  extraordinary  emotion, — the  first 
stirring  every  heart  like  the  blast  of  a  trumpet,  and  the 
second,  by  its  tenderness  and  pathos,  suffusing  all  eyes 
with  tears.  It  was  noticed  that  President  Lincoln  arose 
with  the  throng  and  joined  heartily  in  the  chorus  of 
the  "  Battle  Hymn,"  and  that  while  Mr.  Phillips  was 
singing  he  shared  fully  in  the  emotions  of  all  around 
him.1 

The  Anniversary  was  repeated  in  Philadelphia,  at  the 
Academy  of  Music,  before  a  crowded  and  enthusiastic 
audience,  on  Tuesday  evening,  January  31.  Addresses 
were  made  by  Rev.  Alex.  Reed,  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
General  C.  B.  Fisk,  Rev.  Richard  Newton,  D.D.,  Joseph 
Story,  and  Rev.  Edward  Hawes ;  Chaplain  McCabe  and 
Mr.  Phillips  sang ;  and  others  participated  in  the  devo- 
tional exercises.  Similar  public  meetings  were  held  in 
connection  with  some  of  the  principal  Branch  Commis- 
sions. 

The  financial  and  statistical  exhibits  of  the  year  are 
appended,  as  showing  the  extent  and  details  of  the  Com- 
mission's resources  and  work. 

1  See  p.  256. 
28 


218 


ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


TABLE  I.— E  EPORT   OF   THE   TEEASUREE. 
DR.    JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  TREASURER  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION.      CR. 


1864. 
Jan.  1, 
Dec.  31, 

To  balance  from  1863  
To  cash  received  from  Branch 
Offices 

$43,547  41 
297  456  35 

Dec.  31, 

By  cash    paid    for    hospital 
supplies  
Bv  ca«h  paid  for  publications 

$245,677  14 
241  614  80 

To  cash   received  at   Wash- 

21,206  84 

By  cash  paid  chapels,  horses. 

60,598  20 

To  cash  received  from  Ladies' 
Christian  Commission,  San 
Francisco,    Cal.,    proceeds 
of  fair- 

54200  00 

By  cash  paid  Delegates'  ex- 
penses and  outfits  
By  cash  paid  stationery   for 

23,406  35 
4820  73 

To  cash  received  from  Ladies' 
Fair,  Sacramento,  Cal  
To  cash  received  from  Pacific 
Christian  Commission,  for 
amount  collected  on  Pacific 
Coast  
To  cash  received  for  Chero- 
kee Indians  (Special  Fund) 
To  cash  received  from  Penn- 
sylvania Railroad  Co  
To  cash  received  from  soldiers 
and  sailors,    directly  into 

22,667  55 

40,580  02 
1,979  24 
5,000  00 

By  cash  paid  freight,  dray- 
age,  labor,  etc  
By  cash  paid  salaries  of  Per- 
manent Delegates  
By  cash  paid  salaries  of  Col- 
lecting Agents  
By   cash    paid    expenses  of 
public  meetings  
By  cash  paid  salaries  at  Cen- 
tral Office  
By  cash  paid  printing,  sta- 
tionery, postage,  and  inci- 

18,494  76 
2,953  29 
3,733  00 
2,036  63 
7,663  44 

7  767  67 

to    considerable    amounts 

By  cash  paid  expenses  Pacific 

3245  56 

and  other  Field  Offices  
To  cash  received  from  various 
Corporations,   Local    Com- 
mittees,  Ladies'  Christian 
Commissions,      collections 
in  churches,  and  at  public 
meetings,  individual   sub- 
scriptions, etc  

2,282  89 
345,662  13 

By  cash    paid  Cherokee  In- 
dian Fund,  paid  to  order 
of  Chief  Juo.  Ross  
By  cash  paid  Army  of  Poto- 
mac Agency  
By  cash  paid  Nashville  Agen- 
cy, for  various  armies  of 
which  that  is  the  base  
By    cash     paid     Knoxville 
Agency  
By    cash    paid    Shenandoah 

1,979  24 

2,827  03 

23,869  06 
381  65 
580  88 

By     cash     paid     Annapolis 

638  05 

By  cash  paid  Fortress  Mon- 
roe Agency  
By  cash  paid  Special  Agency 
in  field 

1,805  82 
970  00 

By  cash  paid  drafts  Wash- 
ington Agency  
By  cash   paid   drafts   Louis- 
ville Agency  
By  Cash  paid  drafts  St.  Louis 

155,024  90 
10,292  65 
1  279  25 

By  cash  paid  drafts  Baltimore 

By  cash     balance   on   hand 
this  day  

5,420  12 

1865. 

$834,582  43 

8834,582  43 

Jan.  2, 

To  balance,  cash  in  Treasury, 

$5,420  12 

Having  examined  the  foregoing  account  of  JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  Treasurer  of  the  TJ.  S.  Christian 
Commission,  and  the  vouchers  submitted  therewith,  and  the  corresponding  Bank  Accounts,  and 
having  had  the  various  additions  made  by  a  careful  and  competent  clerk,  we  find  the  whole  to  be 
correct,  leaving  a  balance  in  the  Treasury  on  the  31st  of  December,  1864,  of  $5,420  12. 

STEPHEN  COLWELL. 

HORATIO  GATES  JONES. 


THE   THIRD    YEAR. 


219 


TABLE  II.  — CASH  RECEIPTS,  TRANSFERS,  AND  BALANCES  OP  CENTRAL 
OFFICE,  AND  BRANCHES  HAVING  A  LOCAL  FIELD  TO  SUPPORT,  FOR 
1864. 


OFFICES. 

I. 
Balance  on 
hand  per  last 
Annual  Report 
Dec.  31,  1S63. 

Cash  received 
directly  into 
the  various 
Treasuries. 

III. 

Cash  remitted 
by  Ccufl  Office 
to  Branches 
and  Agencies. 

IV. 
Cash  remitted 

Branch  Office 
to  other*. 

V. 

TnUl  Cash  Re- 
ci-i|,ts.  Includ- 
ing Balance 
from  1863. 

PHILADELPHIA  
Albany  

$43,547  41 

$493,578  67 
10,500  50 
49,572  HO 
164,952  13 
26,450  97 
47,389  22 
48,938  98 
53.499  71 
8,235  82 
26,042  40 
3,332  60 
23,418  56 
18.133  79 
3,701  75 
102.747  63 
49,373  12 
92,705  00 
11,862  41 
7,659  07 
39,904  08 
4,011  01 
7  725  51 



297,456  35 

$834,582  43 
10,560  50 
58,467  24 
169,474  40 
26,450  97 
49,790  73 
62,076  21 
70,493  18 
8,235  82 
26,720  63 
3,332  60 
23,418  56 
18,755  30 
21,388  19 
118.914  31 
50,145  92 

1.382  13 

4,522  27 

7,502  21 

Butlalo  

2,401  51 
372  78 
12,941  66 

C!ii<"i"<>                  

:::::::::::: 

2,764  45 
4,051  81 

Cli'VrhUld              

Detroit  

678  23 



Hertford 

Indianapolis  

621  51 
200  05 
16.166  68 
772  80 
7,567  38 

1XV292  65 

Viios'fi 

\i-\v  York       

Peori-i                                

Pittslmr"  

11,862  41 
7,659  07 
50,813  26 
4,011  01 
7,725  51 
3,959  45 
155,024  90 

'tjaa'w 

St    I  (mis                             

1,279  25 

8,600  00 

St    Paul  

3,959  45 

issioai'flii 

\".'".'.'.'.'.'.'. 

Totals  

$92,204  34  $1,297,755  28 

$174,099  01 

$320,066  35 

(1,884,124  98 

TABLE   III.  — NUMBER   AND  VALUE   OF   STORES   AND   PUBLICATIONS 
DONATED,  AND  NUMBER  OF  PACKAGES  DISTRIBUTED,  IN  1864. 


OFFICES. 

I. 
Boxes  and 
Packages  of 
Donated  Stores 
and  Publica- 
tions. 

II. 

Value  of 
Donated 
Stores. 

III. 
Value  of 
Donated  Pub- 
lications. 

IV. 
Number  of 
Boxes  and 

I1.  i.   k  r.     .    II,-- 

tributed. 

3829 

$378  462  13 

18744 

67 

2000  00 

$300  00 

12 

Baltimore                                 

325 

6,2ilO  00 

325  00 

2.994 

2105 

248,100  00 

7  780  00 

566 

Buffalo    

1,416 

1«,280  78 

867 

438 

16,715  00 

1,0X5  00 

•  | 

4000 

1750(10  00 

1  000  00 

:.  HI 

Detroit                     .                       

484 

15,000  00 

100  00 

!,., 

Hartford 

81 

12165  13 

Indianapolis                    .           

395 

11,474  93 

912 

1  805 

12,000  00 

11  170  00 

1,805 

New  York       .                 

417 

24.543  40 

12,426  42 

8,120 

l',i,|i.l                                                                                                                                          

822 

16,672  00 

HI 

""•burg  

2,403 

193,940  00 

15,000  00 

3,809 

Providence  
Rochester 

160 

6.000  00 

90 

St    JxHlig                                                   

3,407 

Utl.iW  

2,600  00 

i:  v, 

St.  Paul  

26 

2,500  00 

250  00 

..: 

Washington                                                  

108 

3,780  00 

2.789 

Totals   .       .             

22,320 

$1,169,508  37 

$51,936  42 

47,108 

220 


ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


TABLE  IV.  — TOTAL  OF  PUBLICATIONS  DISTRIBUTED  IN  1864,  SHOWING 
GRANTS  OF  AMERICAN  BIBLE  SOCIETY,  AND  THE  QUANTITIES  PUR- 
CHASED AT  EACH  OFFICE. 


OFFICES. 

Bibles,  Tes- 
taments, and 
Portions  of 
Scriptures, 
Grants  of 
Am.  Bible 
Society   and 
its  Deposi- 

II. 

H,inT 
Psalm 
Books. 

III. 

Knapsack 
Books,  Flexi- 
ble and  Pa- 
per Covers. 

IV. 
Bound  Li- 
brary 
Books. 

V. 

Zinesgaand 
pUets. 

Religious 
News- 
papers. 

VII. 

Pages  of 
Tracts. 

PHILADELPHIA  

339,595 

254,018 
200 

3,940,209 
150 

25,690 
300 
380 
1,340 
2,376 

227,443 
500 
578 
1,125 
49,565 

4,491,664 

6,509,257 

59.000 
45.000 
174.320 
42.900 
237.653 
1,150.674 

600,000 
223,100 
575,420 

29,466 
1,571,921 
1,000 
205,830 

"3J581,?66 

eo.ooo 

7.420 
306,494 

1,828 
1,174 

37,500 
3,950 

23.000 
49,570 

Brooklyn  
Buffalo         .             

Chicago 

1,900 

37,000 
85,250 
500 

22,000 
10.600 
250 
3,410 

"182,672 
5,357 
42,400 
46,285 
273 

500 

4,195 
•25,260 

1,440 
10,869 

500 

Indianapolis  
Louisville  
New  York 

326 

11,336 
1,956 
4,140 
14,227 
126 
570 
1,650 

1,079 
17,396 

22,370 
13,695 
176 

"sob 

587.124 
9,100 
614.940 

2t;s.4-'4 
2,500 

307,459 

34,478 
37,826 

41,584 
12.950 
8,976 
6,063 
256 

1,000 

Peoria 

Pittsburg  

4,215 
846 

87,232 
60,000 

St.  Louis  
St.  Paul  

16,666 

Washington 

Rebel    soldiers    of    Army 
of   Mississippi,    through 
Memphis  and  Shelby  Co. 
Bible  Society,  Tenn  

Totals  

569,594 

489.247 

4,326,676 

93,872 

346.536  7.990,758 

13,681,342 

TABLE   V.  — DELEGATES  AND  PERMANENT  AGENTS,  FOR  1864. 


II. 

III. 

IV. 

OFFICES. 

Delegates  Com- 

Number in 

Aggregate 

Number  of 

missioned.  * 

1,  1865.      " 

days  of  Dele- 

employed in 

gates'  service. 

Home  "Work. 

PHILADELPHIA  

687 

43 

20,494 

8 

Albany  

34 

723 

Baltimore  

64 

"s 

1,674 

i 

Boston  

359 

37 

13,642 

3 

Brooklyn  

110 

14 

3,635 

1 

Buffalo  

75 

15 

2.491 

1 

Chicago  

101 

12 

4,148 

2 

Cincinnati  

140 

45 

5,880 

1 

Cleveland  

62 

1 

2,154 

Detroit  

55 

5 

1,526 

fm 

Harrisburg  

11 

1 

250 

Hartford  

10 

3 

273 

Indianapolis  
Louisville  

48 
1 

3 

1,586 

2 

New  York  

93 

41 

'9,394 

Peoria  
Pittsburg  -  

41 
175 

12 
20 

1,142 
5,843 

Rochester  

9 

335 

St.  Louis  

63 

6 

1.908 

2 

St.  Paul  

9 

1 

246 

Troy  

5 

1 

252 

• 

Utica  

6 

6 

2 

Washington  

59 

2 

1,200 

Totals 

2217 

276 

78  869 

°3 

' 

Average  number  of  Delegates  in  field  during  the  year,  217. 


THE    THIRD    YEAR. 


221 


TABLE  VI. -GENERAL  SUMMARY  OF  RECEIPTS  AND  VALUES,  FOB 
1862,  1863,  AND  1864. 


PARTICULARS. 

I. 
1864. 

II. 
1863. 

III. 
1862. 

IV. 
Total*  for 
1862,1*3.  aod 

Cash  Receipts  at  Central  and  Branch  Offices.. 
Value  of  Stores  donated  to  Central  and  Branch 
Offices 

$1,297,755  28 
1,169,508  37 
31,296  32 
72,114  83 

$358,239  29 
385,829  07 

$«),160  29 
142,150  00 

il,696,154  86 
1,697,487  44 
31,29632 
127,442  33 
1,877  79 

1,788  06 
263,700  00 

164,655  00 
39,490  00 

6,750  00 

Value  of  Publications  donated  to  Central  and 
Branch  Offices'  

Value  of   Spriptures    from  American  Bible 
Society 

45,071  50 
1,677  79 

10,256  00 

Value  of  Scriptures  from  British  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society 

Value  of  29,801   Hymn   Books,  donated   by 
Army  Committee.  Young  Men's  Christian 

1,788  06 
169,920  00 

106.765  00 
26,450  00 

6,750  00 
52,882,347  86 

72,420  00 

44,210  00 
9,390  00 

21,360  00 

13,680  00 
3,650  00 

Value  of   Railroad,    Steamboat,    and   other 

Value  of  Telegraph  facilities  

Value  of  Rents  of  Wai-chouses  and  Offices,  do- 

Totals 

$916,837  65 

$231,256  29 

$4,030,441  80 

1  Table  III,  column  III,  shows  this  for  1864  to  be $51,930  42 

From  which  should  be  deducted  value  of  Grants  of  American  Bible 

Society,  included  in  Credits  to  various  Branches 20,640  10 

Showing  the  above  to  be  for  1864 131,296  32 


TABLE  VII.  — GENERAL   SUMMARY  OF  WORK  AND  DISTRIBUTIONS, 
FOR  1862,  1863,  AND  1864. 


j 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

1864. 

1863. 

1862. 

Totals  for 

PARTICULARS. 

1862,  IN;.!,  and 

1864. 

Delegates  Commissioned  
Aggregate  Number  of  days  of  Delegates'  ser- 

2,217 
78869 

1,189 
41  118 

374 
11  593 

8,780 
131  580 

Boxes  of  Stores  and  Publications  distributed.. 

47,103 

12,648 

3,691 

63,442 

Bibles,  Testaments,  and  portions  of  Scriptures 
distributed  

569  594 

465  715 

102  560 

1,137  869 

Hymn  and  Psalm  Books  

489  247 

371,859 

130.697 

991,803 

Knapsack  Books,  in  paper  and  flexible  covers- 

4,326.676 
93872 

1,254.591 
39713 

115,757 
3450 

5,697.024 
137035 

Magazines  and  Pamphlets  

346.536 

120,492 

34.65.3 

501  <••-! 

Religious  Weekly  and  Monthly  Newspapers- 
Pages  of  Tracts  

7,990,758 
13,681,342 
3691 

2.931.469 
11,976,722 
3285 

384.781 
10,953,706 
830 

11,307,(H>8 
36,611,770 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE    FOURTH  YEAR. 

THE  year  1865,  which  was  the  last  in  the  history  of 
the  Christian  Commission,  was  not  marked  by  any 
special  modification  of  the  work  either  at  home  or  in  the 
army.  While  the  troops  were  in  winter  quarters,  the 
various  appliances  already  described  were  vigorously 
employed  in  ministering  to  the  religious  welfare  and 
physical  comfort  of  the  men.  The  promise  of  usefulness 
which  the  preceding  autumn  and  early  winter  seemed  to 
present  was  more  than  fulfilled  as  the  season  advanced. 
The  chapels,  reading-rooms,  diet-kitchens,  and  perma- 
nent stations,  with  the  multitude  of  Delegates,  agents, 
and  lady  managers,  engaged  in  camp  and  hospital  in  all 
the  various  forms  of  religious  and  sanitary  service,  bore 
good  and  abundant  fruit. 

When  the  spring  campaign  opened,  the  Commission 
prepared  itself  to  take  advantage  of  every  opportunity 
that  might  oifer.  Two  Delegates  came  through  with 
General  Sherman's  army,  in  its  "  Great  March "  from 
the  gulf  to  the  sea,  and  were  met  with  supplies  and 
helpers,  when  they  reached  the  Atlantic  coast,  In  the 
movements  that  preceded  and  followed  the  surrender  of 
Lee's  and  Johnston's  forces,  as  in  the  rapid  changes 
among  our  troops  at  the  West,  the  Commission  used  its 
222 


THE   FOURTH   YEAR.  223 

experience  and  its  facilities  at  every  point  in  every  prac- 
ticable way.  When  the  grand  armies  were  brought 
together  at  Washington,  in  May,  preliminary  to  being 
finally  reviewed  and  mustered  out,  the  Commission 
promptly  employed  the  period  of  rest  thus  afforded, 
pitched  their  tents  among  the  soldiers,  and  carried  on 
their  accustomed  distributions  and  daily  religious  ser- 
vices. When  at  last  the  armies  were  disbanded,  and  the 
regiments  set  out  for  their  several  homes, — their  fight- 
ings over  and  their  marchings  ended, — the  Commission 
attended  them  on  their  way,  so  far  as  was  practicable, 
met  them  at  the  various  rendezvous  where  they  were 
discharged,  and  supplied  them  with  such  service  as  they 
might  need,  and  so  sought  not  to  leave  them  until  they 
had  ceased  to  be  soldiers  and  had  become  again  simple 
citizens  of  the  Republic.  In  addition  to  other  reading- 
matter  distributed  to  these  returning  veterans,  two  small 
books  were  especially  prepared  for  them, — one  by  Rev. 
Dr.  E.  N.  Kirk,  entitled  "  Mustered  Out,"  published  by 
the  Boston  Tract  Society,  and  the  other  issued  by  the 
Christian  Commission  in  its  own  name,  entitled  "  Part- 
ing Words," — written  by  Chas.  E.  Lex,  Esq.,  of  Phila- 
delphia. These  were  circulated  by  thousands,  and  were 
designed  as  little  memorials  and  keepsakes. 

The  troops  were  not  all  disbanded  at  once.  Large 
detachments  were  sent  into  the  Southwest  and  North- 
west. The  Delegates  of  the  Commission  accompanied 
these,  and  the  good  work  was  carried  on  in  Texas  and 
Kansas.  The  last  field  station  of  the  Commission  was 
in  Kansas,  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  was  closed  in  June, 
1866. 

The  fall  of  Petersburg  and  of  Richmond,  in  the  first 


224  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

days  of  April,  1865,  was  the  occasion  of  great  excite- 
ment and  thanksgiving  throughout  the  North.  This 
enthusiastic  feeling  at  once  took  the  form  of  remembrance 
of  the  soldier's  wants  and  provision  for  them.  It  was 
thought  that  there  would  be  severe  fighting  and  much 
suffering,  and  it  was  the  general  purpose  to  be  prepared 
for  the  worst.  Numerous  meetings  were  held,  especially 
in  the  larger  cities,  at  which  liberal  contributions  were 
made  for  the  Commission's  treasury.  Multitudes  of  in- 
dividual and  congregational  offerings  were  also  sent  in. 
Although  these  resources  were  not  needed  for  the  emer- 
gency apprehended,  as  the  fall  of  the  rebel  capital  was 
followed  by  the  bloodless  surrender  of  the  rebel  armies, 
yet  the  Commission  was  thereby  enabled  to  continue 
and  complete  its  labors  in  a  manner  that  in  all  proba- 
bility would  not  have  been  otherwise  possible.  Funds 
for  the  more  quiet  and  obscure  work  in  Texas  and  on 
the  Plains  could  not  have  been  so  readily  obtained,  if  the 
appeal  had  been  for  that  work  alone,  after  the  excite- 
ment and  interest  of  the  war  had  largely  passed  away. 

The  death  of  President  Lincoln,  April  15,  was  for  the 
Commission,  as  for  the  American  people  at  large,  a  per- 
sonal bereavement.  It  was  suitably  recognized  and 
commemorated  by  the  various  Branch  Commissions.  At 
the  Central  Office  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  Executive 
Committee  on  the  day  of  the  sad  event.  In  connection 
with  appropriate  religious  exercises  the  following  minute 
was  passed,  an  engrossed  copy  of  which  was  sent  to  Mrs. 
Lincoln :  — 

WHEREAS,  God,  in  his  inscrutable  providence,  has  allowed  our 
Chief  Magistrate  the  President,  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  to  be  removed 
by  the  hand  of  violence,  therefore 


THE    FOUETH    YEAR.  225 

Resolved,  That  this  deplorable  event  which,  in  the  midst  of  heart- 
felt rejoicings,  has  thrown  the  nation  into  the  deepest  mourning,  im- 
pels us  to  look  to  God  for  wisdom  and  consolation.  We  are  in  the 
hands  of  the  same  Almighty  Deliverer  who  has  just  rescued  the 
country  from  the  perils  and  desolations  of  a  terrible  rebel  war.  He 
alone  who  sees  the  end  from  the  beginning  is  sufficient  to  guide  us 
now. 

Resolved,  That  as  citizens  we  mourn  the  loss  of  a  wise'  and  able 
ruler,  the  kind,  tender,  and  merciful  magistrate,  who  by  his  pure  and 
patriotic  administration  of  the  government  has  so  won  the  affections 
of  his  countrymen  ;  and,  as  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission,  we  lament  him  who,  when  the  Commis- 
sion was  first  organized,  at  once  gave  us  his  official  sanction  and  kind 
words  of  encouragement,  and  who  had  ever  since  been  a  fast  friend, 
giving  not  only  all  proper  governmental  facilities  but  also  generous 
private  contributions  and  expressions  of  personal  confidence  and  in- 
terest. We  remember,  with  gratitude  to  God,  that  the  recent  and 
last  official  interview  the  Commission  had  with  President  Lincoln,  in 
the  East  Room  of  the  Executive  Mansion,  was,  with  his  most  cordial 
approval,  closed  with  prayer  to  God,  in  whose  hands  he  then  said  he 
felt  himself  to  be  but  an  instrument,  to  execute  plans  whose  full  pur- 
port and  results  he  did  not  understand. 

Resolved,  That  we  give  to  the  children  and  widow  of  the  deceased 
our  deepest  sympathy  and  prayers,  that  the  blessed  Comforter  may 
abide  with  them  in  this  time  of  desolation. 

Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  attend  the  funeral  ser- 
vices. 

On  the  25th  of  April  a  Convention  of  the  Western 
Branches  of  the  Commission  assembled  in  Chicago,  simi- 
lar in  character  and  purpose  to  the  meeting  held  in  In- 
dianapolis six  months  before.  The  session  was  pleasant 
and  profitable,  but  without  special  influence  upon  the 
work  of  the  Commission,  as  that  was  necessarily  con- 
trolled by  the  termination  of  the  war. 

As  the  necessity  for  the  peculiar  work  of  the  Commis- 
sion diminished,  it  was  suggested  in  several  quarters  that 

29 


226  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

they  might  advantageously  turn  their  attention  to  new 
fields,  which  were  opening  to  the  benevolence  and  Chris- 
tian activity  of  the  nation.  It  was  said  that  the  Com- 
mission was  well  organized,  had  the  confidence  of  the 
government  and  the  people,  possessed  unusual  facilities 
for  reaching  all  parts  of  the  nation,  and  could  hence 
accomplish  more  in  the  way  of  educational  and  evangel- 
izing movements  than  newer  or  less  comprehensive  asso- 
ciations. These  suggestions  were  carefully  considered 
by  the  Executive  Committee,  but  it  was  deemed  inexpe- 
dient to  adopt  them.  The  Committee  thought  that  as 
the  Commission  was  organized  for  a  specific  purpose,  the 
organization  should  cease  as  soon  as  its  purpose  had  been 
accomplished.  They  felt  that  a  prompt  relinquishment 
of  their  trust,  with  a  full  report  of  the  manner  in  which 
it  had  been  discharged,  was  due  alike  to  themselves  and 
the  public.  Accordingly,  at  their  meeting  held  on  May 
18,  the  Executive  Committee,  after  an  extended  review 
of  all  the  questions  and  interests  involved,  adopted  the 
following  minute  by  a  unanimous  vote :  — 

WHEREAS,  The  United  States  Christian  Commission  was  formed 
early  in  the  war  for  a  special  purpose,  "  To  promote  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  welfare  of  the  soldiers  in  the  army  and  the  sailors  and 
marines  in  the  navy,"  and 

WHEREAS,  That  work,  which  God  has  so  abundantly  blessed,  is 
nearly  done ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  intention  of  the  United  States  Christian 
Commission  to  hold  itself  strictly  to  its  original  purpose,  and  to  dis- 
continue its  operations  as  soon  as  the  necessities  shall  cease  which 
required  its  organization. 

At  the  same  meeting  the  following  resolutions  were 
also  unanimously  adopted:  — 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  -J-J7 

Resolved,  That  we  will  make  no  further  efforts  to  organize  Ladies' 
Christian  Commissions. 

Resolved,  That  the  services  of  all  paid  Collecting  Agents  employed 
by  this  Committee  be  terminated  on  the  first  day  of  June  next. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  action  of  the  Executive  Committee  be 
communicated  to  the  Branch  Commissions,  and  that,  they  be  advised 
to  dispense  with  all  paid  Collecting  Agents. 

Everything  was  now  directed  toward  the  closing  up 
of  the  stations  and  offices  of  the  Commission,  as  rapidly 
as  the  welfare  of  the  soldiers  would  permit.  The  mili- 
tary posts  were  gradually  abandoned  by  the  troops,  and 
the  hospitals  were  gradually  emptied  of  their  patients, 
and  the  work  of  the  Commission  was  curtailed  in  similar 
measure.  During  the  summer  and  early  autumn  most 
of  the  permanent  Agents  and  officers  resigned.  The 
Branch  Commissions  were  left  to  close  up  their  local 
matters  according  to  their  judgment,  as  determined  by 
the  general  principles  already  announced.  Appropria- 
tions were  made  from  the  Central  treasury  to  meet 
special  necessities  in  various  parts  of  the  field.  The 
Executive  Committee  appointed  the  Home  Secretary 
"to  prepare  a  Memorial  or  History  of  the  Christian 
Commission,"  and  the  Field  Secretary  "to  prepare  a 
volume  of  Incidents, — such  as  may  be  regarded  by  him 
as  fully  authentic  and  most  valuable  of  those  which  have 
occurred  during  the  work  of  the  Commission." 

In  September  the  Commission  was  furnished,  by  the 
agents  in  charge  of  the  Individual  Relief  Department, 
with  a  list  of  seven  thousand  names  of  Federal  soldier* 
buried  from  Libby,  Belle  Isle,  and  Danville  prisons,  at 
Gty  Point  and  in  the  field  around  Petersburg  and 
Richmond,  and  in  the  rebel  prison  at  Millin,  Georgia. 


228  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

This  list  was  printed  in  pamphlet  form,  widely  adver- 
tised, and  forwarded  to  the  large  number  of  persons 
who  applied  for  it. 

The  Executive  Committee  held  a  meeting  on  the  first 
of  December,  again  to  examine  the  condition  of  affairs. 
It  then  appeared  that  there  was  one  permanent  Dele- 
gate among  the  soldiers  in  Virginia,  with  headquarters 
at  Richmond;  that  fourteen  Agents  and  Permanent 
Delegates  were  employed  in  Texas,  with  New  Orleans 
as  base  of  supplies,  engaged  in  teaching  and  preaching 
among  the  colored  troops,  with  the  ordinary  field  work 
and  hospital  relief, — the  Western  Sanitary  Commission 
and  the  Illinois  State  Sanitary  Commission  having  fur- 
nished hospital  stores  to  the  amount  of  $15,000  or 
$20,000;  that  at  Fort  Leavenworth  and  on  the  Plains 
there  were  six  agents  and  Delegates ;  that  in  Texas  and 
on  the  Plains  the  troops  numbered  about  sixty-five  thou- 
sand, and  that  the  St.  Louis  Branch  had  immediate 
charge  of  the  work  in  both  fields.  Upon  a  careful  con- 
sideration of  the  condition  of  the  Commission's  treasury 
and  work,  the  following  resolutions  were  passed:  — 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  termi- 
nate its  labors  and  close  its  offices,  January  1,  1866,  and  that  a 
final  report  be  made  to  the  public  as  soon  as  practicable  there- 
after. 

2.  That  the   Branch  Commissions   be   requested  to   shape   their 
affairs,  and  make  their  reports  to  the  Central  Office,  in  accordance 
with  the  foregoing  resolution. 

3.  That  this  action  of  the  Executive  Committee  be  published,  and 
also  be  communicated  to  the  several  Branches. 

4.  That  the  balances  now  remaining  in  the  treasuries  of  the  several 
Branch  Commissions  be  applied  by  them  according  to  their  judg- 
ment and  discretion,  always  keeping  in  view  the  special  object  for 


THE   FOURTH   YEAR.  229 

which  the  funds  were  given.  Where  no  such  application  is  prac- 
ticable, they  are  requested  to  send  their  balances  to  the  Central 
Office. 

The  Executive  Committee  again  met,  January  11, 
1866.  Arrangements  were  made  for  holding  a  final 
Anniversary  of  the  Commission,  in  Washington,  on 
Sabbath  evening,  February  11.  Messrs.  Col  well,  De- 
mond,  and  Jones  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  super- 
intend the  publication  of  the  books  already  ordered. 
The  Treasurer's  Account  and  the  Annual  Report  were 
passed  upon.  Finally  the  following  minute  was  adopted, 
as  terminating  the  official  existence  of  the  Executive 
Committee  and  the  Commission  :  — 

WHEREAS,  The  work  of  the  Christian  Commission  is  ended,  and 
there  are  still  funds  in  the  possession  of  the  Treasurer,  and  more  funds 
are  expected  from  the  profits  of  tUe  sale  of  the  "  History  "  and  "  Book 
of  Incidents,"  therefore 

Voted,  That  GEORGE  H.  STUART,  JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  STEPHEN 
COLWELL,  JOHN  P.  CROZER/  and  MATTHEW  SIMPSON,  be  and  hereby 
are  appointed  TRUSTEES,  to  receive  and  hold  the  funds  now  in  the 
Treasury,  and  all  that  may  hereafter  be  given  to  the  Commission, 
or  may  accrue  to  the  Commission  from  the  sale  of  said  books  or 
otherwise,  upon  the  following  trusts  and  conditions,  to  wit :  To  pay 
all  debts  due  or  that  may  become  clue  from  the  Commission,  and  all 
expenses  that  may  arise  in  closing  up  the  affairs  of  the  Commission, 
including  those  of  its  closing  meeting,  and  all  expenses  of  preparing 
and  publishing  said  History  and  Book  of  Incidents ;  and  to  apply 
and  appropriate  all  the  remainder  of  such  funds  to  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  benefit  of  those  who  are,  have  been,  or  may  be  soldiers 
and  sailors  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  in  such  ways  as  they 
shall  deem  best.  A  majority  of  said  Trustees  shall  be  competent  to 

i  Mr.  Crozer  died  on  the  llth  day  of  March,  1866;  whereupon,  on  the  13th 
day  of  the  same  month,  HORATIO  GATES  JONES  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy, 

and  was  also  chosen  Secretary  of  the  Board. 


230  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

transact  any  and  all  business  relating  to  said  Trust,  and  if  any 
vacancy  or  vacancies  shall  occur  in  the  number  of  the  said  Trustees 
the  remainder  shall  fill  such  vacancy  or  vacancies. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  pay  over  to  the  said  Trustees  all  the 
funds  remaining  in  his  hands  at  the  time  his  accounts  shall  be  fully 
audited,  and  take  their  receipt  therefor. 

The  final  meeting  of  the  Executive  Committee  was 
held  at  Washington,  in  the  E  Street  Baptist  Church, 
Saturday,  February  10,  1866,  at  9J  o'clock.  Various 
business  matters  were  prepared  for  presentation  to  the 
Commission  at  large,  which  had  been  called  to  convene 
at  the  same  place  at  10  o'clock.  The  following  resolu- 
tion of  thanks  was  voted  to  the  Chairman:  — 

The  Executive  Committee  feel  it  a  duty  and  a  pleasure  to  place 
on  record  their  high  appreciation  of  the  able  and  faithful  service  of 
their  chairman,  GEO.  H.  STUART.  His  liberality  in  furnishing  office 
and  store  room,  and  at  times  the  services  of  his  clerks,  was  of  great 
value,  especially  in  the  early  days  of  the  Commission.  His  business 
talent  and  skill  enabled  us  to  purchase  cheaply  and  well,  and  to 
keep  all  the  accounts  of  our  extensive  and  diversified  operations  in 
the  most  thorough  manner.  His  unbounded  enthusiasm  was  com- 
municated not  only  to  us  but  to  all  who  came  near  him,  and  enlisted 
the  sympathies  and  aid  of  thousands  in  our  work,  while  his  personal 
intercourse  with  us,  in  all  our  long  and  trying  deliberations,  has  been 
delightful.  As  we  separate,  our  prayers  go  up  to  our  Father  in 
heaven  that  his  days  may  be  many,  useful,  and  happy. 

After  a  few  words  of  acknowledgment  by  the  Chair- 
man, the  Committee  dissolved, — closing  its  record  with 
this  minute:  — 

Before  finally  separating,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission  wish  to  put  on  record  an  expression  of 
their  gratitude  to  God,  for  his  constant  watch-care  and  blessing, 
during  the  entire  period  of  their  organization.  No  one  of  their 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  231 

number  has  been  removed  by  death.  There  has  been  complete  har- 
mony in  their  counsels,  and  the  heartiest  co-operation  in  their  action. 
With  scarcely  an  exception  every  vote  has  been  unanimous,  and  this 
notwithstanding  the  frequency  of  their  meetings  and  the  magnitude 
of  the  interests  confided  to  them.  Their  measures  have  had  the 
confidence  of  the  Christian  public  and  of  the  national  authorities, 
and  have  been  blessed  with  most  gratifying  results  in  the  army  and 
navy.  All  this  preservation,  concord,  favor,  and  efficiency  the 
Executive  Committee  wish  now,  with  gratitude  for  having  been 
entrusted  with  such  service  and  for  the  divine  help  accorded  them, 
to  ascribe  to  Him  from  whom  has  come  power,  wisdom,  and  grace, 
and  to  whom  be  praise  and  glory  forever,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  AMEN. 

The  Commission  at  large  met,  as  above  indicated,  at 
ten  o'clock.  An  adjourned  session  was  also  held  in  the 
evening.  The  Commission  and  its  various  Branches 
were  well  represented.  The  action  of  the  Executive 
Committee  was  reviewed  and  confirmed.  The  President 
of  the  United  States,  the  several  heads  of  Departments, 
and  General  Grant,  were  waited  upon  during  the  day. 
In  the  evening  the  Commission  heard  the  Annual  Re- 
port, adopted  the  same,  and  thereupon  finally  adjourned, 
— ordering  their  record  to  be  closed  with  the  following 
preamble  and  resolutions :  — 

WHEREAS,  The  causes  which  brought  into  existence,  and  have 
continued  for  four  years,  the  labors  of  the  United  States  Christian 
Commission,  have  now  happily  ceased,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  our  most  sincere  thanks  are  due  to  Almighty  God 
for  the  termination  of  the  rebellion,  and  for  thus  opening  the  whole 
country  to  the  influences  of  education  and  religion. 

Resolved,  That  we  also  express  our  devout  gratitude  to  God  for  his 
blessing  upon  the  officers  and  Delegates  of  this  Commission,  in  their 
efforts  to  relieve  the  sufferings  of  our  soldiers  and  seamen,  and  to 
impart  to  them,  and  especially  to  the  sick  and  dying,  that  instruc- 
tion and  consolation  in  the  religion  of  Jesus  which  is  beyond  price. 


232  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

With  these  closing  official  minutes  of  the  Commission, 
may  be  associated  their  "Parting  Words"  to  those 
through  whose  constant  and  efficient  co-operation  they 
had  been  enabled  to  carry  forward  to  completion  their 
important  work :  — 

Our  joy  in  being  permitted,  by  the  return  of  peace  to  the  land  and 
the  soldiers  to  their  homes,  to  cease  the  labors  of  the  Commission,  is 
shaded  with  regret.  Very  pleasant,  indeed,  have  been  our  associa- 
tions, during  these  years,  with  those  who  have  toiled  for  the  welfare 
of  the  soldier  and  sailor.  We  cannot  allow  them  to  close  without 
thanksgiving  to  God  for  this  goodly  fellowship. 

We  do  not  forget  that  he  who  was  at  once  the  pride  and  hope  of 
the  nation,  an  early  and  devoted  friend  of  the  Commission,  a  most 
intimate  participator  at  our  meeting  one  year  ago,  has  not  been  per- 
mitted to  see  the  end  with  us.  President  Lincoln's  appreciation  of 
the  Christian  Commission  was  only  another  expression  of  his  more 
than  paternal  love  for  his  soldiers.  To  have  found  a  place  in  such 
a  heart,  and  the  approval  of  such  a  mind,  we  deem  a  special  cause 
for  thanksgiving. 

To  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  the  heads  of 
the  different  Departments  of  the  army  in  Washington,  and  to  the 
Lieutenant-Genei'al  and  all  his  commanders  in  the  field,  we  are  under 
peculiar  obligations.  They  have  not  only  allowed  and  approved, 
but  have  enabled  us  thus  to  minister  to  the  suffering. 

To  the  Army  Committees  in  the  different  Branches  of  the  Commis- 
sion, merchants  and  professional  men,  who  have  left  their  ordinary 
business  to  give  time  and  strength  and  anxious  thought  for  the  wel- 
fare of  the  soldier,  through  the  Christian  Commission,  we  have  been 
drawn  with  increasing  admiration  and  love.  Knowing  that  they 
have  their  reward,  we  desire  only  to  assure  them  that,  in  our  parting, 
"  the  tie  that  binds  "  is  not  broken.  Memory  shall  keep  it  ready  for 
all  united  Christian  work  in  times  of  peace,  till  at  length,  by  God's 
grace,  it  holds  us  again,  united  in  the  service  above. 

To  the  pastors  of  churches,  the  children  in  the  Sunday-schools,  and 
to  the  thousands  and  millions  all  over  our  land  who  have  joined 
hands  with  us  in  these  ministrations  for  Christ,  no  words  of  ours  can 


THE   FOURTH   YEAR.  233 

adequately  set  forth  our  gratitude  in  this  farewell  hour.  Upon  them 
we  have  leaned,  and  not  been  disappointed.  They  have  refused  no 
appeals  in  behalf  of  the  national  defenders.  Their  trust  in  the  Com- 
mission, and  their  generous  enthusiasm,  growing  and  swelling  to  the 
last,  have  been  our  stay  and  strength. 

To  the  loyal  women  who,  in  Ladies'  Christian  Commissions,  in 
leagues  and  aid  societies,  have  fed  the  flame  of  piety  and  patriotism 
in  our  homes,  and  in  weary  hours,  for  successive  years,  with  busy 
fingers  and  devices  of  love,  have  kept  the  hands  of  our  agents  and 
Delegates  in  the  field  so  full  of  comforts  for  suffering  patriots,  it  is 
not  enough  to  say  we  are  profoundly  grateful.  To  them,  under  God, 
the  Commission  owes  its  success.  We  only  anticipate  the  verdict  of 
the  future,  when  we  say  that,  thus  far  in  human  history,  such  work 
is  exclusively  theirs,  —  a  work  that  could  have  been  wrought  only  by 
praying  wives  and  mothers  and  sisters  in  behalf  of  imperilled  kindred 
and  country. 

Finally,  to  God,  the  Giver  and  Guide  of  all,  we  join  with  each 
fellow-laborer  of  the  Christian  Commission,  in  thanksgiving  and 
praise.  The  work  is  His.  To  Him  be  the  glory.  We  gave  the 
Commission  the  name  of  the  Master.  We  sent  it  forth  to  speak  His 
words  and  imitate  His  deeds.  Christ,  the  Lord,  has  accepted  and 
honored  it ;  and  now,  wherever  mention  shall  be  made  of  the  work  it 
has  accomplished,  we  desire  only  that  the  quick,  grateful,  adoring 
response  shall  be,  "  See  what  the  Lord  hath  wrought ! " 

The  fourth  and  last  Anniversary  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission was  held  on  Sabbath  evening,  February  11, 1866, 
in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives,  Washing- 
ton, according  to  previous  arrangements.  It  was  no  less 
numerously  attended  than  the  similar  meetings  of  pre- 
ceding years,  and  it  was  the  equal  of  those  in  character 
and  interest.  In  order  to  show  more  clearly  the  nature 
of  the  Commission's  anniversaries  and  public  meetings, 
as  they  were  held  in  the  larger  cities  of  the  North  from 
year  to  year,  a  full  report  of  this  last  gathering  is  here 
preserved.  This  report  was  made  for  the  Commission 

30 


234  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

by  one  of  the  editors  of  The  Sunday- School  Times,  Mr. 
I.  Newton  Baker,  to  whom  the  Commission  was  indebted 
for  much  valuable  service,  and  was  first  published  in 
The  Times  of  February  24, 1866. 

FOURTH  ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 

The  ever  memorable  fourth  and  closing  anniversary  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission was  held  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  on  Sabbath  evening,  February  11,  1866.  A  great  crowd  filled  the  Hall, 
overflowing  the  lobbies  outside,  and  turning  thousands  away  in  a  disappointed 
stream.  The  assembly  was  composed  of  the  distinguished  and  honored  of  the 
land,  representing  perhaps  more  fully  and  truly  the  powers  which  wield  our 
great  nation  than  any  similar  assembly  ever  convened  in  our  country's  history. 
The  Hall  was  draped  in  memory  of  the  beloved  DEAD,  who  by  his  presence 
graced  the  last  anniversary  of  the  Commission,  and  by  his  tearful  sympathy 
has  made  that  occasion  ever  fragrant  in  the  history  and  record  of  the  institu- 
tion. The  Hon.  Schuyler  Colfax,  Speaker  of  the  House,  presided.  Precisely 
at  seven  o'clock  the  exercises  began,  by  the  singing  of  the  noble  hymn  of 
praise, 

Jesus  shall  reign  where'er  the  sun 
Does  his  successive  journeys  run, 
His  kingdom  stretch  from  shore  to  shore, 
Till  moons  shall  wax  and  wane  no  more, 

the  audience  rising  and  joining  in  the  praise,  led  by  Philip  Phillips,  of  Cin- 
cinnati. Prayer  was  then  offered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Boynton,  Chaplain  of  the 
House,  and  the  Scriptures  were  read,  in  the  46th  Psalm,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor, 
Secretary  of  the  American  Bible  Society. 

SPEECH  OF  SPEAKER  COLFAX. 

On  taking  the  chair,  Speaker  Colfax  said  :  — 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen :  The  fearful  trial  to  which  our  Republic 
was  subjected,  for  the  preservation  of  its  existence,  is  over.  The 
loved  and  lost,  who  died  that  the  nation  might  live,  sleep'in  their 
bloody  shrouds  in  village  churchyards,  on  cannon-furrowed  battle- 
fields, near  prison-camps,  alas!  too,  in  unmarked  graves,  but  all 
enshrined  with  the  sainted  dead  of  the  Revolution  in  millions  of 
hearts  for  evermore.  The  yet  vacant  chair  at  many  a  lonely  hearth- 
stone tells  the  silent  story  of  sacrifice,  such  as  the  world  had  never 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  L':;.~> 

I 

rivalled  before.  But  the  gates  of  our  temple  of  Janus  are  closed. 
From  the  battle  line  which  swept  across  our  country  thousands  of 
miles,  from  Gettysburg  to  the  boundary  of  the  Mexican  Republic, 
the  bannered  hosts  have  returned  to  their  waiting  homes,  volunteers 
transformed  by  the  shock  of  arms  into  veterans,  and  hailed  as  the 
saviors  of  the  Union.  The  sword  is  exchanged  for  the  plough- 
share, and  the  great  rebellion,  organized  on  broken  oaths,  and  cul- 
minating in  the  murder  of  the  nation's  chief,  with  the  great  uprising 
which  so  patriotically  confronted  it,  and  the  great  victory  which 
crushed  it,  has  passed  into  history,  which  Cicero  tells  us  is  "  the 
evidence  of  ages,  the  light  of  memory,  and  the  school  of  life." 

It  is  under  these  auspicious  circumstances  that  this  organization, 
inspired  from  that  Throne  whence  flow  all  good  impulses,  which, 
like  a  handmaiden  of  mercy,  went  forth  into  our  armies  to  succor 
and  to  save,  returns  to-night  to  this  Representative  Hall,  to  render  a 
final  account  of  its  stewardship.  Of  its  thousands  of  active  and 
willing  co-laborers,  and  its  millions  of  expenditures,  you  will  hear 
from  abler  tongues  than  mine.  From  all  quarters  of  the  nation, 
from  church  altars  and  family  circles,  from  merchants  and  manu- 
facturers, from  mechanics  and  miners,  from  the  tillers  of  the  earth 
and  the  sailors  on  the  sea,  from  crowded  cities  and  humble  cabins, 
from  the  munificent  donations  of  the  wealthy  to  the  widow's  mite, 
came  the  material  aid  which  poured  its  mighty  volume  into  the 
coflers  of  the  Christian  Commission.  And  its  agents,  thus  endowed 
with  the  unstinted  gifts  of  patriotic  benevolence,  and  clad  in  the 
armor  of  a  nation's  sympathy,  went  forth  to  win  the  glorious  vic- 
tories they  so  gloriously  achieved, — victories  over  suffering,  victories 
over  disease,  victories  over  death  itself,  from  whose  icy  grasp  they 
rescued  so  many  thousands  by  their  more  than  Samaritan  ministra- 
tions. To  the  battlefield  they  came,  to  snatch  our  brave  defenders 
from  under  the  guns  of  the  enemy,  where  they  had  fallen.  To  the 
hospital  they  came,  to  minister  in  place  of  the  beloved  wife  and 
mother,  so  far  away,  and  to  pour  oil,  if  possible,  into  the  expiring 
lamp  of  life.  To  the  death-bed  of  the  departing  hero  they  came,  to 
smooth  his  pathway  to  the  tomb,  and  to  point  him  to  that  better 
land  where  he  should  live  a  life  that  would  never  die. 

Resting  from  their  labors  of  love,  now  that  the  victorious  ensign 
of  the  Republic  waves  over  the  entire  land,  and  our  Constitution  bus 


236  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

become  the  New  Testament  of  our  freedom,  they  rejoice  with  all 
who  rejoice  over  a  country  saved  for  its  brilliant  destiny  hereafter, 
in  that  noble  sentiment,  deeper,  profounder  in  its  significance  to-day 
than  when  first  uttered  in  this  Capitol,  "  Liberty  and  Union,  now 
and  forever,  one  and  inseparable." 

Mr.  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  Chairman  of  the  Commission,  presented  a  Summary 
Statement  of  its  operations  from  the  beginning,  and  Kev.  E.  P.  Smith,  Field 
Secretary,  read  an  abstract  of  its  last  Annual  Keport. 

Mr.  Stuart  read  a  number  of  letters  from  various  civil  and  military  officers. 
These,  with  others  that  were  afterwards  received,  are  here  appended :  — 

FKOM  SECRETAEY  STANTOM". 

(A   TELEGRAM.) 

WASHINGTON,  Feb.  1,  1866. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  8.  C.  C.,  Philadelphia: — 

With  many  thanks  to  you  and  the  Association  of  which  you  are 
the  presiding  officer,  for  the  kind  invitation  contained  in  your  note 
of  yesterday,  I  regret  my  inability  to  make  an  address  upon  the 
interesting  occasion.  It  is,  however,  a  pleasant  official  and  personal 
duty  to  acknowledge,  on  your  anniversary,  the  great  services  to  the 
country  and  to  humanity  rendered  by  the  Christian  Commission 
during  the  period  of  its  labors.  EDWIN  M.  STANTON. 

FROM  SECRETARY  SEWARD. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE,  WASHINGTON,  February  12,  1866. 

Dear  Sir :  The  pressure  of  official  cares  has  prevented  an  earlier 
acknowledgment  of  the  letter  which  you  addressed  to  me  on  the  27th 
of  January  last.  The  condition  of  my  health  deprived  me  of  the 
pleasure  of  accepting  your  invitation  to  attend,  last  evening,  the 
Anniversary  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission.  I  pray 
you  to  accept  now  my  acknowledgment  of  the  great  and  effective 
labors  of  that  Commission.  A  just  account  of  those  labors  will 
constitute,  I  am  sure,  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  pleasing 
episodes  in  the  history  of  the  great  struggle  which  brought  the  Com- 
mission into  being. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  respectfully  and  sincerely, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  H.  SEWARD. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.,  Philadelphia. 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  237 

FROM  CHIEF-JUSTICE  CHASE. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  30,.  1 866. 

My  Dear  Sir:  Your  letter,  asking  my  judgment  of  the  work  of  the 
Christian  Commission  during  the  recent  civil  war,  has  been  received. 
It  was  not  my  privilege  to  participate  directly  in  that  work,  nor  to 
see  much  of  its  immediate  effects  in  the  camps,  or  on  the  battle-fields, 
or  in  the  hospitals.  What  I  know-  of  it  was  chiefly  from  testimony ; 
but  that  testimony  was  ample  and  reliable.  And  I  feel  myself  fully 
warranted  in  saying,  that  no  such  humane  ministration  of  beneficence 
and  loving-kindness  was  ever  witnessed  before  in  any  age  or  country. 
Except  in  a  Christian  land  no  such  ministration  would  be  possible. 
Perhaps  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  it  would  not,  in  this  age,  be 
possible  in  any  Christian  land  except  our  own.  The  responsibility 
which  our  institutions  impose  on  each  citizen  for  the  safety  of  the 
Republic,  and  the  concern  in  every  operation  of  Government  which 
the  personal  interest  of  each  citizen  necessarily  creates,  filled  the 
ranks  of  our  armies  with  hundreds  of  thousands  of  our  best  young 
men. 

The  warm  affections  of  those  they  left  at  home ;  the  obligations  of 
Christian  duty  which  pressed  upon  the  conscience  of  almost  all  men 
and  women  in  our  land,  and  the  spirit  of  self-denying,  fraternal  love 
which  a  free  Christianity  called  into  action  throughout  our  country, 
naturally  found  expression  and  manifestation  in  the  Christian  Com- 
mission. In  what  other  land  do  such  influences  act  so  powerfully  ? 
In  what  other  land  have  they  so  free  a  course  ?  The  work  of  the 
Commission  for  the  war  is  ended.  Its  kindly  ministrations  to  the 
soldiers  of  the  Union,  not  limited  indeed  to  them,  but  freely  extended 
to  sick  or  wounded  or  imprisoned  soldiers,  without  regard  to  uniform 
or  service,  are  no  longer  required  in  camp,  or  field,  or  hospital. 
But  they  will  never  be  forgotten.  No  history  of  the  American  civil 
warj — iet  Us  pray  God  it  may  be  the  last, — will  ever  be  written 
without  affectionate  and  admiring  mention  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. Nor  alone  in  histories  of  the  earth  will  its  record  be  preserved. 
Its  work  reached  beyond  time,  and  its  "  record  is  on  high." 

Yours,  very  truly, 

8.  P.  CHASE. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Philadelphia. 


238  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

FROM  GENERAL  GRANT. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMIES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  1 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  12,  1866.      j 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.:  — 

Dear  Sir :  Your  letter  of  the  10th  instant,  announcing  that  the 
United  States  Christian  Commission  is  on  the  eve  of  closing  its  work, 
is  received.  I  hope  the  same  labor  will  never  be  imposed  on  any 
body  of  citizens  again  in  this  country  as  the  Christian  Commission 
have  gone  through  in  the  last  four  years.  It  affords  me  pleasure  to 
bear  evidence  to  the  services  rendered,  and  the  manner  in  which  they 
have  been  rendered.  By  the  agency  of  the  Commission  much  suffer- 
ing has  been  saved,  on  almost  every  battle-field  and  in  every  hospital 
during  the  late  rebellion.  No  doubt  thousands  of  persons  now  living 
attribute  their  recovery,  in  great  part,  to  volunteer  agencies  sent  to 
the  field  and  hospital  by  the  free  contributions  of  our  loyal  citizens. 
The  United  States  Sanitary  Commission  and  the  United  States  Chris- 
tian Commission  have  been  the  principal  agencies  in  collecting  and 
distributing  their  contributions.  To  them  the  army  feel  the  same 
gratitude  that  the  loyal  public  feel  for  the  services  rendered  by  the 
.  army. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant- General. 


FROM  GENERAL  SHERMAN. 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI,  "i 
ST.  Louis,  January  19,  1866.      / 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.,  Philada.:— 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  your  letter  of  January  15,  asking  an  expression 
of  my  opinion  of  the  operations  of  your  Commission  during  the  war. 
That  the  people  of  the  United  States  should  have  voluntarily  con- 
tributed six  millions  of  dollars  for  the  moral  welfare  of  the  soldiers 
employed,  in  addition  to  other  and  vast  charitable  contributions,  is 
one  of  the  wonders  of  the  world.  That  the  agents  for  the  application 
of  this  charity  did  manifest  a  zeal  and  energy  worthy  the  object,  I 
myself  am  a  willing  witness ;  and  I  would  be  understood  as  heartily 
endorsing,  without  reserve,  their  efforts,  when  applied  to  the  great 
hospitals  and  rendezvous  in  the  rear  of  our  great  armies  At  times 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  239 

I  may  have  displayed  an  impatience  when  the  agents  manifested  an 
excess  of  zeal,  in  pushing  forward  their  persons  and  stores  when  we 
had  no  means  to  make  use  of  their  charities.  But  they  could  hardly 
be  expected  to  measure  the  importance  of  other  interests,  and  I  have 
always  given  them  credit  for  good  and  pure  motives. 

Now  that  the  great  end  is  attained,  and  in  our  quiet  rooms  and 
offices  we  can  look  back  on  the  past  with  composure,  I  am  not  only 
willing,  but  pleased  with  the  opportunity,  to  express  my  belief  that 
your  charity  was  noble  in  its  conception,  and  applied  with  as  much 
zeal,  kindness,  and  discretion  as  the  times  permitted. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  T.  SHERMAN,  Major- General. 


FROM  GENERAL  MEADE. 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OP  THE  ATLANTIC,  1 
PHILADELPHIA,  PA.,  January  17,  1866.      / 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.:— 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication  of  the  15th  instant,  announcing  that  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission  has  finished  its  work  for  the  army  and  navy. 
I  sincerely  congratulate  the  Commission  on  the  successful  termina- 
tion of  their  arduous  and  responsible  labors,  and  am  glad  to  learn 
that  it  is  contemplated  to  publish  in  an  authentic  form  a  record  of 
the  great  work  accomplished. 

So  far  as  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  is  referred  to,  it  affords  im- 
great  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the  invaluable  services  rendered 
by  the  Commission's  field  agents,  not  only  in  ministering  to  the 
spiritual  wants  of  our  brave  soldiers, — the  well,  the  sick,  and  the 
wounded,  —  but  to  their  active  labors  on  the  field  and  in  the  hospi- 
tals, tending  and  nursing  the  sick,  the  wounded,  and  the  dying. 

One  of  the  brightest  pages  in  the  history  of  the  great  war  from 
which  we  have  just  emerged  will  be  the  record  of  the  noble  spirit 
displayed  by  our  people,  in  their  devotion  to  the  wants  and  comforts 
of  our  soldiers.  No  one  not  in  the  field,  and  witnessing  the  scenes 
of  distress  there  exhibited,  can  fully  appreciate  the  services  thus  ren- 
dered to  humanity.  The  United  States  Christian  Commission,  in 
connection  with  the  Sanitary  and  other  associations,  was  conspicuous 


240  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

in  the  great  work  of  love  and  charity,  and  I  am  sure  the  survivors 
of  the  war  will,  like  myself,  ever  have  in  grateful  memory  the  debt 
of  gratitude  so  justly  due  to  it. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  G.  MEADE,  Major- General,  U.  S.  A. 

Lately  commanding  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

FROM  GENERAL  HOWARD. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

BUREAU  OF  REFUGEES,  FREEDMEN,  AND  ABANDONED  LANDS, 
WASHINGTON,  Jan.  20,  1866. 

Dear  Sir :  It  affords  me  unusual  gratification  to  respond  to  your 
kindly  sentiments,  expressed  in  your  letter  just  received. 

Mv  purpose  was  to  be  a  follower  of  Christ,  while  I  stood  in  my 
place  as  a  defender  of  the  integrity  of  the  Government,  and  a  steady 
opponent  of  slavery.  God  has  given  us  our  Government,  and  broken 
the  power  of  slavery,  and  I  try  to  feel  thankful  and  give  him  the 
glory,  and  continue  to  obey  his  behests. 

You  always  had  my  hearty  approval  and  sympathy  in  the  work 
of  the  Christian  Commission.  Your  work  of  physical  relief  is  so  con- 
nected, in  my  recollection,  with  that  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and 
that  of  special  benevolent  associations,  that  I  will  only  say  that, 
wherever  I  found  your  agents,  either  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
of  the  Cumberland,  or  of  the  Tennessee,  I  found  them  faithful  in 
such  things,  to  the  important  trust  committed  to  them.  I  have  seen 
them  among  the  soldiers  in  prayer-meetings,  Sunday-schools,  and  at 
Sunday  services,  and,  without  exception,  they  were  full  of  zeal  and 
energy  in  the  Master's  service.  Their  spiritual  work,  encouraging 
chaplains  and  aiding  them  with  books,  Bibles,  Testaments,  and  with 
themselves,  ready  to  speak  of  Christ  crucified,  at  all  times  and  in  all 
places,  bringing  to  us,  professing  Christians,  cheerful  faces  and  warm 
pressure  of  the  hand,  with  a  "  God  bless  and  protect  you,"  and  fol- 
lowing us  to  every  hospital  and  battle-field,  to  point  to  the  only  Name 
whereby  a  soldier'can  be  saved,  though  he  may  be  ever  so  brave  and 
patriotic, — it  can  never  be  estimated  here  below. 

God  reward  you,  my  dear  sir,  for  the  impulse  you  gave  to  the  great 
work  of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  for  your  indomitable  energy, 
displayed  in  perpetuating  it  till  the  end. 

With  your  strong  faith  in  Christ  you  took  officers,  soldiers,  and 


THE   FOURTH   YEAR.  241 

citizens  in  the  arms  of  your  love,  and  bore  them  right  on,  to  work 
for  our  God  and  for  humanity. 

The  Christian  Commission  has  written  its  record  on  the  tablets  of 
thousands  of  precious  souls,  and  needs  nothing  to  render  it  perpetual, 
for  its  influence  is  eternal. 

Very  gratefully  yours,  in  the  best  of  bonds, 

O.  O.  HOWARD,  Major- General 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

FROM  MAJOR-GENERAL  PATRICK. 

GENEVA,  N.  Y.,  March  21,  1866. 

My  dear  Friend:  Your  letter  of  the  17th  is  at  hand,  asking  me 
for  "  an  expression  of  my  views  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  has  discharged  its  trust."  Why,  my  dear  friend, 
you  might  about  as  well  ask  me  to  give  an  opinion  of  myself. 

The  fact  that  I  have  been  so  intimately  associated  with  the  Execu- 
tive Board,  and  acted  as  General  Counsel  for  the  Officers  and  Agents 
of  the  Commission  in  the  Field,  must  of  necessity  so  influence  my 
opinions  as  to  disqualify  me  for  sitting  in  judgment  upon  its  manage- 
ment and  operations.  Certainly  no  one  in  the  Armies  operating  in 
Virginia  has  had  equal  opportunities  with  myself  for  knowing  the 
work  of  the  Commission,  and  if,  with  this  knowledge,  I  have  given  it 
my  earnest  and  hearty  support  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances, 
no  further  expression  of  mine  can  add  weight  to  former  utterances. 
Organized  at  first  to  meet  a  single  want,  it  continued  to  expand  until 
it  seemed  to  meet  every  want  that  could  arise  in  a  civil  war  of  such 
vast  proportions, — carrying  life,  light,  and  blessing  to  multitudes, 
and  receiving  back  to  itself  the  rich  blessing  of  those  who  were 
ready  to  perish, — a  blessing  that  has  descended  like  the  dew  of 
heaven  upon  its  members  and  Delegates,  by  training  them  for  active 
usefulness  in  civil  life,  as  lay  missionaries,  and  by  giving  to  its 
ministerial  laborers  that  knowledge  of  life  and  men  and  things,  as 
they  are,  that  no  other  school  on  earth  could  give  them. 

Let  it  be  our  prayer,  that  the  good  seed  it  has  so  freely  sown  by  all 
waters  may  continue  to  spring  up  and  bear  fruit  abundantly,  to  the 
glory  of  Him  whose  light  failed  us  never,  even  in  the  days  of  our 
deepest  darkness.  Sincerely  and  fraternally  yours, 

M.  R.  PATRICK. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.,  Philada. 
31 


242  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

FROM  MAJOR-GENERAL  HANCOCK. 
HEADQUARTERS  MIDDLE  MILITARY  DIVISION,  February  10.  1866. 

GEO.  H.  STUAET,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.,  Philada.,  Pa.:  — 

Dear  Sir:  Since  it  has  been  formally  announced  that  the  labors 
of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  for  the  army  and  navy 
have  ended,  I  deem  it  a  fitting  occasion  to  express  to  you  my  belief 
that  the  important  objects  for  which  that  organization  was  inau- 
gurated have  been  faithfully  accomplished,  so  far  as  it  could  be 
expected  they  could  be  practically  performed.  I  think  the  best  test 
of  the  success  of  the  Commission  can  be  found  in  the  sentiments  of 
the  soldiers  of  the  war,  and  so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends  the 
benefits  derived  by  them  from  this  source  were  freely  admitted  and 
strongly  felt.  The  attention  of  the  Commission  to  those  wants  of 
the  soldier  in  the  field,  which  could  not  have  been  otherwise  so  well 
supplied,  causes  a  grateful  feeling  in  return,  as  he  felt  that  they 
replaced  as  far  as  might  be  those  kind  attentions  and  services  which 
were  lost  to  him  when  he  left  his  home  for  the  field. 

I  am  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WINFIELD  S.  HANCOCK,  Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols. 

FROM  MAJOR-GENERAL  THOMAS. 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  TENNESSEE,  "» 
NASHVILLE,  TENN.,  January  21,  1866.     / 

Mr.  GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.,  Philada. :  — 

Sir :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
dated  January  15,  1866,  showing  that  the  United  States  Christian 
Commission  had  finished  its  work,  and  that  it  has  expended 
six  millions  of  dollars  ($6,000,000),  contributed  by  the  good  people 
of  the  land  in  its  labor  of  love  and  charity,  for  the  benefit  of  our 
soldiers  and  sailors,  who  have  providentially  been  the  means  of 
saving  and  perpetuating  our  form  of  Government ;  also  delicately 
acknowledging  your  appreciation  of  duties  performed  at  these  head- 
quarters in  behalf  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission. 

I  congratulate  you  that,  being  no  longer  necessary,  your  Christian, 
faithful,  and  laborious  duties  are  ended.  I  consider  that  the  organi- 
zation and  action  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission,  as 
developed  in  its  results,  have  saved  many  lives  and  furnished  com- 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  243 

fort  to  many  a  soldier,  who  without  its  aid  must  have  suffered.  I 
also  desire  to  say  that  the  works  of  the  Christian  Commission  furnish 
an  excellent  record,  and  that  its  assistance  has  been  a  useful  agency 
in  helping  to  end  the  rebellion,  and  again  bring  about  in  this  country 
an  exemplification  of  the  true  Christian  principle  of  "peace  on  earth 
and  good  will  toward  men." 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  H.  THOMAS,  Maj.-  Gen.  U.  S.  A.,  Commanding. 

FROM  MAJOR-GENERAL  BURNSIDE. 

PROVIDENCE,  March  20,  1866. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  <?..— 

Dear  Sir :  1  beg  to  thank  you  and  the  noble  Commission  of  which 
you  have  been  at  the  head,  for  your  efficient  and  useful  labors  in 
the  field  during  the  late  rebellion.  It  has  been  my  happiness  to  wit- 
ness many  of  these  labors,  and  I  can  truly  say  that  the  country  owes 
you  and  your  associates  an  everlasting  debt  of  gratitude,  for  your 
good  works  which  have  been  so  bountifully  bestowed  upon  her 
soldiers  in  the  field. 

Your  expression  of  thanks  for  my  co-operation  and  sympathy  is 
most  gratifying  to  me.  I  esteem  it  a  high  honor  to  have  been  in  any 
way  connected  with  the  valuable  work  of  your  Commission. 

Truly  your  friend, 

A.  E.  BURNSIDE. 

FROM  MAJOR-GENERAL  BUTLER. 

KIUKWOOD  HOUSE,     1 
WASHINGTON,  B.C.,  Jan.  26,  1866.  I 

Dear  Sir :  I  envy  you  and  your  associates  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission the  grateful  sense  of  a  noble  work  well  done,  with  which, 
in  closing  its  labors,  you  can  review  the  doings  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission. Perhaps  the  appreciation  may  be  more  vivid  in  my  par- 
ticular case,  because  I  saw  day  by  day  the  good  your  Christian 
charity  dispensed  in  hospitals,  in  camps,  and  even  on  the  battle-field. 
Wants  were  supplied,  distresses  mitigated,  comforts  brought  to  the 
sick,  and  wounded,  and  dying.  But  this  physical  relief  was  the  least 
of  the  results  of  the  work  of  the  Commission.  The  fact  that  Chris- 
tinn  men  and  women  were,  with  active  benevolence,  at  home,  busy 
in  behalf  of  the  soldier,  gave  a  moral  support,  connected  with  the 
spiritual  consolation  afforded  by  the  agents  in  the  field,  which  was 


244  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

of  the  utmost  value.  Indeed,  I  think  it  largely  due  to  the  connec- 
tions of  the  soldier  with  his  home  and  citizenship,  thus  kept  up  by 
yours  and  kindred  associations,  that  the  country  is  indebted  for  the 
sublime  but  before  unwitnessed  spectacle,  of  an  army  of  more  than 
a  million  of  veteran  soldiers,  on  the  approach  of  peace,  changing  at 
once  without  shock  into  a  like  number  of  quiet,  orderly,  valuable 
citizens. 

It  is  not  the  least  of  the  pleasant  memories  I  have  of  service  in  the 
field  that  I  was  able  to  assist  your  generous  labors,  for  the  temporal 
and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Army  of  the  James.  That  my  endea- 
vors obtained  the  approbation  of  the  noble  men  and  women  of  the 
Commission,  is  to  me  the  highest  honor. 

Truly  your  friend  and  servant, 

BENJ.  F.  BUTLER. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.,  Philada.,  Pa. 


FROM  MAJOR-GENERAL  ORD. 

•^ 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  OHIO, 

DETROIT,  MICHIGAN,  Jan.  22,  1866. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  C.  C.,  Philada.,  Pa.: — 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  January  15,  asking 
for  such  testimony  as  I  can  give  as  to  the  results  achieved  by  the 
Christian  Commission,  within  the  Army  of  the  James,  and  the  De- 
partment of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  while  under  my  command. 
I  can  with  pleasure  state  that  the  troops  in  that  army  are  indebted 
to  the  untiring  energy  of  the  agents  of  your  Commission,  both  in  the 
Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  Corps,  during  their  field  service, 
and  while  lying  in  the  trenches  before  Richmond,  for  both  moral  and 
physical  aid  and  comfort,  which  only  those  present  can  appreciate  at 
its  true  value ;  churches  and  school-houses,  or  tents,  were  erected, 
each  Division  was  supplied  with  teachers  and  preachers,  who,  unde- 
terred by  hardship  or  exposure,  unappalled  by  danger,  were  con- 
tinually with  the  men  in  front,  and,  when  sickness  and  death  threat- 
ened them,  were  at  their  sides,  with  such  consolation  as  only  a 
Christian  friend  can  give  at  that  time.  The  good  thus  done,  and  the 
physical  aid  and  comforts  administered,  can  never  be  estimated.  The 
prayers  and  blessings  of  sick  and  dying  soldiers,  the  thanks  of  the 
no  longer  ignorant,  will  linger  in  the  memory  of  your  agents,  and  be 


THE   FOURTH    YEAR.  245 

repeated  to  their  children,  as,  next  to  the  approbation  of  God,  the 
highest  reward  a  good  man  can  receive.  And  after  the  soldier'g 
work  was  done,  and  the  impoverished  cities  of  the  South  came  into 
the  possession  of  our  armies,  the  agents  of  your  Commission  were 
among  the  first  there  to  feed  the  crowd  of  hungry,  almost  starving, 
poor,  who,  while  the  means  lasted,  were  never  turned  away  empty- 
handed  from  their  doors. 

What  aid  I  could  give-  the  modest,  unassuming  Christian  gentle- 
men who  were  with  the  troops  I  commanded,  as  Christian  Commis- 
sioners, was  always  given  with  pleasure.     I  knew  they  would  give 
a  good  account  of  their  stewardship. 
I  am,  sir,  yours  truly, 

E.  O.  C.  ORD,  Major- General  Commanding. 

FROM  SURGEOX-GEXERAL  BARXES. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  SURGEON-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  "I 
WASHINGTON-,  D.  C.,  January  15,  1866.      / 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ., Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C.:  — 

Sir:  I  congratulate  you  that  the  work  of  your  Association  is 
drawing  to  a  close,  with  such  flattering  evidence  of  the  energy  and 
success  with  which  its  objects  have  been  accomplished. 

It  is  not  only  within  my  own  observation,  but  is  also  the  testimony 
of  medical  officers  generally,  that  the  United  States  Christian  Com- 
mission has  always  co-operated  zealously  and  efficiently  with  the 
proper  authorities,  complying  cheerfully  with  the  conditions  upon 
which  the  fullest  aid  of  this  Department  has  always  been  extended 
to  it,  in  the  humaneeffort  to  convey  relief  and  comfort  to  our  soldiers 
both  in  the  field  and  in  hospital. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  K.  BARNES,  Surgeon- General. 

FROM  QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL  MEIG8. 

QCARTERMASTER-GEXERAL'S  OFFICE,  > 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C..  January  16,  1866.      / 

GEO,  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  a  S.  C.  C.,  PhUa.,  Pa..— 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  15th  instant,  in 
which,  on  the  part  of  the  Christian  Commission,  you  acknowledge 
the  cordial  aid  received  by  the  Commission  from  the  officers  of  the 
Quartermaster's  Department,  under  my  orders  and  instructions. 


246  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Please  accept  my  thanks  for  the  graceful  and  gratifying  terms  in 
which  this  co-operation  and  assistance,  on  the  part  of  the  Quarter- 
master's Department,  have  been  acknowledged.  I  have  had  occa- 
sion to  notice  the  operations  of  the  Commission  during  my  occasional 
visits  to  the  front,  and  I  gladly  bear  testimony  to  the  good  which  I 
personally  saw  them  doing.  At  Chattanooga,  during  the  dreary 
davs  of  want  and  suffering  following  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
the  agents  of  the  Christian  Commission  moved  among  the  sick  and 
wounded,  carrying  spiritual  consolation  to  the  bed-sides  of  the  suffer- 
ing and  dying.  These  agents  conducted  religious  services  in  the 
churches  of  Chattanooga,  well  attended  by  the  soldiers,  until  the 
return  of  our  wounded  sent  in  by  the  rebels  under  flag-of-truce  made 
it  necessary  to  occupy  every  church  building  as  a  hospital.  I  my- 
self gladly  attended  these  services,  and  recognized  in  the  agents  of 
the  Commission  a  pure  and  patriotic  religious  zeal.  At  Belle  Plain, 
when  through  that  place  were  passing  the  tens  of  thousands  of 
wounded  removed  from  the  battlefields  of  the  Wilderness  and  Spott- 
sylvania,  and  in  the  crowded  hospitals  and  churches  of  Fredericks- 
burg,  filled  with  those  too  much  injured  to  be  removed,  I  again  met 
the  agents  of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  found  them  perform- 
ing those  services,  which  in  a  loyal  district  would  be  offered  to  the 
sick  and  wounded  by  sympathizing  residents.  While  not  familiar 
with  the  general  operations  of  the  Commission,  I  can  speak  of  these 
examples  from  personal  knowledge,  and  I  have  heard  none  but 
favorable  reports  of  their  conduct  wherever  they  have  penetrated. 

Congratulating  you  upon  the  good  record  of  the  Commission,  and 
rejoicing  that  the  final  victory  of  truth  and  freedom  has  relieved  its 
members  of  their  labors,  I  am,  very  respectfully  and  truly, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

M.  C.  MEIGS,  Quartermaster- General, 

Brevet  Major-  General  U.  S.  A. 

FROM  VICE-ADMIRAL  FARRAGUT. 
43  EAST  THIRTY-SIXTH  STREET,  NEW  YORK,  January  18,  1866. 

Dear  Sir :  I  feel  satisfied  that  no  one  would  bear  higher  testimony 
in  behalf  of  the  Christian  Commission  than  myself.  Although,  from 
our  peculiar  organization  and  the  smallness  of  our  numbers,  we  were 
less  dependent  in  the  navy  than  in  the  army  upon  its  bounties,  still 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  247 

we  always  had  the  assurance  from  its  benevolent  agents  that  we 
could  have  everything  we  desired,  but  our  knowledge  of  the  fact 
that  our  brethren  of  the  army  were  liable  to  a  greater  accumulation 
of  suffering  and  privations,  owing  to  the  difficulties  of  transportation, 
etc.,  made  us  always  content  that  they  should  be  recipients  of  the 
greatest  amount  of  your  benevolence,  and  it  is  certain  that  wherever 
I  went  I  always  heard  the  Christian  Commission,  its  generous  phi- 
lanthropy and  patriotic  devotion,  most  warmly  extolled.  My  per- 
sonal admiration  of  the  generosity  and  sacrifices  made  by  many  of 
your  noble  Society  is  unbounded,  and  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  receive 
the  blessings  of  God  and  of  the  whole  country. 

Please  convey  to  your  associates  in  the  Commission  these  my  sen- 
timents of  high  appreciation,  and  accept  yourself  my  sincere  esteem. 
Very  respectfully, 

D.  G.  FARRAGUT,  Vice- Admiral. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C. 


SPEECH  OF  CHARLES  DEMOND. 

Mr.  Colfax  now  introduced  Charles  Deniond,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  who  addressed 
the  audience  as  follows  :  — 

I  have  been  asked  to  speak,  as  one  of  the  original  members  of  the 
Christian  Commission  and  of  its  Executive  Committee.  It  was  my 
good  fortune  to  draw  the  resolutions  which  were  adopted  in  the  Con- 
vention that  formed  the  Christian  Commission,  held  in  New  York, 
November  14,  1861 ;  and  I  have  had  the  privilege  of  aiding  in  its 
management  ever  since.  Its  object,  as  stated  in  those  resolutions, 
was  to  promote  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  the  soldiers  and 
sailors.  Our  sons  and  brothers  had  left  the  comforts,  privileges,  and 
safeguards  of  home,  to  meet  in  our  behalf  the  privations,  the  temp- 
tations, and  the  perils  of  war.  We  desired  to  carry  to  them  in  the 
camp,  the  hospital,  and  on  the  battle-field,  so  far  as  practicable,  the 
kind  care,  the  sympathy,  and  the  religious  privileges  of  home.  This 
has  been  the  great  aim  of  the  Commission  during  its  whole  exist- 
ence, and  has  called  forth  all  its  varied  and  wonderful  ministrations. 

On  the  10th  of  December,  1861,  seven  of  us  met  in  this  city  to  see 
what  could  be  done,  and  to  devise  means.  We  continued  in  session 
three  days,  visiting  in  the  meantime  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  then 


248  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

encamped  just  across  the  river,  and  calling  upon  the  President  and 
Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Navy.  The  President  expressed  a  deep 
interest  in  the  proposed  work,  and  we  have  good  reason  to  know  that 
this  interest  continued  and  increased,  so  long  as  he  was  spared  to 
guide  and  bless  the  people  whom  he  so  loved,  and  who  so  loved  him. 
The  Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Navy  cheered  us  by  the  promise  of 
all  proper  facilities,  and  General  Cameron,  then  Secretary  of  War, 
gave  us  courage  by  telling  us,  in  most  decided  tones,  that  what  we 
proposed  to  do  was  just  what  was  needed;  that  the  nation  was  en- 
gaged in  a  religious  war,  and  our  work  would  give  courage  to  the 
men  and  help  the  Government;  and,  continued  he,  "this  depart- 
ment will  aid  you  all  it  properly  can," — a  promise  most  nobly  kept 
by  him,  and  by  the  great  man  who  succeeded  him,  to  whom  we  are 
all  so  much  indebted  for  the  successful  termination  of  the  war.  In 
our  visit  to  the  camp  we  were  astonished  at  the  eagerness  of  the  men 
for  religious  reading  and  instruction,  and  at  the  vast  work  ready  and 
urgent  to  be  done.  We  stopped  at  Falls  Church,  then  used  as  a 
hospital, — a  sad  scene  of  suffering  and  need.  We  spoke  kind  words 
to  all  the  brave  sufferers,  and  then  Rev.  Dr.  Neale,  of  Boston,  one  of 
our  number,  prayed  with  and  for  some  who  were  very  sick.  The 
next  morning,  on  taking  up  the  daily  paper  here,  we  saw  that  two 
of  those  brave  men  had  died  during  the  night.  This  day's  experi- 
ence gave  us  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  that  there  was  a  vast 
work  to  be  done,  and  that  what  we  did  for  many  a  noble  man  must 
.be  done  quickly.  With  this  impression  strong  in  our  hearts,  and 
without  one  dollar  in  the  treasury,  we  left  this  city  to  begin  our 
work.  The  result,  so  far  as  words  and  figures  can  tell,  you  have 
heard.  In  view  of  these  results  we  may  reverently  say,  "  It  is  the 
Lord's  doings,  and  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  But  no  words  or 
figures  can  give  any  adequate  idea  of  the  good  done,  the  men  com- 
forted, the  lives  saved,  the  souls  directed  to  heaven. 

Allow  me  now,  sir,  to  allude  briefly  to  some  of  the  causes  of  this 
wonderful  success.  The  first  great  cause,  of  course,  was  the  remark- 
able readiness  of  the  people  of  the  whole  North  to  do  and  give  every- 
thing that  Avould  aid  the  nation  in  its  gigantic  struggle  for  life.  To 
save  the  Government,  at  any  cost  of  life  or  treasure,  was  the  determi- 
nation that  sent  our  best  and  noblest  young  men  to  the  field  of  strife; 
that  put  three  thousand  millions  of  dollars  into  our  national  treasury ; 


THE   FOURTH   YEAR.  249 

that  poured  out  millions  more  to  care  for,  comfort  and  cheer  the  be- 
loved ones  given  up  for  the  country ;  and  that  gave  fervency  and  con- 
tinuance to  the  prayers  that  went  up  to  God  from  so  many  millions 
of  hearts  and  family  altars.  But  the  Christian  Commission  attrib- 
utes its  success,  among  the  soldiers,  largely  to  the  character  of  its 
laborers  and  of  their  work  in  the  army.  In  each  great  army,  and  in 
nearly  every  corps,  the  Commission  had  a  few  men  who  were  paid 
small  salaries,  and  who  remained  permanently  to  direct  the  work. 
With  them,  and  under  their  direction,  labored  a  large  number  of 
men  whom  we  called  Delegates.  A  Delegate  was  one  who  would 
give  six  weeks'  time  in  the  army,  without  compensation, — the  Com- 
mission paying  his  expenses.  By  the  kindness  of  the  railroads  all 
over  the  land,  in  giving  passes,  their  expenses  were  small.  Thus 
most  of  the  work  of  this  noble  charity  in  the  army  has  been  done  by 
men  who  have  received  no  pay,  who  left  the  comforts  of  home  and 
met  the  hardships  of  the  camp  simply  to  do  good  to  the  bodies  and 
souls  of  the  soldiers.  All  the  men  sent  out  by  this  Commission  pro- 
fessed to  have  adopted,  as  the  rule  of  their  lives,  the  precepts  and 
example  of  the  blessed  Lord,  who  left  the  glories  of  heaven  to  seek 
and  save  the  lost.  As  they  were  commissioned  they  were  told  to  go 
to  the  army,  and  in  camp  and  on  the  battle-field,  in  the  hospital  and 
by  the  way,  to  do  for  those  they  met  "  whatsoever  they  would  that 
men  should  do  unto  them."  And  I  think  I  am  authorized  to  say  that 
never,  since  that  wonderful  saying  fell  from  the  lips  of  Jesus,  has  its 
spirit  been  more  fully,  nobly,  and  heroically  carried  into  practice 
than  by  these  Delegates.  Nearly  five  thousand  such  men  have  gone 
to  the  army  to  labor,  "  without  money  and  without  price."  In  this 
work  judges  have  left  the  bench,  professors  their  chairs,  clergymen 
their  parishes,  lawyers  their  briefs,  doctors  their  patients,  merchants 
their  goods,  mechanics  their  shops,  students  their  books,  and  even 
members  of  Congress  their  seats.  Like  the  Master,  they  cared  for 
the  body  in  all  its  wants,  and  at  the  same  time  offered  the  bread  and 
water  of  life  to  the  hungry,  fainting  souls. 

Allow  me  to  give  a  few  specimens  of  their  work.  After  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg  a  Delegate  from  Maine,  a  brother  of  the  gallant  Gene- 
ral Chamberlain,  heard  just  at  night  of  a  hospital,  some  miles  away, 
that  had  not  been  visited.  Though  wearied  with  the  labors  of  the 
day,  he  went  to  it  at  once  on  foot.  He  found  the  head  surgeon  sick, 

32 


250  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  the  assistant  overwhelmed  with  the  care  of  some  two  hundred 
wounded,  and  no  stores  or  comforts.  He  told  the  doctor  that  there 
was  a  station  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  within  a  mile,  and  asked 
why  he  had  not  got  stores.  The  doctor  said  he  did  not  know  how  to 
get  them.  The  Delegate  wrote  an  order  on  the  Sanitary  Commission, 
the  doctor  signed  it,  and  the  Delegate  went  to  the  station  of  the  Sani- 
tary Commission  and  found  that  they  had  gone  away.  What  was  to 
be  done  ?  It  was  late ;  he  was  very  weary.  It  was  nearly  five  miles 
to  Gettysburg,  where  was  the  station  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
and  the  road  was  hard,  and  the  streams  all  high  and  swollen.  But 
the  men  were  suffering,  and  there  was  no  one  but  him  to  help.  He 
took  the  long  and  lonely  walk,  and  very  early  the  next  morning  the 
wagon  of  the  Christian  Commission  was  at  that  hospital,  laden  with 
stores  and  comforts  for  the  heroic  sufferers.  The  same  Delegate 
came  one  day  upon  an  out-of-doors  hospital,  where  the  men  were 
lying  in  the  July  sun,  with  no  shelter.  After  looking  a  moment  he 
took  a  stone  and  stick,  and  arranged  the  blanket  of  a  soldier  so  as  to 
shield  his  face.  Others  caught  the  idea,  and  soon  every  one  in  the 
hospital  was  sheltered  from  the  burning  and  torturing  blaze  of  the 
sun. 

These  are  but  specimens  of  the  work.  Whatever  was  needed  by 
suffering  humanity  was  done  by  these  men,  who  at  home  were  not 
accustomed  to  labor  or  privation.  They  labored  hard ;  they  lived 
upon  camp  fare ;  they  slept  often  upon  the  ground.  Many  of  them 
gave  up  their  lives,  a  willing  sacrifice,  and  at  least  one-half  of  them 
came  home  sick,  and  all  this  from  love  to  Christ  and  men.  Thou- 
sands of  lives  were  saved,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  sufferers  were 
relieved. 

Need  I  say  that  when  these  men  told  the  soldier,  —  by  his  bedside 
in  the  hospital,  from  the  pulpits  of  the  hundreds  of  chapels  of  the 
Christian  Commission,  or  by  the  camp-fire  under  the  blue  arch  of 
heaven, — of  that  Jesus  in  whose  name  they  came,  the  power  of 
wrhose  gospel  sent  them  there,  the  message  was  gladly  received,  the 
heart  was  open  and  tender,  and  that  many  and  many  a  noble  veteran 
enlisted  under  the  banner  of  the  cross  ?  From  all  parts  of  the  army, 
East  and  West,  and  from  the  almost  innumerable  hospitals  of  the 
land,  came  up  tidings  of  wonderful  conversions  and  reformations,  by 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands ;  the  moral  tone  of  the  army  Avas 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  251 

raised,  and  its  military  efficiency  increased.  Before  such  self-deny- 
ing labors  prejudices  disappeared  and  ignorance  was  turned  into 
admiration. 

At  the  time  of  Lee's  first  invasion  of  Maryland  some  Delegates 
were  sent  to  Fairfax  Station,  to  be  ready  when  the  wounded  should 
come  in.  There  was  a  quartermaster  in  charge  who  had  never  heard 
of  the  Christian  Commission.  He  told  the  Delegates  he  could  do 
nothing,  for  them.  It  was  Sunday,  and  they  could  not  buy  any  food. 
Their  stores  had  not  arrived,  and  all  the  food  they  had  was  given 
them  by  a  negro.  At  night  the  quartermaster  told  them  they  looked 
like  gentlemen  and  he  did  not  wish  to  have  them  lie  out  of  doors, 
and  they  might  sleep  in  a  barn  he  had  charge  of.  Early  next 
morning  Mr.  Cole,  our  Field  Agent,  came  into  the  place  with  stores 
and  the  news  that  the  wounded  would  soon  be  there.  At  once  they 
went  to  the  station,  prepared  bread,  jelly  and  coffee,  and  as  the 
wounded  arrived,  tenderly  took  them  from  the  cars,  fed  and  bathed 
them,  and  cared  for  their  wants.  The  quartermaster  stood  by  and 
watched  them,  tears  began  to  roll  down  his  cheeks,  and  going  up  to 
them  he  said,  "Is  that  what  you  do?  I  never  heard  of  you, — what 
can  I  do? — for  you  shall  have  everything  you  want." 

The  favor  and  love  of  the  army  were  with  these  men,  and  were 
most  touchingly  expressed  by  a  soldier  who  had  been  cared  for  by 
•us,  and  was  told  he  had  but  five  minutes  to  live.  "  Raise  me  to  my 
knees,"  he  said,  "  that  I  may  pray  for  the  Christian  Commission." 

After  the  battles  of  General  Sheridan,  in  the  Valley  of  the  Shen- 
andoah,  the  wounded  were  carried  some  twenty  miles  in  ambulances 
to  Martinsburg,  to  take  the  cars.  We  had  a  station  nearly  a  mile 
from  the  depot,  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Harding,  of  Maine,  had 
charge.  When  the  first  train  came  in  Mr.  Harding  found  that  no 
preparation  had  been  made  to  feed  and  care  for  the  men,  wearied, 
hungry,  and  suffering  from  the  long  and  agonizing  ride.  He  at  once 
went  to  his  tent,  prepared  a  large  iron  kettle  full  of  hot  tea,  took 
bread  and  jellies,  and,  assisted  by  another  clergyman,  carried  his 
kettle  on  a  pole  to  the  depot,  fed  all  the  men,  washed  their  faces  and 
hands,  and  then  tenderly  helped  them  into  the  cars,  —  doing  all  that 
he  could  for  their  comfort.  After  this,  the  man  in  charge  of  each 
successive  train  rode  ahead,  and  notified  him  of  the  approach  of  the 
wounded,  and  they  received  like  care,  till  about  2,500  men 


252  ANNALS    OF   THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

through  his  hands,  all  of  whom  received  their  sole  nourishment  from 
him  and  his  associates. 

The  fact  that  the  Delegates  were  just  from  the  North,  and  often 
brought  news  from  loved  ones  at  home,  gave  them  additional  favor 
with  the  army.  Their  hearts  were  warm.  They  had  not  become 
accustomed  to  the  sad  and  necessary  scenes  of  military  life,  and 
they  were  ready  to  sympathize  with  all  who  were  in  sorrow  of  body 
or  mind.  This  the  soldiers  knew  and  appreciated.  One  day  a  sol- 
dier came  into  one  of  our  tents  in  Virginia,  sat  down,  and  said  he 
wanted  a  little  talk  with  us.  He  was  in  trouble,  and  told  his  story. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bailey,  of  New  Hampshire,  the  Delegate,  said  kindly  in 
reply,  "  Well,  my  good  friend,  I  am  sorry  for  you,  but  we  can  do 
nothing  for  you."  "  I  know  you  cannot,"  said  he,  "  but  I  thought  a 
word  or  two  of  sympathy  from  a  Christian  man  would  help  me  a  good 
deal."  Said  a  fine  young  soldier  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, "There  is  one  thing  we  can  get  only  from  you  gentlemen, 
and  that's  sympathy."  How  precious  at  such  times  must  have  been 
a  word  of  kindness  and  sympathy  to  a  soldier,  far  from  home,  and 
under  the  stern  rules  and  regulations  of  war.  The  scenes  and  dan- 
gers of  war  naturally  caused  the  soldier  to  think  upon  his  relations 
to,  and  preparation  for,  a  future  life.  Fresh  recruits  might  be  light, 
and  speak  triflingly  of  the  fight  and  the  charge,  but  in  the  Army 
of  the  Union  most  of  the  veterans  were  accustomed  to  think  seri- 
ously, and  in  the  terrible  light  of  the  battlefield  the  old  impressions 
of  Sabbath  and  church,,  and  the  early  instructions  of  childhood, 
were  often  brought  to  view  with  fearful  distinctness.  Such  impres- 
sions were  seized  upon  by  the  Delegate,  and  frequently  proved  the 
voice  of  God  calling  his  wandering  children  back  to  himself.  There 
was  a  man  wounded  in  the  first  day's  fight  at  Pittsburg  Landing. 
He  lay  all  Sunday  night  in  a  tent,  held  by  the  rebels,  on  the  ground, 
in  the  mud,  uncared  for.  During  the  long  and  terrible  night,  amid 
the  rain  and  roar  of  the  artillery,  there  came  vividly  back  to  him 
the  text  and  all  the  argument  of  a  sermon  he  had  heard  twenty 
years  before.  The  next  day,  when  our  troops  succeeded,  he  was 
rescued  and  taken  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  cared  for  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  The  Holy  Spirit 
sent  home  the  impression  of  that  night,  and  that  seed,  twenty  years 
buried,  sprang  up  and  brought  forth  fruit  in  his  conversion.  He 


THE  FOURTH    YEAR.  253 

lived  six  weeks,  to  give  testimony  to  God's  goodness,  and  died  in 
joy  and  hope,  his  last  words  being,  "My  God — my  country — my 
mother ! "  4 

These  Delegates,  on  their  return  home,  were  the  main  dependence 
of  the  Commission  in  the  raising  of  funds  and  stores.  Every  Dele- 
gate told  his  story  of  what  he  had  seen  and  done  in  the  army,  often 
many  times,  and  funds  poured  in  without  the  cost  of  agents  to  col- 
lect. One  Delegate  in  my  own  State,  a  merchant,  spent  his  six 
weeks  in  the  army,  leaving  his  business,  and  then  upon  his  return 
told  his  story  several  times  each  Sabbath,  for  nearly  six  months, 
obtaining  many  thousands  of  dollars  at  no  cost  to  the  Commission. 
Others  did  nearly  as  much.  People  seemed  anxious  to  send  of  their 
abundance  to  those  who  were  in  the  post  of  danger  and  suffering. 
Some  of  the  most  delightful  memories  of  my  life  are  in  connection 
with  this  free  giving.  It  was  my  privilege,  with  others,  to  sit  on  the 
Exchange  in  Boston,  after  the  battles  of  Gettysburg,  the  Wilderness, 
and  after  the  taking  of  Richmond,  to  receive  the  voluntary  offerings 
of  the  people  for  the  relief  of  the  wounded.  No  one  was  asked  to 
give.  No  attempt  was  made  to  awaken  enthusiasm,  except  by  giving 
notice  in  each  day's  papers  of  the  fact,  and  of  the  sums  given.  In  a 
few  days,  on  the  first  occasion,  $35,000  were  handed  in;  on  the 
second  occasion,  over  $60,000;  and  on  the  third,  $30,000.  These 
munificent  sums  were  made  up  of  comparatively  small  contributions, 
—  only  one  sum  as  large  as  $1,000  was  given,  and  from  that  to  ten 
cents.  It  was  a  movement  of  the  people.  At  times  there  was  a 
crowd  around  the  tables,  and  many  were  waiting  their  turn  to  give. 
When  we  were  receiving  money,  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  one 
day  there  was  written  upon  the  great  blackboard  on  which  were  put 
the  telegraph  dispatches, 

"  Vicksburg  has  surrendered.  U.  S.  GRANT." 

Instantly  shouts  went  up  from  the  assembled  merchants.  They  all 
uncovered  and  joined  in  singing 

"Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow,"  etc. 

Some  one  said,  "  Let  us  show  our  gratitude  by  our  gifts,"  and  the 
crowd  came  to  our  table,  and  for  some  time  we  could  not  take  the 


254  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

money  as  fast  as  it  was  offered.  The  manner  of  giving  \vas  equally 
remarkable.  "This  is  my  thank-offering,"  was  a  frequent  remark; 
"  We  must  take  care  of  the  boys  who  fight  for  us,"  another ;  while  a 
large  proportion  said  with  a  smile,  "  If  you  want  more,  call  on  me." 
Contributions  soon  began  to  come  in  by  mail,  on  each  occasion,  and 
continued  after  we  had  left  the  Exchange,  until  the  sums  received 
were  $100,000,  $60,000,  and  850,000. 

But  large  as  these  gifts  were,  there  are  others  that  in  the  sight  of 
heaven  are  larger,  I  think.  An  old  lady,  eighty  years  of  age,  lived 
in  Amherst,  Massachusetts,  and  supported  herself  by  her  needle. 
She  walked  several  miles  to  bring  to  her  pastor  this  five -cent  bill 
(holding  it  up  before  the  audience),  that  he  might  send  it  to  me  to 
aid  the  suffering  soldiers.  Twenty  years  ago  a  dying  mother  gave  to 
her  daughter  this  silver  dollar  (exhibiting  it).  She  carefully  kept 
the  last  gift  of  her  beloved  mother  till  she  heard  of  the  work  of  the 
Commission.  Then  she  said,  "  If  my  mother  were  living  I  know  she 
would  give  this  dollar  to  help  the  soldiers,  so  I  will  do  what  I  think 
she  would  do,"  and  she  put  the  dear  memento  into  our  treasury.  A 
widow  in  New  Hampshire  sent  her  only  son  to  Avar.  He  fell  and 
was  buried  in  Virginia.  When  she  heard  of  what  was  being  done 
and  what  was  needed  in  the  army,  she  gave  this  her  wedding  ring 
(showing  it)  to  help  the  noble  sufferers.  Such  benevolence  makes 
even  the  smoke  and  carnage  of  our  terrible  battles  radiant  with  the 
reflected  brightness  of  heaven. 

Incidentally  the  Christian  Commission  has  done  much  to  aid  the 
Government,  both  by  raising  the  tone  of  the  army  and  by  promoting 
patriotism  at  home.  All  of  its  nearly  five  thousand  Delegates  have 
been  not  only  Christians,  but  thoroughly  loyal  men,  and  their  ad- 
dresses at  home,  as  well  as  in  the  army,  have  ever  been  unmistakably 
on  the  side  of  the  Government,  and  this  at  some  periods  of  the  war 
has  been  an  element  of  much  importance  and  power. 

Another  incidental  result  of  the  Commission  was  a  Christian  union, 
in  full  and  perfect  operation,  in  the  only  way  in  which  it  has  seemed 
to  me  possible,  by  the  working  together  in  a  great  cause  of  those  who 
differ  in  non-essential  points  of  belief.  When  men  labor  and  suf- 
fer together,  for  the  one  Lord  whom  they  all  love  and  by  whose 
death  they  all  live,  there  is  Christian  union  indeed,  such  as  no  high 
sounding  resolutions  can  produce.  All  differences  disappear  from 


THE    FOURTH   YEAR.  255 

sight.  In  the  tents  of  the  Commission  were  found  often  as  many 
denominations  as  men ;  and  as  they  sung,  prayed,  preached,  and 
labored  together,  there  was  no  rivalry,  except  in  good  works.  I 
know  of  no  trouble  in  the  army  from  denominational  jealousy,  and 
in  the  home  field  the  denominations  have  worked  together  in  the 
same  harmony.  May  we  not  hope  that  this  army  work,  so  strange, 
so  unique  in  the  world's  history,  may  be  the  beginning  of  the  day 
when  alHhe  branches  of  the  host  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus,  like  the 
different  corps  of  a  great  army,  shall  march  together  under  one 
leader, —  striving  only  in  this,  that  each  shall  do  its  part  in  hastening 
on  the  time  when  the  kingdoms  of  this  earth  "shall  become  the  king- 
dom of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ?" 

Such  are  some  of  the  results  of  the  Commission.  Formed  in  weak- 
ness, yet  in  humble  dependence  upon  God,  we  believe  it  has  received 
his  favor  and  blessing,  and  been  the  means  not  only  of  giving  un- 
speakable comfort  to  the  body,  but  of  shedding  the  light  of  heaven 
into  the  dark  valley,  as  thousands  of  our  noble  and  heroic  ones  have 
walked  therein.  At  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  during  one  of  the 
lulls  of  the  terrible  fight,  a  youthful  voice  was  heard  calling  for  aid. 
Soon  it  was  drowned  by  the  tumult  of  battle.  After  the  fight  was 
over  some  soldiers  went  to  look  for  the  sufferer.  On  going  through 
some  high  bushes  they  saw  a  soldier  boy  of  about  sixteen,  sitting  up 
against  a  tree.  As  they  came  near  they  saw  that  both  his  feet  had 
been  carried  away  by  a  cannon  ball.  Upon  his  lap  lay  his  open 
Bible.  His  eyes  were  raised  to  heaven.  A  look  of  joy  was  on  his 
face,  while  his  finger,  stiff  and  cold  in  death,  was  laid  upon  this  verse 
of  the  23d  Psalm,  "  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me ;  thy  rod 
and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me." 

I  have  detained  you  too  long  already,  but  I  cannot  refrain  from 
alluding  to  the  song  next  to  be  sung,  which  so  beautifully  and  touch- 
ingly  sets  forth  the  principle  that  has  guided  us  in  all  our  labors,— 
"  The  doing  with  all  our  ability  the  work  immediately  before  us." 
This  song  was  sung  at  our  anniversary,  held  here  one  year  ago,  by 
the  accomplished  musician  who  will  to-night  delight  us  again.  Among 
the  hearers  was  the  great,  good,  gentle  President  Lincoln.  He  was 
moved  even  to  tears  by  its  touching  melody,  and  at  his  request  it  was 
repeated.  He  is  not  with  us  now.  In  the  simple  words  of  the  song, 


256  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

in  the  conflict  he  has  proved  himself  a  soldier  true,  with  malice 
toward  none,  with  charity  to  all.  "  He  has  been  a  true  disciple," 
and  is  now,  we  doubt  not,  "  sitting  at  his  Saviour's  feet,"  joining 
heart  and  voice  in  the  song,  more  sweet,  more  loud,  the  "Song  of 
Moses  and  the  Lamb." 


Speaker  Colfax  said,  I  regret  to  inform  you  that  the  Hon.  James  Harlan 
(Secretary  of  the  Interior)  is  detained  by  indisposition  at  home,  and  will  not 
be  able  to  be  here  as  announced.  Before  singing  the  beautiful  and  impressive 
hymn,  "  YOUR  MISSION,"  next  in  order  on  the  programme,  let  me  read  a  brief 
note  from  the  paper  I  hold  in  my  hand.  On  the  29th  of  January,  1865,  at  the 
last  anniversary  meeting  of  this  Commission,  when  hostile  armies  were  con- 
tending together  in  deadly  strife,  this  poem  was  sung  as  a  part  of  the  exercises 
of  the  evening.  Abraham  Lincoln,  with  his  tall  form,  his  care-furrowed  face, 
and  his  nobly  throbbing  heart,  was  here,  and,  after  listening  in  tears,  he  sent 
up,  written  upon  the  back  of  this  programme  (holding  up  the  precious  sheet), 
in  that  plain,  familiar  handwriting,  by  that  hand  that  now  lies  cold  in  the 
grave,  this  request :  — 

Near  the  close,  let  us  have  "  Your  Mission"  repeated  by  Mr.  Phillips.  Don't  say  I 
called  for  it.  LINCOLN. 

The  hymn  was  sung  by  Mr.  Philip  Phillips,  as  follows:  — 

YOUR  MISSION. 

If  you  cannot  on  the  ocean  If  you  have  not  gold  and  silver 

Sail  among  the  swiftest  fleet,  Ever  ready  to  command  ; 

Rocking  on  the  highest  billows,  If  you  cannot  towards  the  needy 

Laughing  at  the  storms  you  meet;  Reach  an  ever  open  hand; 

You  can  stand  among  the  sailors,  You  can  visit  the  afflicted. 

Anchor'd  yet  within  the  bay,  O'er  the  erring  you  can  weep, 

You  can  lend  a  hand  to  help  them,  You  can  be  a  true  disciple, 

As  they  launch  their  boats  away.  Sitting  at  the  Saviour's  feet. 

If  you  are  too  weak  to  journey  If  you  cannot,  in  the  harvest, 

Up  the  mountain,  steep  and  high ;  Garner  up  the  richest  sheaves, 

You  can  stand  within  the  valley,  Many  a  grain,  both  ripe  and  golden, 

While  the  multitudes  go  by  :  Will  the  careless  reapers  leave ; 

You  can  chant  in  happy  measure,  Go  and  glean  among  the  briers, 

As  they  slowly  pass  along,  Growing  rank  against  the  wall, 

Though  they  may  forget  the  singer,  For  it  may  be  that  their  shadow 

They  will  not  forget  the  song.  Hides  the  heaviest  wheat  of  all. 


THE   FOURTH    YEAR.  257 

If  you  cannot  in  the  conflict  Do  not,  then,  stand  idly  waiting, 

Prove  yourself  a  soldier  true,  For  some  greater  work  to  do; 
It.  where  fire  and  smoke  are  thickest,       0  improve  each  passing  moment, 

There 's  no  work  for  you  to  do ;  For  our  moments  may  be  few; 

When  the  battle-field  is  silent,  Go  and  toil  in  any  vineyard, 

You  can  go  with  careful  tread,  Do  not  fear  to  do  or  dare ; 

You  can  bear  away  the  wounded,  If  you  want  a  field  of  labor, 

You  can  cover  up  the  dead.  You  can  find  it  any  where. 

SPEECH  OF  REAR-ADMIRAL  DAVIS. 

Rear-Admiral  Charles  H.  Davis,  of  the  United  States  Navy,  was  next  intro- 
duced by  the  Chairman,  and  spoke  as  follows:  — 

It  is  a  very  welcome  thing  to  me  to  have  an  opportunity  to-night 
to  express,  in  behalf  of  the  navy,  the  profound  sense  of  gratitude  of 
my  own  branch  of  the  public  service  toward  its  benefactors,  the  offi- 
cers and  servants  of  the  Christian  Commission.  And  this  is  the 
most  appropriate  occasion  for  such  an  expression,  when  the  Commis- 
sion is  about  to  close  its  labors,  and  render  the  final  account  of  its 
stewardship.  Now  that  another  of  the  great  institutions  of  the  war 
is  about  to  pass  out  of  existence,  the  value  of  its  services  is  brought 
more  forcibly  than  ever  to  our  minds.  These  services  are  duly 
recorded  in  reports  and  set  forth  in  statistical  tables.  From  these 
we  can  learn  how  wide  the  field  of  its  labors  has  been,  and  how  vast 
and  varied  the  amount  of  its  benefactions.  At  home  and  in  the 
field,  in  the  kitchen  and  in  the  chapel,  on  the  quarter-deck  of  the 
gunboat  and  on  the  forecastle,  in  the  hospital  and  in  the  school,  on 
the  march  and  in  camp,  wherever  the  soldier  or  seaman  was  to  be 
found,  wherever  the  hand  of  benevolence  could  administer  relief,  or 
the  voice  of  religion  could  lead  the  distressed  spirit  by  the  still 
waters,  there  its  distributors,  its  preachers,  its  Delegates,  its  mission- 
aries, its  agents,  its  collectors,  and  its  numerous  officers,  of  both  sexes, 
have  labored  in  this  great  Christian  undertaking,  prompted  by 
patriotism  and  inspired  by  the  spirit  of  our  Divine  Master,  whose 
soldiers  they  were, 


1  Under  whose  blessed  cross 


We  were  impressed  and  engaged  to  fight." 

No  service  seemed  to  be  too  great  for  the  boldness  of  their  enter- 
prise, and  none  so  small  as  to  escape  their  sacred  sense  of  duty.     If 
33 


258  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

they  endeavored  to  place  in  the  hand  of  the  dying  soldier  the  rod 
and  the  staff  that  comforted  him  when  he  entered  into  the  valley  of 
the  deep  shadows,  they  not  the  less  sought  to  enliven  the  weary  hours 
of  the  bed  of  prolonged  sickness  by  histories,  biographies,  and 
travels,  by  treatises  of  science,  and  by  books  of  poetry  and  fiction, 
selected  with  scrupulous  care.  If  they  supplied  medicines  and 
homes,  they  also  gave  the  ever -blessed  cup  of  cold  water.  Their 
Testaments  and  telegraphs,  their  steamboat  and  railroad  transporta- 
tions, their  mail  and  other  facilities,  bestowed  with  the  free  hand  of 
an  unstinted  liberality,  all  command  our  wonder  and  admiration. 

And  again,  the  most  hasty  examination  of  their  reports  shows 
how  extensive  was  the  geographical  region  embraced  in  their 
labors, — indeed,  as  extensive  as  the  continent, — reaching  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  following  the  windings  of  the  great 
Mississippi,  whose  full,  deep,  and  enriching  stream  is  the  natural  and 
suitable  type  of  the  benevolence  of  this  Association,  of  which  the 
current,  though  like  that  of  the  Father  of  Waters,  sometimes  ob- 
structed by  banks  and  shoals,  yet,  like  that  again,  derived  from 
these  very  obstacles  a  new  force,  and  was  carried  by  them  into  new 
channels,  where  its  fertilizing  power  made  itself  known  by  its  con- 
tributions to  the  glory  of  the  Creator  and  the  good  of  man. 

All  this  appears  to  the  eye  on  glancing  over  the  published  papers 
of  the  institution.  But  there  are  two  respects  in  which  the  benevo- 
lent labors  of  the  Christian  Commission  are  not  so  evident,  in  which 
they  strike  down,  if  possible,  into  a  deeper  and  more  precious  vein. 

I  mean  first  to  speak  of  the  incalculable  amount  of  consolation, 
of  the  infinite  peace  and  comfort,  it  has  conferred  upon  friends  and 
relations  at  home,  by  its  ministrations  to  the  sick,  and  more  espe- 
cially to  the  dying,  who  might  never  else  have  heard  the  voice  of  the 
consoler  or  received  those  tender  sympathies  on  which  the  parting 
soul  relies,  and  which  the  closing  eye  requires.  How  many  of  us 
who  are  present  have  offered  up  our  youngest  and  our  best,  in  their 
brightest  bloom  and  beauty  of  youth,  a  ready  and  willing  sacrifice 
upon  the  sacred  altar  of  our  country's  service !  I  need  not  say  how 
cheerfully  this  sacrifice  has  been  made.  But  I  must  say.  to  the 
honor  of  the  Christian  Commission,  that  this  sacrifice  has  found 
oftentime  its  greatest  alleviation  in  the  knowledge  that  the  ministra- 
tions of  the  church  have  accompanied  our  children  and  friends 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  *J .",'.» 

through  every  scene  of  danger  and  suffering,  and  only  left  them 
when  they  had  passed  beyond  the  reach  of  earthly  offices,  or  \\hcn 
the  happy  return  of  peace  had  restored  them  to  their  home*, — to 
homes  which  derived  fresh  dignity  and  felicity  from  their  deed-  and 
sufferings,  performed  and  encountered  for  the  nation's  sake. 

The  other  particular  to  which  I  refer,  and  in  regard  to  which  we 
can  never  count  our  obligations  to  the  members  of  the  Christian 
Commission,  is  the  effect  upon  both  arms  of  the  service,  and  by  reflex 
action  upon  the  country,  by  adding  to  the  former  an  organized  reli- 
gious institution,  devoted  not  only  and  exclusively  to  works  and 
words  of  piety,  but  embracing  in  the  scope  of  its  self-imposed  duties 
all  the  abounding  and  far-reaching  charities  of  the  Christian  char- 
acter and  office.  We  witness  some  evidences  of  this  in  the  reports, 
we  see  how  the  word  spoken  in  season  has  been  received  with  advan- 
tage, and  we  know  that,  in  the  nature  of  things,  it  could  not  be 
otherwise. 

But  these  and  similar  mpral  agencies  are  not  to  be  weighed  and 
measured  by  any  ordinary  standards,  or  by  any  effects  that  fall 
under  common  observation.  There  is  enough  however  to  enable  us 
to  perceive  that  the  active  members  of  the  Christian  Commission 
have  been  co-workers  with  the  army  and  navy  in  the  field,  and  to 
suggest  the  idea  that  hereafter  such  an  institution  ought  to  form  an 
essential  part  of  a  great  military  establishment  in  time  of  war.  We 
owe  to  it  the  preservation  of  the  moral  influences  of  home  and  of 
the  restraints  of  society  in  remote  and  boisterous  scenes,  where  both 
are  liable  to  be  forgotten  or  neglected.  We  owe  to  it  no  doubt  the 
return  of  many  a  young  soldier  to  the  domestic  fireside,  not  hardened 
and  corrupted,  but  strengthened  and  tried,  by  a  long  life  in  camps. 
And  we  feel  assured  that  under  this  general  view  there  lie,  concealed 
from  human  sight,  many  of  the  rewards  of  the  good  and  faithful 
servant,  and  many  of  the  blessings  that  fell  from  the  lips  of  those 
who  were  ready  to  perish. 

Among  the  future  historians  of  this  struggle  there  must  be  one 
who  will  make  it  his  whole  business  to  elucidate  the  part  performed 
by  the  Christian  Commission,  and  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of  the 
generations  to  come  that  to  its  organization  and  efficient  working  in 
all  its  branches,  beginning  with  the  elementary  local  societies  that 
gathered  in  the  first  subscriptions,  to  the  active  nurses,  physicians, 


260  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  preachers  on  the  field  of  actual  hattle,  we  owe,  in  great  measure, 
this  one  grand  result:  that  by  adding  to  the  army  and  navy  an  organ- 
ized religious  society,  which  everywhere  combined  the  ministrations 
and  services  of  the  church  with  the  operations  of  war,  and  by  their 
practically  blending  together  the  duties  and  sentiments  of  the  camp 
and  quarter-deck  and  those  of  religion,  it  has  aided  to  elevate  the  mind 
of  the  patriotic  soldier  or  seaman  to  the  most  exalted  conception  of 
his  duty. 

ADDRESS  OF  REV.  HERRICK  JOHNSON. 

The  Rev.  Herrick  Johnson,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  was  the  next  speaker.  He 
said:  — 

Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen:  It  has  been  remarked  that 
the  work  and  the  life  of  the  Christian  Commission  have  closed.  It 
is  true  that,  as  an  organized  outward  agency,  it  is  a  thing  of  the 
past.  But  as  an  unseen,  subtle  power,  entering  into  the  moral  forces 
that  are  henceforth  to  do  their  part  in  God's  great  evangelisms,  as  a 
demonstration  of  unselfish,  heroic  achievement,  as  an  inspiration  to 
a  like  effort  in  a  time  of  war,  it  is  not  dead, — it  will  never  die.  The 
form  is  gone.  Its  living,  animating  spirit  is  a  thing  of  God,  to  be 
forever.  I  need  not  ask  for  a  better  vindication  of  my  words  than 
this  gathering  here  to-night.  Generals  and  statesmen  are  here  to 
pay  this  long-ago  practically  disbanded  organization  deserved  enco- 
miums. The  representatives  of  the  nation  are  here  to  make  grateful 
offering  for  its  ministry  of  love  and  blessing.  Bereaved  mothers  all 
over  the  land  are  here  in  spirit,  invoking  benisons  on  its  officers  and 
agents,  and  thanking  God  that  it  ever  had  an  existence.  May  it  not 
be  that  others  are  here,  whose  souls  have  been  "marching  on"  ever 
since  they  fought  their  last  battle,  who  were  made  soldiers  of  Christ 
through  the  agency  of  this  Christian  Commission,  before  they  met 
and  conquered  their  last  foe,  and  who  now,  with  their  warfare  all 
accomplished,  look  down  with  interest  upon  this  scene  to-night. 

Into  such  presence  I  am  summoned,  as  one  who  has  been  in  the 
Commission's  work,  to  be  a  voice  for  its  deeds,  to  place  brief  record 
of  its  holy  doing  amidst  their  coronation  hour,  that  others  more  fit 
than  I  may  set  it  round  with  glowing  and  peerless  eulogy.  How  can 
I  do  this  better  than  by  saying  that  the  Commission  had  in  substance 
a  three-fold  office  ?  It  aimed  to  reach  and  link  together  the  battle- 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  261 

field,  home,  heaven,  —  the  heart  of  the  soldier,  the  parent's  heart,  and 
the  heart  of  God. 

Well  do  I  remember  with  what  feelings  we  left  Washington  in 
May,  1864,  just  after  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness.  Some  of  the 
slightly  wounded  were  even  then  on  their  way  to  the  city,  but  thou- 
sands on  thousands  far  worse  off  were  down  at  Fredericksburg,  and 
we  were  impatient  to  be  there,  to  help  in  God's  name  the  men  who 
had  already  written  history  with  their  blood.  We  found  them,  —  ten 
thousand  of  them, — in  the  streets,  in  the  offices,  in  the  houses,  in  the 
churches;  in  every  conceivable  form  of  mutilation,  gashed  and 
mangled  with  shot  and  shell;  hungering,  thirsting,  bleeding,  dying; 
shot  through  the  head,  lungs,  thighs,  everywhere.  And  to  kneel 
beside  these  men,  to  minister  unto  them,  to  bathe  their  heated  brows 
and  cool  their  parched  lips,  and  dress  their  wounds  and  \\ash  their 
feet  and  feed  them,  and  to  have  them  rain  upon  you  their  hearty 
"Thank  you's"  and  "God  bless  you's,"  oh,  it  was  a  new  baptism  to 
be  baptized  with  !  It  was  work  that  Christ  smiled  on,  —  for  he, 
knowing  that  he  was  come  from  God  and  went  to  God,  took  a  towel 
and  girded  himself,  and  washed  his  disciples'  feet.  Thus  by  the 
little  delicacies  and  loving  ministries  we  first  found  our  way  down 
through  the  roughness  and  the  hardness,  through  the  reserve  and  tin- 
reticence,  through  the  bolted  and  the  barred  doors,  down  into  the 
soldiers'  hearts, — for  the  hardest  and  the  roughest  of  them  had  a 
heart, — and,  reaching  this,  how  easily  and  naturally  came  the  words, 
home,  wife,  mother !  What  memories  these  charmed  words  called 
up!  what  fountains  they  stirred  in  those  manly  bosoms!  and 
away  went  messages  of  love  from  the  sufferers  to  the  loved  ones  at 
home,  hundreds  of  them  every  day  written  by  the  Delegates.  And 
what  is  next  to  home  and  mother?  What  but  heaven  and  .Jr-n-'/ 
And  so  we  led  their  thoughts  there.  To  the  dying  we  spoke  of  him 
who  said,  "  He  that  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die."  To 
the  suffering  we  repeated  the  precious  words,  "  Come  unto  me  all  ye 
that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 

Go  with  me  for  a  moment  and  look  upon  one  of  thes«>  b<*pH«] 
scenes.  There  lies  a  young  soldier  wounded  unto  death.  "  What  <"in 
I  do  for  you,  my  brave  fellow  ?  "  "  Speak  to  me  of  Jesus ; "  and  th« 
words  that  suggest  themselves  are, 


262  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

"  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly." 

"Oh,  won't  you  sing  them,  sir?"  And  another  wounded  soldier, 
lying  near,  takes  up  the  words  and  sings, 

"  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 
Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fly." 

And  then  the  dying  drummer-boy  repeats  the  prayer,  and  even  while 
the  words  are  on  his  lips  the  prayer  is  answered,  and  his  soul  is  away 
on  its  flight  to  the  bosom  of  Jesus. 

I  remember  a  soldier  from  Maine  who  had  lost  his  left  leg.  The 
little  delicacies  and  attentions  had  opened  his  heart.  He  had  told 
me  of  his  widowed  mother  and  loving  sisters,  and  I  had  written  his 
message  home,  and  back  came  their  noble  answer,  saying,  "  We  can- 
not be  thankful  enough  to  God,  if  from  the  glorious  Army  of  the 
Potomac  he  give  us  back  our  darling  with  only  the  loss  of  one  leg." 
And  from  that  couch  of  suffering  was  sent  up  a  message  to  heaven 
also.  And  that,  I  believe,  found  answer,  —  more  blessed  even  than 
the  message  home.  For  hours  and  days  he  had  been  lying  on  the 
hard  floor,  with  nothing  but  a  blanket  under  him,  restless  and  sleep- 
less from  the  shock  his  nervous  system  had  received.  There  in  the 
dusk  of  evening,  with  his  hand  close  clasped  in  mine,  the  patient 
hero  breathed  his  low  prayer,  "  Oh  Father,  God,  be  pitiful, — be  mer- 
ciful,—  give  me  rest, —  rest  of  body  and  of  soul, — Oh,  give  me  rest." 
And  the  hard  floor  seemed  to  grow  woolly  soft,  as  if  Jesus  had  pil- 
lowed it,  and  rest,  "  of  rest  God's  rest  the  best,"  came  to  that  tired 
heart.  "He  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers,  and  under  his  wings 
shalt  thou  trust." 

I  recall  another,  a  young  sergeant,  in  that  hospital  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  one  of  whose  limbs  had  been  sadly  shattered.  He  was  a  brave, 
patient  boy,  but  remarkably  reticent,  resolutely  maintaining  a  cold 
reserve.  For  days  he  was  proof  against  all  kindness,  but  at  last  I 
found  the  way  down  into  his  heart's  secret  place  of  tenderness  and 
tears,  and  the  great  drops  wet  his  cheeks  as  he  told  me  how  he  had 
run  away  from  home  and  almost  broken  his  mother's  heart.  He  said 
his  own  pain  was  nothing  to  the  trouble  he  had  given  her.  "  Shall 
I  write  to  your  mother,"  I  asked,  "  and  tell  her  how  and  where  you 


TITE    FOURTH    YEAR.  263 

are?"  "Oh  yes,"  said  he;  "but  break  the  news  gently,  break  it 
gently,  and  oh,  tell  her  how  sorry  I  am  for  having  laid  such  a  bur- 
den on  her  loving  heart."  And  then  we  talked  of  another  home  he 
luul  wandered  from  and  another  heart  he  had  grieved,  and  I  a.-ki-d 
him  if  he  hadn't  a  penitent  message  to  send  home  to  God.  Ere  long 
I  believe  there  was  joy  in  the  presence  of  the  angels  over  the  return 
of  one  more  prodigal.  The  surgeons  at  last  decided  that  this  young 
sergeant's  leg  must  be  amputated,  and  very  soon  it  became  manifest 
that  even  this  would  not  save  him,  and  we  told  him  he  must  die. 
He  was  ready ;  arms,  haversack,  canteen,  blanket,  all  had  been  lost 
on  the  battle-field,  but  he  had  clung  to  the  flag  he  bore,  and  he  lay 
there  with  the  stars  and  stripes  wrapped  about  him.  Just  as  he  was 
dying  his  lips  moved.  We  stooped  to  listen.  He  was  making  his 
last  charge:  "Come  on,  boys !  our  country  and  our  flag  forever!" 
We  asked  him,  "Is  the  Saviour  with  you?"  And  he  whispered, 
"Do  you  think  he  would  pass  by  and  not  take  me?  I  go,  I  go." 
And  wrapped  in  stars  he  went  up  among  the  stars. 

So  the  Christian  Commission  has  sought  to  do  its  work ;  first  the 
hospital  or  battle-field,  then  home,  then  heaven  ;  first  to  the  heart  of 
the  soldier,  then  to  the  mother's  heart,  then  to  the  heart  of  God. 

It  was  once  my  privilege  to  stand  upon  the  summit  of  Mount 
Righi  in  Switzerland,  and  from  its  queenly  top  witness  an  autumnal 
sunset.  Far  away  to  the  West  the  monarch  of  day  wrapped  the 
drapery  of  his  couch  about  him  and  lay  down  as  if  he  were  a  god 
confessed.  He  flung  his  splendors  on  that  unequalled  landscape  with 
royal  munificence.  He  kissed  the  waters  that  lay  embosomed  among 
the  hills  till  they  all  blushed.  The  bald  peaks  to  the  right  and  the 
left  of  us  bared  their  storm-beaten  brows  and  bathed  in  the  sunlight. 
And  higher  up  and  farther  away  the  snow-capped  monarchs  of  the 
Alps  tossed  back  the  sun's  last  rays  from  their  icy  sides  in  cold  and 
proud  disdain.  But  more  beautiful  than  all,  the  gem  of  that  most 
wondrous  picture,  was  the  bridge  of  golden  sheen  that  stretched  ..\vr 
hills  and  valleys,  and  lakes  and  dells,  from  the  far  distant  horizon  to 
our  very  feet.  It  seemed  as  if  heaven's  gates  had  been  left  op»-n  and 
glory  had  stolen  through.  It  was  cast  up  by  the  hand  of  God,  a 
way  of  gold,  on  which  angels  might  have  trodden.  So  I  have  stood 
lu-side  the  dying  soldier,  when  it  has  seemed  as  if  a  bridge  of  golden 
sheen  were  let  down  from  heaven, —  a  highway  for  the  ransomed  of 


264  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  Lord.  And  that  way,  cast  up  of  God,  has  glowed  with  the  steps 
of  the  angels,  come  to  bear  the  soldier,  who  had  made  his  last  charge 
and  fought  his  last  battle,  Jwme.  And  up  that  shining  path,  with 
angel  convoy,  the  spirit  has  gone,  away  from  the  clang  of  arms  and 
the  din  of  strife,  and  the  groans  of  the  wounded, —  away,  away,  to 
the  very  gates  of  pearl, — to  the  peace  like  a  river,  and  the  rest  of 
God. 

Oh  these  are  the  undying  tokens  and  proof  of  the  success  of  the 
Commission,  whose  final  anniversary  we  celebrate  to-night.  The 
nation  may  point  to  its  States  won  back  from  treason,  the  army  may 
point  to  its  battle-flags  wrung  from  the  foe  by  vigor  and  valor  and 
victory,  generals  may  point  to  their  starred  shoulders  as  proofs  of 
undaunted  heroism,  sanitary  agencies  may  roll  up  their  peerless 
record  of  sublime  beneficence, — but  there,  up  there,  are  the  souls 
that  are  marching  on,  marching  on;  there  are  the  trophies  immortal, 
that  have  been  snatched  from  death ;  there  are  the  unfading  stars, 
that  have  been  set  in  Christ's  diadem  through  the  agency  of  this 
Christian  Commission. 

On  the  conclusion  of  the  above  address  a  stirring  patriotic  hymn,  from  the 
"Musical  Leaves,"  entitled-"  We  are  rising  as  a  people,"  was  sung  by  Mr. 
Phillips,  the  audience  joining  in  full  chorus.  The  Honorable  Senator  from 
Wisconsin,  J.  K.  Doolittle,  then  spoke  as  follows :  — 

SPEECH  OF  SENATOR  DOOLITTLE. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Christian  Commission :  I  remember 
well  when  I  sat  with  you  at  your  last  anniversary.  This  Hall  was 
crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity.  In  the  midst  of  the  assembly  was 
one  whom  I  do  not  see  present  with  you  to-night.  As  I  ascended  the 
steps  of  the  Capitol,  I  saw  the  flag  of  our  country  draped  in  mourn- 
ing. This  table  is  draped  in  mourning;  and  to-morrow J  the  nation 
assembles  here,  to  pay  its  tribute  of  respect  to  that  one  who  is  not 
here  to  witness  the  closing  scenes  of  this  great  charity,  to  which  his 
soul  was  so  devoted. 

My  Christian  friends,  if  it  were  possible  for  the  spirit  of  our  mar- 

1  The  allusion  is  to  Mr.  Bancroft's  Eulogy  upon  President  Lincoln,  which 
was  pronounced,  in  the  presence  of  Congress  and  the  other  Departments  of  the 
National  Government,  on  the  day  following  the  Commission's  Anniversary. 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  265 

tyred  Lincoln  to  leave  the  skies;  if  it  were  possible  for  us  to  suppose 
that  he  stood  now  in  this  presence,  and  although  our  eyes  do  not  see 
him,  yet  in  our  souls  we  could  realize  him  as  being  here,  what 
message  would  he  bring  from  the  skies?  He  would  say,  undoubtedly, 
"God  the  Father  says,  'Bless  the  Christian  Commission;'  God  the 
Saviour  says,  'Bless  the  Christian  Commission;'  God  the  Holy 
Spirit  says,  'Bless  the  Christian  Commission;'  and  the  angels  in 
heaven  all  say, '  Bless  the  Christian  Commission.'"  And  that  mighty 
throng  of  the  departed  dead,  the  angel  spirits  of  those  who  have  gone, 
sacrificed  in  this  war  to  sustain  the  Government  which  we  so  love, — 
and  there  are  many  here  who  have  loved  ones  there, — they  would 
all  say,  if  he  could  bear  their  message  to  us  from  the  skies,  "  Bless 
the  Christian  Commission!" 

My  friends,  this  Commission  is  indeed,  as  you  have  heard  to-night, 
the  child  of  the  church.  In  no  country,  in  no  age,  among  no  people 
on  the  face  of  the  earth,  has  such  a  manifestation  of  charity  been 
known.  And  not  only  is  it  the  child  of  the  church,  but  our  country 
itself,  with  all  its  glorious  institutions,  is  the  outgrowth  of  Christian 
civilization.  The  old  world  was  too  crowded,  too  contracted  by  its 
systems  of  government,  to  give  to  Christian  civilization  the  full  and 
free  exercise  of  its  spirit  and  power.  Therefore,  in  the  providence 
of  the  Almighty  Being  who  rules  the  universe,  this  new  world  of 
ours  was  reserved  for  the  very  purpose  of  planting  a  Christian  civili- 
zation, and  one  which  should  reach  its  highest  development  in  its 
adaptation  to  human  government.  And,  my  friends,  I  belies-e,  not 
only  as  a  patriot,  but  as  a  humble  Christian,  that  God  has  a  high 
and  holy  purpose  to  fulfill  through  this  nation  and  this  people,  and 
that  we  from  the  beginning  have  been,  are  now,  and  ever  shall  be, 
under  his  own  peculiar  and  special  watch  and  care;  and  though  wars 
may  be  permitted  in  His  wisdom  to  come  upon  us,  and  though  we 
may  pass  through  fiery  trials,  such  as  the  baptism  of  fire  and  blood 
we  have  now  so  recently  experienced,  I  yet  believe  that  God  will  be 
with  us,  that  He  is  with  us,  leading  us  upward  and  heavenward,  in 
order  that  we  as  a  people  may  realize  upon  earth  a  higher,  a  better, 
a  diviner  life.  Therefore  I  have  hailed  with  joy  and  watched  with 
pride  the  labors  of  this  God-given  Christian  Commission,  and  tivl 
to-night,  if  I  too  may  be  permitted  to  raise  my  humble  void-,  like 
saying,  "  Bless  the  Christian  Commission,"  and  I  speak  as  a  member 

34 


266  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

of  one  of  the  branches  of  Congress,  feeling  that  I  represent  also  the 
voice  of  that  body. 

Let  me  say,  friends,  in  a  concluding  word,  that  we  may  well  regard 
all  human  history  as  divided  by  the  one  great  fact  of  the  advent  of 
Christ  upon  the  earth.  "  Before  Christ,"  "  After  Christ,"  express  the 
two  great  periods  of  history.  All  that  preceded  him  but  prepared 
the  way  for  his  coming,  and  all  that  has  followed  has  been  blessed 
by  his  beneficence.  And  I  think  that,  although  the  progress  of 
humanity  has  been  slow  since  his  appearing  on  earth,  yet,  in  spite 
of  poverty  and  destitution  and  ignorance  and  superstition  and  toil 
and  servitude  and  suffering,  humanity,  —  poor,  fallen,  degraded  as  it 
has  been, — is  being  gradually  led  upward,  by  the  influences  of  Chris- 
tianity, to  a  higher  and  a  better  state ;  and  this  very  Christian  Com- 
mission, with  what  it  has  developed  and  performed,  demonstrates 
that  at  this  hour  Christian  power  and  influence  upon  earth  is  greater, 
more  potent,  more  beneficent,  than  at  any  other  period  since  the 
Saviour  appeared. 

It  was  in  view  of  this  that  the  old  Christian  poet  exclaimed, 

"  In  the  cross  of  Christ  I  glory, 

Towering  o'er  the  wrecks  of  time, 
All  the  light  of  sacred  story 

Gathers  round  its  head  sublime." 

Major-General  George  G.  Meade,  Commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
had  been  announced  as  a  speaker.  He  was  detained  from  the  meeting  by  sick- 
ness in  his  family.  Major-General  Augur,  upon  a  short  notice,  consented  to 
occupy  the  vacant  place. 

MAJOE-GENEKAL  AUGUK'S  SPEECH. 

When  I  consented  to  appear  upon  the  platform  to-night,  I  was  in 
no  way  expected  to  fill  the  vacancy  created  by  the  absence  of  Gene- 
ral Meade.  I  do  not  feel  myself  competent  to  fill  the  place  of  that 
distinguished  officer.  And  yet  I  am  willing  at  all  times  to  bear  my 
feeble  but  cheerful  and  grateful  testimony  to  the  inestimable  value 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  not  only  as  an  association,  but  to  the 
fidelity  and  devotion,  the  quiet  and  unobtrusive  heroism,  of  its  mem- 
bers and  agents.  I  am  not  unmindful  of  the  fact  that,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  late  Avar,  it  was  not  an  unusual  thing  to  hear  this 


THE   FOURTH    YEAR.  207 

association  and  kindred  ones  spoken  of  as  being  unnecessary,  and  in 
the  way ;  that  the  Government  was  abundantly  able  and  willing  to 
take  care  of  its  own  soldiers,  and  required  no  outside  aid.  And  it  was 
not  an  uncommon  thing  to  see  the  inapt  and  unskilled  efforts  of  some 
of  its  earlier  agents  provoking  the  contemptuous  sneer  and  smile. 
But  as  the  war  progressed,  and  on  one  and  another  of  our  battle- 
fields these  same  agents  were  found  administering  to  the  wants  of 
our  wounded  and  dying  soldiers,  having  on  hand  always,  and  appa- 
rently in  the  most  miraculous  manner,  every  appliance  necessary  at 
any  given  time,  a  change  began  to  come  over  the  spirit  of  men's 
minds  with  regard  to  this  matter,  and  these  unskilled  agents  became 
as  it  were  transformed  into  very  angels  of  mercy.  And  now  that 
the  war  is  over,  and  the  good  work  of  the  Commission  is  finished,  I 
presume  no  one  fact  is  better  established  in  the  minds  of  the  people 
of  this  country  than  that  the  Christian  Commission  has  been  the 
means  of  saving  hundreds  of  valuable  lives,  and  of  relieving  an 
untold  amount  of  human  suffering. 

And  in  estimating  the  value  of  the  services  of  the  Commission,  we 
should  not  merely  regard  the  material  aid  or  comfort  afforded  our 
men,  however  ample  and  generous  that  may  have  been.  There  is 
another  view  of  it  which  in  my  mind  is  more  important  than  all 
others.  The  agents  of  this  Commission  were  Christian  men,  men 
who  by  their  precept  and  example,  and  by  God's  assistance,  were 
enabled  to  strengthen  many  men  who  were  about  to  fall,  to  comfort 
and  help  the  weak-hearted,  and  to  sustain  and  gather  up  many  a 
man  who  had  already  fallen.  These  men  were  competent  to  give 
shape  to  the  thoughts  of  dying  men,  to  administer  the  consolations  of 
religion  to  the  hearts  of  men  ready  to  perish,  and  to  bear  home  to  the 
hearts  of  mothers,  widows,  wives, — thirsty  hearts, — news  of  the  ab- 
sent ones,  messages  of  the  dying,  last  tokens  of  affection,  and  in  many 
instances  the  words  of  forgiveness  and  repentance  and  hope  for  the 
future,  to  calm,  to  comfort,  and  to  cheer  the  surviving  ones  at  home. 

Truly  the  record  of  the  Commission  is  a  fair  and  full  one.  It  is  a 
record  of  self-sacrifice  and  devotion  which  is  creditable  to  us  as  a  na- 
tion and  a  people,  and  one  of  which  we  may  justly  be  proud.  And  I 
believe  the  people,  the  nation,  are  proud  of  it.  This  meeting  to-night, 
representing  every  portion  of  our  country,  is  ample  public  evi«l« -m •«• 
that  such  is  the  case.  There  is  other  evidence  than  this,  however, 


268  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

that  should  be  prized  by  the  agents  of  this  Commission.  It  is  the 
testimony  borne  by  the  number  of  crippled,  wounded,  and  diseased 
men  still  suffering,  who  now  at  homes  and  around  hundreds  of  fire- 
sides relate  again  and  again  their  stories  of  battles  and  wounds,  and 
mingle  with  their  tales  their  grateful  eulogies  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission and  kindred  agencies,  to  which  they  feel  that  it  is  mainly 
due  that  their  homes  and  those  of  many  others  in  our  land  are  not 
now  darkened  with  the  signs  of  mourning  and  the  habiliments  of 
woe.  One  more  class  of  evidence  should  be  prized,  not  the  less 
because  it  is  not  available  here.  I  mean  the  great  mass  of  unre- 
corded testimony,  borne  by  those  whose  dying  moments  in  hospital 
and  camp  have  been  soothed  by  the  ministrations  of  the  agents  of 
this  Christian  Commission.  The  great  Master  has  seen  and  recorded 
this  testimony.  He  whose  Spirit  prompted  and  continued  this  great 
and  glorious  work  has  smiled  upon  these  labors,  and  let  us  hope  and 
believe  that  he  has  given  evidence  ample  in  his  present  blessing,  and 
that  it  shall  in  the  future  receive  that  verdict  which  should  be  suffi- 
cient for  the  Christian  Commission  and  for  all  men,  "  Well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant." 

Speaker  Colfax  said :  —  You  have  already  heard  a  minister  of  Christ  who 
has  acted  as  a  Delegate  of  the  Commission  in  the  armies  of  the  East;  it  would 
be  proper  now  to  listen  to  the  testimony  of  another  divine  who  labored  with 
the  armies  of  the  West.  I  have  the  pleasure  of  introducing  to  you  the  Kev.  B. 
W.  Chidlaw,  of  Ohio. 

ADDKESS  OF  EEV.  B.  W.  CHIDLAW. 

Brethren :  When  I  was  a  boy  in  Ohio  my  mother  taught  me  the 
lesson  of  obedience,  and  I  do  not  wish  ever  to  prove  recreant  to  her 
good  teachings.  Else,  sir,  I  should  not  dare  to  stand  up  before  such 
an  audience  to-night,  called  out  so  unexpectedly  and  suddenly.  But, 
brethren  and  friends,  I  am  ready  always  to  lift  up  my  voice,  feeble 
as  it  may  be,  for  my  God  and  my  country. 

The  United  States  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commissions  are  insti- 
tutions peculiar  to  the  United  States  of  America.  England  had  a 
Florence  Nightingale,  whose  womanly  heart  throbbed  in  earnest 
sympathy  with  the  suffering  soldiers  of  the  Crimea.  The  United 
States  of  America,  embodying  the  great  principles  of  philanthropy, 
of  patriotism,  and  of  religion,  has  embodied  the  sentiment  and  the 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR. 

conviction,  the  piety  and  the  humanity  of  Florence  Nightingale  in 
these  and  kindred  glorious  institutions,  that  are  alike  the  glory  of 
our  country  and  the  honor  of  our  common  Christianity. 

The  first  Delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission  of  whom  I  ever 
knew  was  a  shepherd  boy  in  Israel.  In  the  midst  of  war,  \\hcn  his 
brothers  were  in  camp,  his  father  called  him  to  him,  and  said,  "  My 
son,  go  to  the  front  with  this  parched  corn,  and  cheese,  and  these 
barley  loaves,  and  see  how  thy  brethren  fare,  and  cheer  them  with 
these  presents."  Thus  early  was  fixed  the  communication  between 
the  home  and  the  camp.  From  this  source, — the  blessed  Book  that 
has  God  for  its  author,  truth  for  its  matter,  and  eternal  life  for  its 
grand  aim, — the  Christian  Commission  drew  its  principles  and  its 
inspiration.  And  it  has  a  history.  We  are  writing  it  down  to-night, 
and  sealing  it  with  these  closing  scenes.  Its  four  years'  record  is 
complete.  We  are  here  to  close  up  the  army  work  of  the  American 
people  in  their  homes,  and,  with  the  noble  army  that  you  had  in  the 
field,  my  illustrious  General  (turning  and  addressing  himself  to  Gene- 
ral Grant),  we  have  come  to  be  mustered  out  of  the  service. 

The  gallant  Thirty-Ninth,  of  Ohio,  was  mustered  in  when  the  call 
of  our  imperilled  country  sounded  through  the  land,  a  thousand 
strong,  in  July  of  1861 ;  and  with  our  arms  and  munitions,  and  our 
knapsacks  slung,  we  marched  for  Missouri,  whose  soil  the  noble 
Lyou  had  just  baptized  with  his  loyal  blood.  For  four  years  and 
more  that  gallant  regiment  made  its  history.  You  had  it,  my  noble 
General  (addressing  General  Grant),  in  the  midst  of  those  illustrious 
regiments  whom  you  mustered  out  at  Camp  Dennison,  in  Ohio,  last 
July.  The  old  chaplain  felt  a  glowing  pride  in  his  boys  and  officers 
of  the  Thirty-Ninth,  and  went  among  them  with  all  his  early  love, 
to  see  them  honorably  yield  up  the  service  they  had  been  prrmitn-d 
to  take  upon  them  for  their  country.  Out  of  the  full  thousand  mm 
who  left  their  homes  in  Ohio,  only  three  hundred  and  nine  were 
there  to  give  up  the  arms  which  they  had  so  bravely  wielded  for  the 
right,  under  your  leadership,  General,  with  such  glorious  success. 

Brethren  of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  friends  in  this  great 
assembly  at  the  Capitol  of  my  country,  we  are  here  to  !><•  nm-im  .1 
out  of  this  service  for  our  homes  and  churches,  and  for  (.'hri.-t.  ann'inr 
the  boys  in  the  field.  Thank  God,  the  days  for  this  service  an-  pW. 
But  I  think  now  of  the  blessed  work  of  preaching  Jesus  among  my 


270  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

men,  of  what  good  meetings  we  had,  what  glorious  prayer-meetings, 
how  my  colonel  and  the  officers  helped  the  old  chaplain  in  the  work, 
made  his  heart  strong  to  preach  Christ,  and  helped  him  in  his  efforts 
to  lead  the  boys  to  a  higher  and  holier  life,  and  to  fight  down  the 
rebellion.  And  just  such  are  the  reminiscences  of  the  Commission's 
work.  But  there  are  now  no  more  favors  to  be  granted  by  the 
Government,  no  more  aid  to  receive  at  the  hands  of  military  officers. 
You  gave  your  favors  generously  (addressing  the  distinguished  civil 
and  military  officers  around  him),  and  we  thank  you,  in  the  name  of 
the  people,  and  of  the  churches,  and  of  all  those  to  whom  our  work 
came  with  a  blessing;  you  made  our  hearts  strong  and  valiant  to 
labor  for  Christ,  and  to  do  good  to  the  bodies  as  well  as  to  the  souls 
of  every  blue-coat  man  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  We  thank 
you,  General,  and,  through  you,  your  officers ;  we  thank  the  repre- 
sentatives of  our  Government,  the  army  and  navy,  all,  for  the  great 
encouragement  and  the  unexpected  and  enlarged  facilities  you  gave 
us  in  our  humble  ministry. 

And,  my  brother,  (approaching  Mr.  Stuart,  the  Chairman  of  the 
Commission,  and,  in  the  midst  of  great  applause,  shaking  him  with 
warm  Western  earnestness  by  the  hand),  my  brother,  we  muster  you 
out  to-night.  We  shall  not  meet  with  you  again,  nor  with  our  bre- 
thren of  the  Commission,  in  a  hundred  places,  and  from  thousands 
of  platforms  and  pulpits  pleading  the  cause  of  the  soldier.  Blessed 
be  God  that  he  gave  you,  and  all  the  brethren  who  stood  up  for  the 
Commission  at  home,  in  behalf  of  the  men  at  the  front,  and  reached 
out  to  the  great  heart  of  the  men  and  women  of  the  North,  securing 
these  six  millions  of  dollars'  worth  of  blessings  and  comforts,  to  help 
the  American  soldier  in  his  noble  battle  for  the  Government,  and  for 
right  and  truth  in  the  world. 

Yes,  brother  Delegates,  many  a  scene  in  the  prayer-meeting, 
around  the  camp-fire,  in  the  hospital,  in  the  tent,  when  we  talked  of 
Jesus  to  the  boys  in  blue,  when  we  mingled  our  prayers  and  our 
songs  with  theirs,  and  bade  them  be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the 
power  of  his  might,  comes  to  mind  now.  Happy  days.  They  are 
burned  into  these  hearts  of  ours,  and  we  shall  speak  of  them  when 
the  next  mustering  out  comes,  at  that  last  Great  Day,  when  the 
glorious  Captain  of  our  salvation,  Jesus  Christ,  shall  say  to  us, 
"  Come  up  higher,"  and  we  shall  cast  our  crowns  at  his  feet,  and  talk 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  271 

over  his  work  in  the  hospital,  in  the  field,  in  the- camp,  and  by  the 
way,  and  be  forever  with  one  another  and  the  Lord ! 

But,  brethren,  the  reapers  follow  the  sowers.  We  are  mustered 
out  to-night  from  sowing,  that  we  may  go  to  reaping.  Why,  it  is 
reaping  time  already.  The  other  day,  in  a  little  log  cabin  in  the 
upper  valley  of  the  Miami,  I  stood  preaching  the  gospel  to  a  group 
of  children.  A  mother  came  up  to  me  and  said,  "  Preacher,  I  want 
you  to  go  home  with  me.  My  boy  was  buried  near  Atlanta.  I  want 
you  to  go  home  with  me."  "  I  will  go,"  I  said.  She  took  me  with  her. 
Reaching  her  home,  she  opened  a  little  drawer,  and  brought  out  a 
package  which  she  unfolded  carefully,  and  then  handed  me  a  letter. 
"Don't  you  see  the  little  dove  in  the  corner,"  she  said,  "  and  the 
words  'United  States  Christian  Commission?'"  What  was  it?  It 
was  the  last  letter  from  her  boy,  written  by  a  Delegate  of  the  Com- 
mission,— her  dear  boy,  her  all,  who  had  given  himself  for  his  coun- 
try, and  whom  she  had  given  cheerfully  to  the  cause.  Oh  how  rich 
a  country  is  ours,  brethren,  saved  by  the  blood  of  such  sons  of  such 
mothers, — consecrated  by  the  mother-love  of  the  thousands  of  bereft 
ones,  who  in  the  midst  of  their  loneliness  and  tears  rejoice  over  a 
land  redeemed,  regenerated,  disenthralled.  Let  us  thank  God,  bre- 
thren, for  our  Government ;  and  for  anything  we  may  have  done  to 
sustain  it  in  the  hour  of  its  peril ;  for  our  army  and  navy  victorious; 
and  oh,  whenever  we  see  that  banner,  that  beautiful  emblem  of  our 
national  life  and  power,  let  us  thank  God  that  it  is  unsullied  and 
free,  and  let  us,  girding  ourselves  with  his  might,  be  nerved  anew  to 
work  for  him,  to  do  our  whole  duty,  and  to  live  for  glory,  honor,  and 
immortality,  and  all  will  be  well. 

At  this  point  "  America"  was  sung  by  the  audience,  with  thrilling  effect. 
Rev.  Bishop  Matthew  Simpson  was  then  introduced,  and  made  the  concluding 
address,  as  follows :  — 

BISHOP  SIMPSON'S  ADDRESS. 

Mr.  Speaker :  Under  the  arrangements  made  by  the  Committee, 
the  closing  address  has  been  assigned  to  me,  with  the  suggestion  that 
some  "  parting  words"  should  be  uttered  to  those  active  workers  who, 
for  four  years  past,  have  given  so  largely  of  their  time,  their  ener- 
gies, and  their  means  in  behalf  of  the  Christian  Commission. 


272  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

We  have  already  listened  to  the  recital  of  the  work  which  has 
been  done,  and  have  heen  astonished  at  the  magnitude  of  the  contri- 
butions. Scenes  of  suffering  and  of  death  have  passed  in  review, 
and  fit  words  of  praise  have  been  bestowed  on  those  "  ministering 
spirits"  who,  amidst  the  carnage  of  the  battle  and  the  terrible  dis- 
eases and  sufferings  of  the  hospital,  sought  to  relieve  or  to  comfort  the 
wounded  and  the  dying.  And  when  I  review  this  work  in  all  its 
aspects,  I  think  that  no  encomiums  can  be  too  great.  It  has  been  food 
and  clothing  and  shelter  to  the  destitute ;  medicine,  physicians,  and 
nurses  to  the  sick  and  the  wounded ;  comfort  and  hope  and  heavenly 
joy  to  the  dying.  Its  spirit  has  been  the  spirit  of  Christ.  I  prize  it, 
however,  not  only  for  the  benefits  conferred  upon  the  soldier  and  the 
sailor,  but  for  the  aid  which  it  gave  our  Government  in  the  hours  of 
peril.  I  honor,  with  all  possible  honor,  the  skilful  and  gallant  offi- 
cers who  led  our  armies  to  victory.  I  could  spend  hours  in  recount- 
ing the  bravery  and  the  undying  heroism  of  the  private  soldiers  ; 
and  yet  to-night  I  express  a  doubt  whether,  without  the  agency  of 
the  Christian  Commission,  our  recent  war  could  have  been  brought 
to  a  triumphant  close.  The  conflict  was  a  fearful  one.  For  a  time 
doubt  existed  in  many  minds  as  to  the  final  issue.  The  soldiers  in 
the  field  knew  not  that  they  were  cared  for  at  home,  and  the  great 
mass  of  the  public  knew  but  little  of  the  fearful  struggle  of  the  war. 
But,  sir,  when  this  Commission  was  formed,  and  Delegates  were 
called  for  to  visit  the  camps,  eloquent  ministers  left  their  pulpits, 
active  laymen  closed  their  offices  and  stores,  or  left  the  plough  in  the 
furrow,  and  hastened  to  the  front.  From  every  part  of  the  land, 
from  Maine  to  Minnesota,  they  carried  to  the  brave  boys  words  of 
kindness  and  tokens  of  sympathy  from  mothers,  wives,  sisters,  and 
daughters.  The  soldiers  felt  that  the  eyes  of  loved  ones  were  upon 
them,  that  the  hearts  of  their  friends  were  with  them,  and  they  were 
fired  with  new  ardor,  and  furnished  with  new  strength  for  the  terrible 
conflict. 

Nor  did  these  Delegates  act  simply  as  friends.  By  their  prayers 
and  teachings  they  sanctified  the  war  in  the  hearts  of  the  soldiers. 
Immorality  is  fearfully  prevalent  in  camps ;  the  voice  of  profanity 
is  too  often  heard,  even  from  officers.  Young  men  were  liable  to 
think  that  the  conflict  must  be  wicked.  But  when  these  friends,  whom 
they  knew  for  years  to  be  men  of  prayer  and  faith,  went  from  camp 


THE   FOUETH   YEAR.  273 

to  camp,  and  from  hospital  to  hospital,  working  without  pay,  reliev- 
ing suffering,  and  speaking  of  Jesus,  their  hearts  were  touched. 
These  Delegates  did  to  some  extent  the  work  of  chaplains,  but  they 
did  more.  The  chaplain  was  an  officer  of  the  army.  He  received 
his  pay  from  the  Government.  Pure  and  noble  he  might  be,  full  of 
ardor  many  a  chaplain  was,  yet  the  suspicion  would  arise  that  he 
might  be  selfish  in  his  labors.  But  these  Delegates  had  sacrificed 
the  comforts  of  home  and  family ;  they  left  business  and  pulpits  to 
visit  the  soldiers,  and  to  cheer  them  in  their  toil.  Their  voices  were 
familiar.  Home  and  its  associations  rose  before  the  young  men. 
They  listened  eagerly,  and  not  only  were  their  hearts  affected,  but 
the  war  was  made  sacred  by  the  prayers  and  sympathies  of  friends 
at  home, 

Nor  was  this  powerful  influence  felt  merely  by  the  soldiers.  The 
returning  Delegates  carried  tidings  from  the  army  to  every  part  of 
the  nation.  The  national  heart  was  stirred  and  fired.  Mothers  re- 
ceived messages  from  dying  boys  and  wept,  and  consecrated  their  all 
to  the  service  of  the  country.  No  words  of  regret  came  from  the 
battle-field,  but  the  sacrifice  of  health,  of  limbs,  and  of  life,  was  cheer- 
fully and  nobly  given.  Often  too  had  notes  of  Christian  joy  and 
triumph  fallen  from  the  lips  of  the  dying  soldier,  and  sometimes  the 
erring  one,  who  had  left  his  father's  house  a  prodigal,  was  led  by  these 
missions  of  mercy  to  the  cross  of  Christ.  Can  we  be  surprised  that 
under  such  influences  the  nation  arose  in  its  majesty  ?  True  heroism 
was  stirred,  and  the  war  was  made  sacred  in  the  eyes  of  the  people. 
Prayer  was  offered  in  almost  every  pulpit  and  at  almost  every  fire- 
side. Then  came  that  wonderful  outpouring  of  means  of  which  you 
have  heard,  swelling  in  such  a  wonderful  ratio  that  nearly  one-third 
of  the  whole  amount  was  given  in  the  last  four  months  of  the  rebellion. 

Such  labors  have  given  a  feeling  of  sacredness  inxthe  hearts  of  the 
community  to  our  Government  and  our  flag.  Not  only  were  the 
officers  of  State  and  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  made  the  sub- 
jects of  earnest  prayer,  but  our  Government  became  intimately  iden- 
tified with  every  feeling  of  religion  and  with  every  act  of  mercy.  The 
.Christian  Commission  received  all  needed  aid  from  the  officers  of  the 
Government,  while  the  work  was  voluntary  ;  they  had  the  approbation 
of  the  State,  and  alike  the  suffering  soldier  and  sympathizing  and  be- 
reaved friends  felt  that  their  country  was  their  benefactor.  How  often, 

35 


274  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

too,  with  the  last  message  of  the  dying  boy  was  connected  that  touch- 
ing request  that  he  might  be  wrapped  in  the  folds  of  that  flag  for  which 
he  had  fought.  How  dear  that  flag  henceforth  must  be  in  the  cabin 
and  the  mansion,  in  the  forest  and  in  the  city!  It  stands  connected 
with  the  noblest  actions  and  with  the  holiest  emotions,  and  wherever 
it  shall  wave  will  be  greeted  by  an  enthusiasm  unknown  before. 

The  influence  of  this  Commission  reaches  beyond  our  laud.  It 
strengthens  the  cause  of  Christianity  throughout  the  world.  We  have 
in  it  another  development  of  the  Christian  life,  a  higher  proof  of  its 
divine  power  over  the  heart  of  a  nation.  Christianity  has  been  for 
centuries  winning  triumphs.  It  has  civilized  and  instructed  the 
masses,  founded  schools  and  seminaries,  diffused  the  knowledge  of 
human  rights,  sanctified  the  press,  and  influenced  the  Governments 
of  earth.  It  has  entered  the  domestic  circle,  and  elevated  woman  ;  it 
has  purified  and  ennobled  the  relationships  of  life ;  and  the  highest 
and  purest  spirits  have  given  it  their  homage.  But  never  before  had 
it  stepped  forth  in  all  its  glorious  radiance  upon  the  field  of  battle. 
Occasionally  a  Christian  minister  had  accompanied  or  followed  the 
warring  hosts.  Sometimes  here  and  there  were  seen  a  Christian  man, 
and  in  a  few  instances  a  Christian  woman,  ministering  amidst  the 
carnage  to  the  wounded  and  the  dying.  But  in  this  great  and  holy 
work  the  whole  Christian  church  united.  The  churches  gave  their 
means,  their  men,  and  their  ministers.  As  you  have  heard  in  the 
report,  ministerial  labor  amounting  to  181,000  days  was  freely  given, 
nearly  equal  to  the  labor  of  one  man  for  five  hundred  years.  What 
a  glorious  act  of  churches  founded  on  the  voluntary  principle  and 
free  from  all  connection  Avith  the  State! 

Not  only  so.  Christian  denominations  have  been  denounced  as 
envious  and  jealous  sects,  who  would  not  unite  in  any  good  work. 
But  here  men  of  all  denominations  intermingled  freely.  Men  of 
all  creeds  stood  side  by  side,  engaged  in  works  of  mercy,  emulous 
only  in  performing  humble  services  and  deeds  of  love.  And  thus 
the  churches,  bound  together  in  one  great  effort  for  the  cause 
of  Christ,  have  exemplified  true  Christianity.  As  citizens  they 
rallied  under  one  flag,  as  Christians  under  one  cross.  Here  has  been 
presented  a  true  Christian  brotherhood.  Men  have  labored  for  such 
a  brotherhood  in  various  ways.  They  have  sought  it  in  creeds,  and 
have  vainly  tried  to  compel  belief.  They  have  sought  it  in  ceremo- 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  275 

nies,  and  have  sought  for  uniformity.  Ambitious  men  have  sought 
to  make  their  order  universal,  and  to  compel  the  unwilling  by  the 
secular  power.  The  brotherhood  of  Jesus,  or  the  Jesuit  order,  is  a 
striking  illustration  of  the  yearning  for  union,  and  of  seeking  for  it 
on  an  impure  basis.  It  accomplished  wonders  by  zeal  and  toil,  and 
the  followers  of  Loyola  will  ever  be  both  an  example  and  a  warning 
to  the  church.  Evangelical  alliances  have  been  formed  and  Chris- 
tian unions,  and  men  have  crossed  the  ocean  to  meet  kindred  spirits, 
to  exchange  cordial  greetings.  Alas!  how  little  has  been  realized ! 
But  in  this  Commission  a,  brotherhood  was  formed  without  plan  and 
without  effort.  It  was  based  on  the  eternal  truth  of  God's  holy  word, 
and  a  spirit  of  sacrificing  love  that  yearned  over  every  human  suf- 
ferer. It  went  forth  to  minister  as  Christ  ministered.  It  did  the 
Master's  work,  and  he  clothed  it  with  his  glory.  His  servants  fol- 
lowed his  footsteps,  and  they  became  one.  This  is  the  lesson  the 
Commission  has  taught  the  world. 

Nor  would  I  forget  that  in  this  great  work  Christianity  has  called 
woman  to  her  aid,  and  has  given  her  a  most  wonderful  mission  as  an 
apostle  of  liberty  and  an  angel  of  mercy.  In  the  history  of  the 
world  we  behold  in  Eastern  lands  woman  secluded  and  confined,  a 
veil  is  upon  her  face,  her  voice  is  scarcely  heard  in  council,  and  still 
less  heeded,  and  on  all  sides  darkness,  ignorance,  and  degradation 
abound.  In  Europe  woman  is  partially  elevated.  She  moves  more 
freely  in  society,  and  is  engaged  here  and  there  in  works  of  mercy 
and  love ;  and  where  her  footsteps  go  light  and  happiness  accompany 
her.  We  have  heard  of  one  Florence  Nightingale.  All  England 
boasted  of  her  labors  of  humanity.  The  press  heralded  her  name, 
and  her  fame  reached  to  the  ends  of  the  world.  She  was  an  angel  of 
mercy  at  the  Crimea.  But,  sir,  in  our  country,  and  under  the  auspices 
of  this  Commission,  we  have  had  not  one  Nightingale  merely,  but 
over  hill  and  plain,  around  camp  and  hospital,  the  sweet  strains  of 
thousands  of  voices  have  been  heard  from  the  early  dawn  of  morning 
light  until  they  have  melted  away  upon  the  gathering  shadows  of 
night.  Woman  has  shown  herself  able  to  stand  side  by  side  with 
man  in  this  great  work.  Her  fingers  were  busy  with  the  needle  and 
at  the  sewing-machine,  preparing  bandages  and  clothing.  At  the 
fireside  and  the  kitchen  she  prepared  comforts,  and  even  luxuries,  for 
the  sick.  She  formed  associations  for  aid  and  relief.  She  went  from 


276  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

house  to  house,  from  shop  to  shop,  from  store  to  store,  and  pleaded 
for  the  suffering  soldier.  Churches  were  thrown  open  to  her  sancti- 
fied industry,  and  through  her  efforts  in  dark  hours  the  treasury  was 
replenished,  and  prayers  ever  accompanied  the  offerings.  Not  con- 
tent with  this,  women  of  families,  of  position,  education,  and  refine- 
ment left  their  homes,  and  hied  them  to  the  hospital,  and  almost  to 
the  front  of  the  contest.  They  dared  to  go  as  angels  on  the  battle- 
field, as  well  as  to  the  wards  of  the  hospital.  And  be  it  said  to  the 
credit  of  our  country,  and  of  our  soldiers,  as  manly  as  they  were 
brave,  that  so  far  as  I  have  heard,  no  woman,  however  alone,  received 
words  of  insult  or  reproach  from  the  humblest  soldier  on  the  field. 
No,  sir,  they  were  hailed  everywhere  with  gratitude  and  joy, — for  the 
purity  of  active  benevolence  ever  awes  the  human  heart.  I  have 
seen  them  as  Avith  noiseless  tread  they  slipped  through  the  wards  of 
the  hospital,  while  I  was  trying  to  speak  words  of  consolation  to  such 
as  could  hear,  and,  pausing  by  the  couch  of  the  dying  soldier,  have 
wiped  the  sweat  from  his  brow,  and  whispered  the  name  of  Jesus  ere 
the  spirit  took  its  flight  from  earth.  This  has  elevated  woman  in 
the  eyes  of  the  world.  She  has  taught  us  that  man  will  be  more 
manly  and  brave,  as  well  as  purer  and  more  refined,  wherever  Chris- 
tian woman  goes.  What  part  she  is  to  have  in  the  future  of  humanity 
I  know  not,  but  I  fancy  that  her  aid  in  some  active  form  will  be 
essential  in  correcting  those  forms  of  vice  which  now  especially  de- 
grade humanity.  When  the  day  shall  be  ushered  in  that  shall  pro- 
claim our  land  free  from  immorality,  and  society  regenerated,  we  shall 
see  that  in  every  step  of  the  progress  woman  has  stood  side  by  side 
with  man  in  accomplishing  the  noble  work. 

But  I  must  not  delay.  The  closing  moments  are  upon  us.  The 
record  of  the  Commission  is  made.  Its  accounts  are  closed.  Its 
workers  are  about  to  scatter,  and  we  have  only  to  say,  Farewell. 
Let  me  congratulate  you,  brethren  of  the  Commission,  at  closing 
your  work  in  such  a  place,  and  in  such  a  presence.  It  was  fit  that 
you  should  meet  in  the  Capitol  of  the  nation,  in  this  Hall  of  Free- 
dom, where  the  nation  meets  through  its  chosen  men ;  in  this  cham- 
ber, where  the  light  shines  so  sweetly  and  so  softly  through  those 
emblems  of  peace  and  national  glory,  as  typifying  the  light  of 
heaven  which  shines  on  every  moral  enterprise.  We  rejoice  also  in 
the  associations  of  the  evening.  We  have  in  the  chair  our  honored 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  277 

Speaker,  who  presides  over  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  who 
has  shown  a  deep  interest  in  our  work.  And  I  may  be  allowed  to 
say  that  while  he  presides  over  a  body  eminent  for  wisdom  and 
eloquence,  he  never  presided  over  more  patriotic  and  loyal  hearts 
than  those  of  the  workers  in  the  Christian  Commission.  We  are 
here  also  in  the  presence  of  the  army  and  navy,  in  the  persons  of  so 
many  honored  officers  of  high  rank,  who  well  know  what  the  asso- 
ciation has  accomplished ;  in  the  presence  of  distinguished  members 
of  the  Cabinet,  and  of  the  learned  and  talented  Chief  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court.  Around  us  we  recognize  many  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives, who  gave  us  their  sympathies  and  their  prayers.  In  such 
a  presence,  and  with  such  benedictions,  it  is  meet  that  our  Commis- 
sion should  pass  gently  away.  Are  there  not  some  who  have  been 
more  glorious  in  death  than  even  in  life?  I  think  that  Moses, 
though  he  had  led  his  people  triumphantly  through  the  sea,  and  had 
been  on  Sinai  in  the  Divine  presence,  was  never  so  honored  as  when, 
having  stood  on  Pisgah's  summit,  and  glanced  at  the  distant  hills 
and  plains,  it  is  simply  said  that  God  "  buried  him."  The  Christian 
Commission  has  led  a  noble  life.  It  was  baptized  in  prayer,  worked 
amidst  suffering  and  affliction,  leaned  on  the  affections  of  the  wise 
and  the  pure,  received  aid  from  all  classes,  and  ministered  to  multi- 
plied thousands.  Its  dying  moment  has  come,  and  it  breathes  its 
last  breath  sweetly  and  gently  as  the  fabled  notes  of  the  dying  swan. 
The  nation  draws  near,  utters  its  benediction,  and  "buries"  it  with 
honor. 

But,  beloved  workers,  as  we  part  we  go  to  other  fields.  The  spirit 
of  the  Commission  will  still  live.  We  shall  not  be  an  organized  body, 
but  we  shall  be  active  laborers.  There  are  other  fields.  Vice,  in 
many  forms,  is  to  be  encountered  and  vanquished.  Cities  are  to  be 
evangelized.  Freedmen  are  to  be  educated.  The  ignorant  every- 
where are  to  be  instructed.  A  great  work  is  before  us.  The  nation 
is  to  be  reconstructed.  The  theoretical  and  political  work,  and  the 
exercise  of  power,  we  leave  to  statesmen,  officers,  and  wise  men 
assembled  here.  But  when  the  law  and  the  sword  have  accomplished 
their  utmost  work,  they  cannot  change  unwilling  minds.  The  moral 
work  remains  to  be  done.  We  must  carry  the  gospel  to  men  «>t  all 
ranks,  classes,  sections,  and  prejudices,  for  one  thing  alone  can  imike 
us  truly  one, — the  love  of  God  through  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 


278  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Ere  we  part  it  is  proper  to  return  our  grateful  acknowledgments 
to  the  officers  who  have  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  Commission.  I 
have  seen  their  labors,  having  been  but  slightly  identified  with  them. 
Diligence,  system,  economy,  earnestness,  and  deep  devotedness  have 
marked  their  varied  movements.  From  the  headquarters  at  Phila- 
delphia, from  the  offices  at  Boston,  New  York,  Pittsburg,  Cincinnati, 
Chicago,  St.  Louis,  and  elsewhere,  immense  stores  have  been  issued, 
and  vast  labor  has  been  performed,  without  confusion  and  without 

ostentation As  I  look  upon  the  Avhole  band  of  laborers,  I  am 

reminded  that  the  expression  is  not  too  strong,  for  it  is  written  of 
all  active  laborers,  "  They  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  as  the 
stars  forever  and  ever."  Workers  of  the  Commission,  continue  to 
shine  as  stars.  Your  light  cannot  be  hid.  If  the  mite  which  the 
widow  cast  into  the  treasury  remains  before  the  eye  of  the  great 
Master,  surely  the  cups  of  cold  water,  the  messages  of  mercy,  the 
words  of  holy  comfort,  ministered  by  the  Delegates,  shall  never  be 
forgotten. 

But  the  workers  are  not  all  here.  Scattered  over  the  land,  they 
are  with  us  in  spirit.  They  are  not  all  visible.  Some  fell  on  the 
battlefield,  whispering  with  their  dying  breath  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Some  fell  by  diseases  contracted  while  ministering  in  the  hospital. 
May  they  not  be  here  also  ?  May  it  not  be  that  brave  soldier  boys, 
comforted  in  their  anguish  and  death  by  your  ministrations,  join  you 
in  spirit  also  ?  These  galleries  are  densely  crowded.  Are  there  not 
higher  galleries  ?  Above  this  light,  beaming  so  softly  upon  us,  may 
there  not  be  purer  and  brighter  lights?  May  not  the  unseen  be 
very  near  us  ?  In  my  youth  I  was  taught  to  repeat : 

"Angels  now  are  hovering  round  us, 
Unperceived  they  mix  the  throng, 
Wondering  at  the  love  that  crowned  us, 
Glad  to  join  the  holy  song." 

And  if  angels  come,  may  not  redeemed  and  glorified  spirits  come 
also?  While  the  benedictions  of  officers  and  statesmen  fall  upon 
your  ears,  may  there  not  be  gentle  tones  whispering  love  and  joy 
within  ?  May  it  not  even  be  that  he,  our  martyred  one,  whose  seat 
is  vacant  here,  but  who  cheered  us  twelve  months  since,  looks  lov- 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  279 

ingly  upon  the  scene?  Be  that  as  it  may,  there  is  a  far  greater 
among  us,  who  hath  said,  "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  to  the 
end  of  the  world." 

Brave  workers,  go  to  your  fields.  They  are  ripening  to  the  har- 
vest. Work  for  Jesus,  and  what  your  hands  "find  to  do,  do  it  with 
your  might." 

A  new  and  sweet  song,  entitled  the  "Home  of  the  Soul,"  written  by  Mrs. 
Ellen  Huntington  Gates,  author  of  "Your  Mission,"  was  sung  by  Philip  Phil- 
lips. Prayer  was  offered  by  the  Rev.  Prof.  Lemuel  Moss,  late  Home  Secretary 
of  the  Commission,  now  of  the  University  at  Lewisburg,  Pennsylvania.  The 
Hutchinson  family,  being  present,  were  invited  by  the  Chairman  to  favor  the 
audience  with  one  or  two  of  their  songs.  They  sang  two,  embodying  the  senti- 
ment "I  live  for  the  good  I  can  do,"  and  forecasting  the  "good  time"  to  be 
ushered  in  by  the  recognition  of  universal  freedom  and  the  brotherhood  of 
man.  A  last  expression  of  thanks  was  then  feelingly  uttered  by  Mr.  Stuart,  in 
the  name  of  the  Christian  Commission,  to  the  members  of  both  houses  of  Con- 
gress, for  their  many  favors,  especially  in  the  allowance  of  the  Hall  for  tin-  usi- 
of  their  four  anniversaries,  and  for  the  presence,  words,  and  influence  so  freely 
and  cordially  given  by  the  distinguished  men  of  the  nation.  The  doxology, 

Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow, 

was  then  sung,  and  the  great  congregation  dismissed  with  the  benediction  by 
the  Rev.  Heman  Dyer,  D.  D.,  of  New  York. 

Thus  has  a  mighty  work  been  begun,  continued,  and  ended,  in  the  favor  of 
the  rulers  and  the  people,  and  with  the  manifest  approval  of  Heaven. 

It  is  evident  from  the  foregoing  that  a  volume,  of  ex- 
traordinary interest  and  permanent  value,  might  readily 
be  compiled  from  the  addresses  delivered  at  the  public 
meetings  of  the  Christian  Commission.  The  foremost 
men  of  the  nation,  as  speakers  in  the  pulpit  and  upon 
the  platform,  from  every  profession,  were  wont  to  dis- 
cuss at  these  gatherings  the  living  questions  of  the  hour, 
with  comprehensiveness,  pertinence,  sobriety,  earnest- 
ness, eloquence,  and  effectiveness,  such  as  were  not  sur- 
passed. No  one  exerted  a  wider  influence  in  behalf  of 
the  Commission,  by  his  personal  presence  and  voice, 


280  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

than  its  Chairman,  Mr.  Stuart.  Of  his  numerous  public 
speeches,  the  following  is  given  as  possessing  no  little 
historical  interest.  Mr.  Stuart  was  in  Europe  during 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1866.  By  invitation  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  he  represented  them  at  the 
Anniversary  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society. 
The  meeting  was  in  Exeter  Hall,  May  2,  1866,  the  Earl 
of  Shaftesbury,  President  of  the  Society,  in  the  chair. 
Mr.  Stuart1  said  :  — 

My  Lord :  It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  have  the  honor  of  second- 
ing the  Resolution  which  has  just  been  moved,  and  so  eloquently 
supported  by  my  Christian  brother  who  last  addressed  you.  I  appear 
before  you  to-day  as  a  most  unworthy  representative,  if  not  of  the 
oldest  member  of  your  family,  certainly  of  one  of  the  largest  of  your 
children.  I  regret  that  such  a  child  of  yours,  which  has  grown  to 
such  proportions  in  my  adopted  country,  is  not  better  represented 
upon  this  occasion.  I  owe  the  position  which  I  occupy  to-day  doubt- 
less to  the  relation  which,  under  God,  I  was  called  upon  to  sustain  to 
the  army  which  went  forth  to  subdue  the  slaveholders'  rebellion. 

The  American  Bible  Society  was  born  in  the  year  1816,  and  next 
week  it  will  attain  its  fiftieth  year.  During  the  current,  its  Jubilee 
year,  it  has  had  a  special  work  assigned  to  it,  but  to  that  special  work 
I  will  not  further  refer.  I  have  the  honor  of  being  supported  on 
this  occasion  by  a  brother2  from  my  own  city,  who  is  a  distinguished 
member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  I  am  a  Presbyterian 
and  he  is  an  Episcopalian,  but  we  have  stood  side  by  side  in  many 
of  the  battles  of  the  late  war,  and  ministered  alike  to  the  soldiers  of 
the  Confederate  army  and  the  soldiers  of  the  Union  army.  The 
American  Bible  Society,  during  the  past  year,  issued  from  its  deposi- 

1  This  address  is  copied  from  the  Monthly  Reporter  of  the  British  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society  for  June  1,  1866.     It  was  translated  into  the  principal  languages 
of  Europe,  and  also  by  Protestant  missionaries  into  some  of  the  Asiatic  tongues. 

2  The  Rev.  Robert  J.  Parvin,  of  Philadelphia,  who  was  closely  identified 
with  the  work  of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  rendered  it  very  important 
service  in  many  departments. 


THE    FOUHTH    YEAR.  281 

tories  951,945  volumes,  and  during  the  fifty  years  of  its  existence  it 
has  issued  21,660,679  volumes  of  the  Word  of  God.  It  received  last 
year  §642,645,  which  was  835,000  less  than  the  sum  received  in  the 
preceding  year,  but  the  falling  off  was  mainly  owing  to  a  diminution 
in  legacies,  while  the  -general  receipts  were  as  large  as  ever.  The 
amount  of  money  received  last  year  was  8200,000  more  than  its 
largest  receipts  during  any  year  previous  to  the  rebellion.  The  capa- 
city of  the  Bible  Society  was  taxed  to  the  utmost  during  the  war. 
Although  capable  of  throwing  off,  through  its  steam-power  presses, 
twelve  copies  of  the  Word  of  God  every  working  minute,  there  were 
times  when  the  demand  from  the  army  was  such  that  those  presses 
were  unable  to  meet  it,  and  it  never  fell  during  all  that  time  below 
the  issue  of  nine  copies  per  minute.  When  the  war  commenced  we 
had  an  army  of  16,000  men,  scattered  from  Maine  to  California,  but 
in  the  course  of  the  war  there  were  called  into  the  field  2,000,000  of 
men,  young  men  from  schools  and  seminaries,  young  men  unused  to 
the  hardships  of  the  battle-field  ;  and  the  Christian  people  of  the  laud 
felt  that  we  ought  not  only  to  follow  these  young  men  with  our  prayers, 
but  that  we  ought  above  all  to  furnish  them  with  the  bread  of  life, 
through  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  During  the  four  years  of  the 
struggle  there  were  distributed,  among  the  army  and  navy  alone,  over 
2,000,000  copies  of  God's  Word,  in  whole  or  in  part.  The  principal 
agency  for  that  distribution  was  the  United  States  Christian  Com- 
mission, which  distributed  1,466,748  copies,  all  of  which  were  received 
gratuitously  from  the  American  Bible  Society,  with  the  exception  of 
15,000  copies  forwarded  to  us  from  your  own  depository;  and  I  am 
here  to-day  to  return  to  you  our  grateful  thanks  for  that  contribution. 
It  was  one  of  a  most  welcome  description,  and  there  was  hardly  an 
officer  commanding  a  corps,  division,  or  a  brigade  in  the  whole  army, 
who  was  not  supplied  with  one  of  your  neatly  bound  volumes.  We 
not  only  received  from  this  Society  15,000  copies  of  God's  Word,  but 
we  also  received  an  assurance  that  if  we  drew  at  sight  our  drafts 
would  be  honored.  We  felt  grateful  for  that  noble  offer ;  but,  thanks 
be  to  God,  our  own  Society  had  means  placed  in  its  treasury  which 
enabled  it  to  meet  every  want.  Let  me  now  allude  to  one  of  the 
many  incidents  in  the  American  war.  I  don't  know  what  "  the  Old 
Lady  in  Threadneedle  Street,"  as  the  Bank  of  England  is  called, 
would  say  if  she  were  asked  to  give  five  pounds  for  a  copy  of  a  note 


282  ANNALS    OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

which  I  hold  in  my  hand  ;  but  she  would  probably  say,  "  We  don't 
do  business  in  that  way."  This  is  the  bank-note  sent  by  a  poor 
woman  in  England,  during  the  war,  to  buy  Bibles  for  the  soldiers  of 
the  North.  Fifty  or  a  hundred  guineas  would  not  buy  it  (here  hold- 
ing up  the  original  bank  bill),  for  it  has  incited  to  many  other  gifts, 
and  brought  "much  money"  to  our  treasury;  and  if  you  have  any 
difficulty,  my  lord,  with  regard  to  your  Building  Fund,  it  might  per- 
haps be  well  if  you  wrere  to  borrow  it.  The  letter  enclosing  it  is  as 
follows.  It  was  addressed  to  President  Lincoln,  and  by  him  sent 
to  me. 

Dear  President:  I  hope  you  will  pardon  me  for  troubling  you.  Ohio  is  my 
native  State,  and  I  so  much  wish  to  send  a  trifle  in  the  shape  of  a  £5  Bank-of- 
England  note,  to  buy  Bibles  for  the  poor  wounded  soldiers  of  the  North,  whidh 
I  hope  they  may  read.  Yours,  very  respectfully, 

MARY  TALBOT  SORBY. 
Fir  Cliff,  Derbydale,  Derbyshire,  England. 

Let  me  now  say  a  word  or  two  about  our  United  States  Christian 
Commission,  which  exerted  itself  so  much  among  our  soldiers  during 
the  war.  That  Commission  was  simply  the  Church  of  Christ,  in  all 
her  branches,  in  an  organized  form,  going  forth  in  time  of  war,  as  our 
blessed  Master  went  through  the  streets  of  Jerusalem  and  along  the 
shores  of  Galilee.  Some  might  ask,  Where  did  these  men  get  their 
commission  to  go  forth  to  the  army,  carrying  bread  for  the  body  in 
one  hand  and  the  Bread  of  Life  in  the  other  ?  I  believe  they  got  it 
from  the  example  of  our  Saviour  Himself.  We  sent  forth  the  Bible 
and  other  books,  by  the  hands  of  men  of  burning  zeal,  not  mere  per- 
functory agents.  There  were  ministers  who  came  to  us,  and  offered 
themselves  for  the  work ;  but  Ave  said,  "  No ;  you  have  not  succeeded 
at  home,  and  you  are  not  likely  to  succeed  in  the  army."  We  wanted 
only  men  who  were  willing  to  put  off  the  black  coat  and  the  white 
cravat,  and  would  put  on  the  army  attire,  and,  if  need  be,  would 
undertake  to  make  with  their  own  hands  gruel  for  the  soldiers.  I 
will  tell  you  what  happened  on  one  occasion.  A  Rev.  Doctor  of 
Divinity  was  engaged  in  making  gruel  for  the  soldiers,  and  was  put- 
ting into  the  gruel  something  that  would  make  it  more  palatable. 
Some  of  the  soldiers  were  busily  watching  his  movements,  and  one  of 
them  exclaimed,  "  Go  it,  Doctor;  put  some  more  of  that  stuff  in,  and 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  283 

it  will  be  the  real  Calvinistic  gruel."  In  another  case,  a  man  saw  a 
Rev.  Doctor  engaged  in  washing  bloody  shirts  in  a  brook,  and  he 
called  out  to  him,  "Doctor,  what  are  you  doing?"  The  Doctor  re- 
plied, "  The  shirts  supplied  to  the  army  are  exhausted,  and  also  those 
of  our  own  Commission.  The  wounded  are  suffering  from  their  stif- 
fened and  clotted  shirts,  and  I  thought  I  might  undertake  to  wash  a 
few  of  them  in  the  brook.  Do  you  think  I  am  wrong?"  "Wrong!" 
said  the  other,  "  Oh,  no.  I  never  saw  you  walking  so  closely  in  the 
footsteps  of  your  Divine  Master  before."  These  men  have  not  only 
administered  to  the  bodily  wants  of  the  soldiers,  but  to  their  moral, 
and  chiefly  to  their  spiritual  necessities.  They  circulated  upwards 
of  eight  millions  of  copies  of  knapsack  books,  including  such  works 
as  Newman  Hall's  "  Come  to  Jesus,"  and  Mr.  Reid's  "  Blood  of 
Jesus."  The  history  of  these  books  will  never  be  written.  They 
came  back  to  the  families  of  the  soldiers  in  America,  many  of  them 
stained  with  their  former  owners'  blood.  They  have  become  heir- 
looms of  those  families,  and  they  will  never  be  parted  with.  Besides 
these,  there  were  eighteen  million  copies  of  our  best  religious  news- 
papers issued  to  the  army,  fresh  as  they  appeared  from  the  press. 
The  total  receipts  of  the  Commission  were  six  and  a  quarter  millions 
of  dollars.  The  books,  etc.,  were  distributed  by  about  five  thousand 
unpaid  agents.  How  did  we  get  these  agents?  They  got  nothing 
for  their  labors.  We  would  not  employ  any  agents  who  wanted  pay 
for  their  work,  except  a  few  permanent  men  to  superintend  the  work. 
We  have  gone  to  wardens  of  a  church  and  said,  "  We  want  your 
pastor  to  labor  for  us  for  a  few  months."  We  have,  on  one  occasion 
at  least,  arrested  the  ministrations  of  the  pulpit  for  the  urgent  de- 
mands of  the  field  of  conflict.  And  these  men  did  get  pay,  pay  far 
richer  than  was  ever  coined  in  any  mint ;  it  was  the  "  God  bless 
you"  of  the  dying  soldier. 

It  may  be  asked,  "In  this  work  of  distributing  the  Bible,  was 
there  not  wilful  waste?"  I  am  bold  to  say  there  was  not.  I  have 
myself  distributed  many  thousand  copies  of  the  Bible,  and  I  never 
met  with  a  refusal  but  once,  and  that  was  from  a  German  infidel. 
Now  I  belong  to  that  portion  of  young  America  which  was  born  in 
Ireland,— excuse  me  for  that,— and  I  do  not  know  what  it  is  to  trive 
in.  So  I  thought  I  would  endeavor  to  take  the  German  infidel  1>\  a 
flank  movement.  I  called  his  attention  to  the  beauty  of  the  book.  It 


284  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

was  very  handsomely  got  up.  I  told  him  it  was  what  was  called  Crom- 
well's Bible,  and  I  told  him  how  Cromwell's  soldiers  had  read  this 
book,  and  how  it  enabled  them  to  fight  so  vigorously ;  but  still  I 
gained  nothing  by  my  flank  movement.  I  Avas  about  to  leave  him, 
when  I  thought  I  would  make  another  attempt.  I  asked  him  where 
he  was  from.  "  From  Philadelphia."  "  Philadelphia !  why  that  is 
my  own  city."  He  brightened  up  at  this,  and  asked  the  street  where 
I  lived.  I  told  him  in  such  and  such  a  street,  and  I  said,  "  I  am 
going  back  there,  and  I  expect  to  tell  the  result  of  my  labors,  in  the 
largest  Protestant  Episcopal  church  in  that  city,  on  Sabbath  evening 
next."  Don't  be  alarmed,  Episcopalians  and  Presbyterians,  at  the 
fact  of  a  layman  like  myself  being  allowed  to  speak  there.  "  Well," 
he  said,  "and  what  will  you  say?"  "I  shall  tell  them  that  I  have 
been  engaged  for  so  long  a  time  in  distributing  Bibles  among  our 
soldiers ;  that  I  never  met  with  but  one  refusal,  and  that  he  was  a 
soldier  from  our  own  city."  "Well,  and  what  more  will  you  say?" 
"  Why,  I  shall  tell  them  that  I  began  to  distribute  Bibles  this  morn- 
ing at  the  White  House,"  —  a  place  somewhat  like  your  Buckingham 
Palace,  only  not  so  fine.  "  And  who  was  the  first  man  to  whom  I 
offered  a  copy  ?  Why,  it  was  to  President  Abraham  Lincoln.  When 
I  went  to  see  the  President  he  was  writing,  and  when  I  handed  him 
a  copy  of  Cromwell's  Bible  he  stood  up, — and  you  know  he  was  a 
very  tall  man  and  took  a  long  time  to  straighten.  He  received  the 
Bible,  and  made  me  a  low  bow,  and  thanked  me ;  and  now  I  shall 
have  to  go  back  and  tell  him  that  one  of  his  soldiers,  who  was  fight- 
ing his  battles,  refused  to  take  the  book  which  he  had  accepted  so 
gladly."  The  German  softened  at  once.  He  said,  "  Did  the  Presi- 
dent take  the  book? — well,  then,  I  guess  I  may  take  one  too." 

I  must  say,  that  in  the  distribution  of  copies  of  the  Bible  the 
refusals  to  receive  them  were  not  more  than  one  in  a  thousand,  and 
these  were  Roman  Catholics,  while  I  am  glad  to  say  that  many  of 
these  gladly  and  thankfully  received  the  Word  of  God.  But  was 
there  any  waste  of  the  books  so  received  ?  No,  a  soldier  would  part 
with  any  thing  rather  than  his  New  Testament;  "and,"  said  a  little 
fellow,  a  soldier  from  Pittsburg,  to  his  comrade,  when  the  Union 
army  was  repulsed  from  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg,  when  the 
rebels  were  pouring  in  shot  and  shell  upon  our  retreating  columns, 
"  Joe,"  said  he,  "  if  it  were  not  that  the  Testament  given  me  by  my 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  285 

mother  is  in  my  knapsack,  I  would  throw  it  away,  but  I  can't  <!.,  it." 
Wilful  waste  was,  I  believe,  entirely  unknown.  I  have  been  in  cor- 
respondence with  thousands  of  agents  who  have  been  engaged  in  this 
work  of  distribution ;  and  I  have  only  heard  of  one  case  where  a 
soldier  wilfully  threw  away  his  Bible.  I  have  the  copy  with  me 
here  to-day  ;  and  as  my  beloved  brother,  Baptist  Noel,  said  that  the 
Word  of  God  would  never  return  to  Him  void,  so  I  am  here  to  say, 
that  though  this  soldier,  with  a  wicked  and  diabolical  heart,  threw 
away  his  Testament  in  the  streets  of  Memphis,  that  Testament  was 
picked  up  by  another  soldier,  himself  also  careless  and  wicked,  but 
who  was  led,  from  the  reading  of  it,  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  where  he 
found  peace  and  joy.  It  was  sent  to  the  American  Bible  Society 
(the  copy  referred  to  was  here  exhibited),  who  treasure  it  as  a  relic, 
or  rather  as  a  memento  of  the  war. 

The  Bible  was  not  only  instrumental  in  saving  souls ;  there  are 
hundreds  of  cases  where  it  was  also  instrumental  in  saving  the  lives 
of  the  soldiers.  Here  is  a  copy  (holding  it  up)  which  was  published 
in  England  by  Messrs.  Eyre  &  Spottiswoode.  That  Testament  has 
a  history  which,  if  it  could  speak,  I  might  well  remain  silent.  It 
ran  the  blockade ;  it  found  its  way  to  a  soldier  of  the  Southern  army, 
who  placed  it  in  his  bosom,  and  here  is  the  hole  which  was  made  by 
a  bullet,  which,  entering  at  the  last  chapter  of  the  Revelation,  pene- 
trated through  to  the  first  chapter  of  Matthew,  and,  grazing  the 
outer  cover,  saved  the  man's  life.  There  are  hundreds  of  such 
copies  preserved  in  numerous  families  throughout  America,  and 
money  could  not  purchase  them. 

The  desire  to  receive  copies  of  the  Word  of  God  is  not  to  be  described. 
I  stood  on  the  top  of  an  omnibus,  in  the  midst  of  three  thousand  sol- 
diers, on  a  hill  in  Virginia,  and  they  all  clamored  round  me  for 
books  to  read.  A  Delegate  of  the  Commission  visited  the  first  Ten- 
nessee cavalry,  and  he  wrote  me  a  letter,  the  substance  of  which  was: 
"  Dear  Brother  Stuart, —  I  never  bought  a  pack  of  cards  but  once, 
and  I  want  to  tell  you  the  circumstances  under  which  I  bought  them. 
I  came  to  a  spot  where  I  found  four  young  men, — mere  boys  they  were, 
and  might  be  the  sons  of  pious  mothers, — and  they  were  playing  at 
cards.  I  said,  '  Boys,  I  should  like  to  make  an  exchange  with  you. 
I  will  give  you  copies  of  this  beautiful  edition  of  the  New  Testament 
in  exchange  f6r  thid  puck  of  curds.'  They  exclaimed,  'That  i>  ju.<t 


286  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

what  we  want.  We  are  playing  with  these  cards  because  time  hangs 
so  heavy  on  our  hands  in  this  dull  camp-life.  We  have  nothing  to 
read.  We  are  glad  of  anything  to  pass  away  the  time.'  I  handed 
to  each  of  them  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament.  '  Now,  won't  you  be 
kind  enough  to  write  your  name  in  it,'  they  said,  '  that  we  may 
know  to  whom  wre  are  indebted  for  these  books?'  I  wrote  my  name 
accordingly,  and  then  I  said,  '  Now,  won't  you  be  kind  enough  to 
write  your  names  on  these  cards,  that  I  may  know  from  whom  I 
have  received  them?'  But  there  was  not  one  of  them  who  would 
acknowledge  the  cards." 

But  I  must  pass  on.  Let  me  only  say  that  all  that  has  been  writ- 
ten or  said  as  to  the  effect  of  the  Word  of  God  in  the  army  is  true, 
and  far  more.  Let  me  give  you  one  or  two  instances  of  the  power  of 
the  Word  of  God  among  the  dying  on  the  battle-field.  At  the  bloody 
field  of  Williamsburg  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  was  mortally 
wounded.  His  sufferings  were  indescribable ;  he  could  not  restrain 
his  moans  and  groans.  A  comrade  found  his  way  over  to  cheer  him, 
and  to  encourage  him  to  hold  up.  "  Oh,  William,"  he  said,  "  1  had 
hoped  to  die  surrounded  by  my  family  and  the  friends  of  my  youth  ; 
but  here  I  must  pass  away.  If  you  should  survive  the  war,  I  wish  to 
send  a  message  home  to  my  family.  I  have  a  dear  wife  at  home, 
two  sweet  children,  and  an  aged  mother,  who  loved  me,  and  whom  I 
dearly  loved."  He  then  took  from  his  breast  a  packet,  in  which  was 
his  wife's  portrait.  "  Open  that,"  he  said ;  and,  handing  his  com- 
panion a  letter,  said,  "  Read  this,  her  last  letter  to  me,  and  then  I 
shall  think  I  see  and  hear  her  again.  My  dear  mother,  when  I  parted 
from  her,  followed  me  to  the  door.  She  could  not  speak,  but  I  knew 
what  she  meant,  and,  as  her  parting  gift,  she  put  this  Bible  into  my 
hands.  Take  it  back  to  her.  Tell  her  that  the  reading  of  it  led  me 
to  pray,  to  give  my  heart  to  Jesus.  It  has  kept  me  from  the  evils 
of  the  army  and  the  vices  of  camp-life.  It  has  brought  me,  though 
on  this  cold,  damp  earth,  to  die  a  happy,  a  peaceful,  and,  I  trust,  a 
triumphant  death."  He  looked  up  to  heaven  with  a  sweet  smile, 
and  said,  "Good-by,  my  dear  wife  and  children;  farewell,  my  beloved 
mother ;  we  shall  meet  again  in  heaven."  And  then,  with  a  long 
farewell  to  weary  marches,  the  dying  soldier  passed  away,  attended 
by  angels  to  glory,  as  truly  as  if  he  had  been  at  home.  So  at  the 
bloody  conflict  of  Stone  River,  during  a  lull  of  thflA-ht.  the  cries  of 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR.  287 

a  wounded  soldier  were  heard,  asking  for  assistance,  but  soon  his  cries 
were  drowned  in  the  renewed  roar  of  the  artillery.  When  the  con- 
flict was  over,  then  came  the  ghastly  work  of  sorting  the  dead  from 
the  living.  When  the  men  who  were  despatched  for  this  service 
reached  the  spot  from  whence  these  cries  proceeded,  they  found  a  lad 
of  nineteen,  dead,  and  leaning  against  the  stump  of  a  tree.  His  eyes 
were  open,  though  fixed  in  death;  a  celestial  smile  was  on  his  coun- 
tenance; his  well-worn  Bible  was  open,  with  his  finger,  cold  and  stiff 
in  death,  pointing  to  that  passage  which  has  cheered  the  heart  of 
many  a  dying  Christian :  "  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  Thou  art  with  me;  Thy  rod 
and  Thy  staff  they  comfort  me."  Oh,  mother,  wife,  sister,  if  that  had 
been  your  son,  husband,  or  brother,  who  had  died  under  such  circum- 
stances, what  would  you  not  give  for  the  possession  of  this  blessed 
copy  of  the  Word  of  God  ? 

And  what  has  been  the  effect  of  the  distribution  of  Bibles  in  the 
army  ?  I  want  it  to  be  proclaimed  over  the  whole  of  this  country, 
that  in  five  months  General  Grant,  the  noble  hero  of  our  war,  and 
the  accepted  instrument  in  crushing  out  rebellion  and  restoring  our 
glorious  Union,  sent  over  eight  hundred  thousand  soldiers  back  to 
their  homes  and  places  of  business ;  and  it  may  be  asked  what  has 
been  the  conduct  of  these  since  their  return.  I  have  seen  the  returns 
that  were  made  in  answer  to  official  inquiries  throughout  one  State, — 
Massachusetts, — and,  with  a  few  exceptions,  the  soldiers  have  returned 
home  better  men  than  when  they  left ;  they  have  gone  back  to  their 
work ;  they  have  saved  money;  they  are,  in  most  cases,  the  better  for 
their  service  in  the  army.  I  am  here  to  bear  to  this  land  glad  tidings 
from  the  land  of  my  adoption,  that  our  churches,  in  many  places, 
where  Jesus  is  faithfully  preached,  are  being  revived,  and  they  are 
receiving  showers  of  blessings,  so  that  there  is  scarcely  room  to  receive 
them.  One  of  our  churches  lately  received  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
eight  new  members,  upwards  of  one  hundred  of  them  from  the  world. 
Another  church  received  an  accession  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-five 
members,  nearly  all  of  them  from  the  world.  A  general  in  the 
Union  army  wrote  to  me,  a  few  days  before  I  left  America,  to  the 
following  effect :  "  I  have  lately  had  little  or  nothing  to  do  with  the 
army;  but,  notwithstanding,  my  hands  are  full,  for  I  am  going  about 
assisting  ministers  of  the  gospel  to  preach  the  Word."  Our  prayer 


288  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

is,  that  those  showers  of  blessings  which  are  now  falling  upon  us 
may  reach,  not  only  to  the  British  islands,  but  be  extended  over  all 
the  earth. 

Oh,  my  friends,  I  wish  I  had  time  to  tell  you  how  much  I  love 
this  Society;  but  it  is  time  I  should  bring  my  address  to  a  close. 
England  and  America  speak  the  same  language ;  they  worship  the 
same  God, — Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost;  they  are  the  two  great 
Protestant  nations  of  the  earth,  and  woe  to  the  hand  that  ever  causes 
blood  to  flow  between  them.  England  and  America, — there  may 
have  occasionally  risen  up  difference  of  opinion  between  them,  but  I 
say  here  what  I  wrote  a  short  time  since  to  a  member  of  the  Wash- 
ington Cabinet.  I  said  to  him,  "  Sir,  I  believe,  all  through  this 
terrible  conflict,  there  are  no  two  agencies  which  God  has  so  much 
blessed,  in  the  preserving  of  peace  between  the  two  countries,  as  the 
British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  and  the  American  Bible  Society." 
I  say,  God  bless  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society ;  God  bless  its 
honored  President ;  may  he  be  long  spared  to  carry  on  his  work  of 
usefulness !  God  bless  the  American  Bible  Society ;  God  bless  its 
honored  President!  God  bless  the  Queen  of  England  ;  long  may  she 
reign  over  a  prosperous  and  a  free  country !  God  bless  the  President 
of  the  United  States!  And  now,  my  friends,  my  work  is  done. 
Pardon  the  imperfections  of  my  speech.  If  I  have  stammered  in 
what  I  have  said,  I  can  only  say  that  I  spoke  out  of  the  fulness  of 
my  heart.  I  long  for  the  coming  of  that  day  when  all  wars  shall 
cease,  and  when  Jesus  Christ  shall  rule  over  all  lands. 

We  are  living,  we  are  dwelling, 

In  a  grand  and  awful  time, 
In  an  age  on  ages  telling ; 

To  be  living  is  sublime. 
Hark !  the  Avaking  up  of  nations, 

Gog  and  Magog  to  the  fray ; 
Hark!  what  soundeth ? — is  creation 

Groaning  for  its  latter  day  71 

1  At  the  close  of  the  address,  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury  arose  and  took  Mr.  Stuart 
by  the  hand,  and,  amid  the  general  applause  of  the  assembly,  said,  "With  my 
whole  heart  I  reiterate  your  prayer,  —  God  bless  the  President  of  America ; 
God  bless  the  Queen  of  England ;  and  may  peace  ever  reign  between  the  two 
countries ! " 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR. 


289 


TABLE  I.— REPORT  OF   THE   TREASURER. 
JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  TREASURER,  IN  ACCOUNT  WITH  U.  S.  CHRISTIAN 
DR.  COMMISSION. 


Jan.  1, 
Dec.  .".0 

To  balance  from  1864  
To  cash  received  as  follows: 
From  Branch  Offices  
At  Washington  Ageucyl  
At  Nashville  and  Louisville 

$5,420  12 

229,012  82 
3,197  43 

Dec.  30 

By  cash  paid  as  follows  : 
For  hospital  supplies.  
For  publications  
Stationery   for  soldiers  ane 

$48,817  28 
17-J...:.>    U 

Agencies1  
At  various  Army  Agencies1.. 
From  Soldiers  and  Sailors  
From  Pacific  Christian  Com.. 
From  Ladies'  Chris.  Com:  of 
Pacific  

3,819  22 
1,655  59 
1.322  10 

21,868  85 

15,913  00 

- 

Tents,   chupels,  and    chapel 
furniture  „.. 
Diet-kitchen  furniture  
Wagons,  horses,  and    other 
stock  

6,011  33 
110  70 

6,296  20 

From  Fairs  in  California  
From  General  Collections  in 
California  

2,815  36 
327  08 

- 

Drafts^  Nashvi'l^and  gJU.'ul8- 
ville  Agencies  

njtn  --. 

Frotu  Oregon  Christian  Com. 
From  Ladies'  Chris.  Com.  in 

15,346  13 
1386  00 

Drafts,  Richmond  Agency.... 
Drafts,  Fort  Monroe  Agency. 

360  00 
1,877  59 

From  Aid  Societies  in  Oregon. 
From  Individuals.  Philada... 
From  churches,  Philadelphia. 
From  Ladies'  Christian  Com., 

509  20 
44,639  57 
8,465  96 

Draftg'.IIarpor's  Ferry  A  gi-ncy 
Delegates'  expenses  
Salaries  of  Permanent  Army 

7.497  09 
14,954  77 

5  073  32' 

Philadelphia 

4  562  93 

From  Corporations,  Philada.. 

3,013  38 

Diet-Kitchens.... 

961  00 

From     General    Collections, 
etc.,  Philadelphia  
From  Individuals,  Penna  
From  churches,  Penna  
From  Ladies'  C.  Com.,  Penna.. 
From     General    Collections, 

6,045  00 
4,064  91 
4,790  29 
1,756  43 

5  515  61 

Salaries  of  Home  Agents  
Meeting  expenses,  and  travel- 
ing expenses  of  Agents.... 
Office  expenses,  postage,  ad- 
vertising, incidentals  
Counterfeit    and    uncurrent 

14,609  67 
6,756  02 
6,799  37 

From  Aid  Societies,  Penna... 
From  Fairs,  etc.,  etc.,  Penna. 
From    Individuals   in   other 

3,636  36 
4,688  73 

12968  90 

Express,  drayage,  labor,  etc.. 
Drafts,  St.  Louis  Agency  
Drafts,  Baltimore  Agency  

5,(>44  23 

1-  
8,  

From  General  Collections  in 
other  States  

9,199  58 

II.  Stuart,  Jos.  Patterson, 
Stephen   Col  well    John  P 

From  Aid  Societies  in  other 
Stntes  

6,972  77 

Crozer,  and  Matthew  Simp- 

from  Ladies'  C.  C.  in  other 
States  

5,169  07 

Executive  Committee,   to 
pay  all  debts  due,  or  that 

From     churches     in     other 
States  

5,137  74 

may  become  due,  and  all 

From  Meetings,  etc.,  in  other 
States  
From  Ladies'  Hawaiian  C.  C., 
Sandwich  Islands  :... 
From  other  foreign  countries. 
Kroin   proceeds  of   sales   of 
stock 

7,738  37 

5.500  00 
2,079  27 

2°  087  96 

closing  affairs  of  the  Com- 
mission, and  to  apply  the 
remainder  of  such  funds  to 
the  spiritual  and  temporal 
benefit  of  those  who  are, 
have  been,  or  may  be  Sol- 
diers and  Sailors  in  the  ser- 

Returned from  Agencies  

4,943  32 

vice  of  the  United  States, 
in  such  ways  as  they  shall 
deem  best  

10770  93 

Total  

$475,569  05 

$475,600  05 

1  A  large  proportion  of  these  amounts  were  from  soldiers  and  sailor*. 

Having  examined  the  foregoing  account  of  JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the  C.  8.  Chrit- 
tian  Commission,  and  the  vouchers  submitted  therewith,  and  the  corresponding  Bank  Accounts, 
and  having  had  the  several  additions  made  by  a  careful  and  competent  accountant,  we  find  the 
whole  to  be  correct,  leaving  a  balance  in  the  Treasury  on  the  31st  day  of  January,  1866,  of  ten 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy  dollars  and  ninety-three  cents  ($10,770.93),  which  wa«  p*id 
this  day,  January  31,  1866,  to  the  following  named  Trustees :  Geo.  II.  Stuart,  Jo«.  Patterson,  John 
P.  Crozer,  Stephen  Col  well,  and  Matthew  Simpson,  D.  D. ;  leaving  no  balance  In  the  hands  of  the  Tr*»- 
surer,  which  finally  closes  his  account.  HORATIO  GATE*  Jo.itt. 

STCPIIKN  COLWCLL. 

PHILADELPHIA,  January  31, 1866.  JOIIM  P.  CBOI». 

37 


290 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


TABLE  II.  — CASH  RECEIPTS,  TRANSFERS,  AND  BALANCES  OF  CENTRAL 
OFFICE,  BRANCHES,  BASE  OFFICES,  AND  ARMY  AGENCIES,  DURING 
1865. 


========^- 

OFFICES. 

I. 

Balance  on 
hand  per  last 
AnnualReport, 
Dec.  31.  1864. 

Cash  received 
directly  into 
the  various 
Treasuries. 

III. 
Cash  remitted 
by  Ceut'l  Office 
to  Branches 
and  Agencies. 

IV. 
Cash  remitted 

Branch  Office 
to  others. 

V. 

Total  Cash  Re- 
ceipts,  includ- 
ing Balance 
from  1864. 

PHILADELPHIA  
Albany  
Baltimore  
Bangor  
Bath  
Boston  
Brooklyn  
Buffalo  
Chicago  
Cincinnati  
Cleveland  
Detroit  
Harrisburg  
Hartford  
Indianapolis  
Milwaukee  
Newark  
New  Haven  
New  York  . 
Peoria  
Pitteburg  
Portland  
Providence  
Rochester  
Springfield  
St.  Louis  
St.  Paul  
Troy  
Utica  

Base  Offices. 
Nashville  and  Louisville  

$5,420  12 
6J710  72 

$241,136  11 
7,127  51 
19,744  99 
5,100  00 
4,551  44 
84,047  65 
9,884  43 
13,540  01 
73,072  28 
38,396  14 
6,937  59 
10,681  19 
1,895  83 
10,000  29 
9,332  01 
8,868  67 
5,432  73 
4,933  15 
116,337  30 
12,729  33 
42,896  81 
7,968  27 
10,328  09 
2,433  00 
33,553  17 
34,698  66 
2,202  53 
2,930  81 
7,597  71 

$3,000  '06 

$229,012  82 

$475,569  05 
7,127  51 
29,455  71 
5.100  00 
4,551  44 
104,385  51 
20.208  92 
15,927  85 
76.979  25 
43,073  57 
8,144  17 
12.274  58 
1,926  33 
12.623  96 
16,615  70 
8,868  67 
5,432  73 
4.933  15 
155,342  99 
20,016  19 
45,769  20 
7,968  27 
10,328  09 
3.333  00 
33,553  17 
88,682  05 
3,123  24 
3153  55 
8,123  80 

39.203  64 
52,851  56 

41.366  73 
360  00 
1,877  59 
76900 
7,497  08 

:::::::::::: 

3,778  59 

"sV'o'is 

594  83 
3,500  00 

16,559  27 
10,324  49 
2,017  66 
3,312  14 
1,177  43 
1,206  58 
1,593  39 
30  50 
2,623  67 
7,283  69 

I2i6o6"oo 

37,970  57  ° 
52,851  56" 

41,366  73" 
360  00" 

3R,m's9 

39,005  69 
7,286  86 
2,872  39 

900  66 

sioss'so 

920  71 
222  74 
526  09 

1,233  07 

Army  Agencies. 
City  Point  

Richmond  

Newborn  
Harper's  Ferry  

769  00" 
7,497  09" 

Totals  |    $116,315  71 

$828,357  70 

$157,692  54 

$274,151  31 

$1,376,517  26 

Including  donations  and  proceeds  of  sales  of  stock,  credited  as  cash  from  Central  Office. 


THE    FOURTH    YEAR. 


TABLE  III.  — NUMBER  OF  PACKAGES  DISTRIBUTED,  AND  NUMBER 
AND  VALUE  OF  PACKAGES  OF  DONATED  STORES  AND  PUBLICA- 
TIONS, DURING  1865. 


OFFICES. 

I. 

Number  of 

Packages  of 
Stores  Dis- 
tributed. 

Number  of 
Boxes  and 
Packages  of 
Publications 
Distributed. 

III. 

Number  of 
Boxes  and 

Donated0 
Stores. 

Number  of 
Boxes  and 
Packages  of 
Donated 

Publtcat'ns. 

Value  of 
Dot 
Store*. 

Vauio, 
Donated 
PubllcafDs. 

PHILADELPHIA  

5,318 

3,852 

560 
54 
747 

""353 
269 
3,114 
370 
275 
173 
152 
34 
1,048 

98 
5 
55 
6 
45 

$119.746  21 
3,682  24 
11,200  00 
6.600  00 
108,025  00 

$8,40015 

i:  .  M 

1,400  00 
400  00 
46,960  00 
3,000  00 

l,76o"(ib 
3,024  00 
1,200  00 

Baltimore  
Bath  Me.  

2,447 

350 

Boston  

116 

47 
50 

44 
27 
8 

3 

6,103  98 
13.450  00 
289.602  74 
5.500  00 
8,000  00 
26,500  00 
12.900  00 
1,487  50 
54,915  20 
350  00 
3,000  00 
9,360  76 
5.500  00 
423,791  10 
4,000  00 
1,600  CO 
4,773  00 
12,425  00 
425  00 
1.500  00 
5,820  00 
1,800  CO 

493 
3,446 
150 

56 
161 
8 

Cincinnati  

Hartford  
Indianapolis  
Louisville  

141 
492 
34 
1,048 

3 

500  00 

eiMsTii 

4",225"i)6 

Milwaukee  
Newark  N  J 

New  Haven  
New  York  

""l63 
135 
7,061 

97 
""l05 

38 
40 
121 

^ 
48 
110 
934 
13 
30 
97 
40 

'"63 

"lie 

5 
30 
83 

"'  6 

Peoria  

Portland  

150  00 
1,275  00 
3,450  00 

"28006 
1,360  00 

Springfield,  Mass  

32 
2,349 
35 
10 

38 
1,182 

3 

St.  Paul  

Utica  

1,927 

• 

Totals  

25,672 

5,952 

14,841 

624 

$1,141,957  73  $83,026  26 

TABLE  IV.  — TOTAL  OF  PUBLICATIONS  DISTRIBUTED  IN  1865.  SHOWING 
GRANTS  OF  AMERICAN  BIBLE  SOCIETY,  AND  THE  QUANTITIES  PUR- 
CHASED AT  EACH  OFFICE. 


OFFICES. 

I. 

Bibles,  Tcs- 

"craiits  of" 
Am.  Bible 
Society. 

II. 

IST 

Psalm 
Books. 

III. 

Knapsack 
Books,  in 
Flexible 
or  Paper 
Covers. 

IV. 

Bound  Li- 
brary 
Books. 

V. 
Maga- 
zines an.l 
Pam- 
phlets. 

VI. 

Weekly  & 

>I..|,|"MV 
IMIKI..IU 

News- 
papers. 

VII. 

'•„-  .:' 

187,110 
300 
6,550 
1,869 
1,500 

9,940 
200 
10,956 

122,311 

3,100 
25.800 
500 
63,130 
65,091 
300 
2,930 

1,595.067 
500 
25.372 
16.580 
5,000 
14.721 
458,083 
500 
20,568 
400 
134.276 
119.61)9 
75,600 
144,662 

98,250 
150 
1,250 
14.460 
4,500 
3,328 
8,678 

"i',210 
"6,733 

"6,318 
14,904 

174,120 
1,000 
1,376 

2J65 
18,117 
150 
615 

1SJB8 

896 
37.020 
6,285 

3,689.746 
2,000 
56.800 
22,800 
3,500 
410,000 

MK',,2:i«; 

6.000 
18,119 
6,<iOO 
577.650 

!»U>,us 
6i;>,4S5 

7,615 

1.362.415 
10.000 
60.300 

wjm 

20.000 
85.808 
101,658 

""ib.4M 
16,000 
238,734 

-.,*,:, 
U'MflO 

J= 

Albany  

Boston  
Brooklyn 

Chicago  
Cincinnati 

Detroit  

IndianHpolix  
Louisville 

New  York  
Peoria 

8,635 
12,008 
5,310 
9,362 

526 

34,824 
15,809 
18,490 
30,866 

Pittsburg  
St.  Louis  
St.  Paul  
Utica  

Confederate  soldiers'  
Totals  

49,200 
328,879 

379,150 

2,611,028 

159,781 

_••  ....!-• 



,   .,»  ..; 

= 

J.;.J«M 

1  Army  of  the  Mississippi.     Distribution  was  through  the  Memphl.  Bible  Society. 


292 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


TABLE  V.— DELEGATES  COMMISSIONED  IN  1865,  AND  THEIR  WORK.— 
PERMANENT  LABORERS,  ETC. 


I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

OFFICES. 

sioiicd. 

Field,  Janu- 
ary 1,  1866. 

number  of 
days1  service 
of  Delegates. 

Lady  Man- 
agers em- 
ployed. 

Agents  cm- 
ployed.     " 

employed  in 
Home  Work. 

PHILADELPHIA  

192 
3 

6,921 
100 

78 

41 

16 

Baltimore  

27 

648 

6 

1 
1 

Boston  
Brooklyn  

247 
52 
31 

3 

8,645 
1,721 
1433 

1 
3 
4 

Chicago  
Cincinnati  
Cleveland  
Detroit  

51 
155 
5 
33 
5 

4 

2,397 
6,501 
136 
1,320 
170 

5 

1 

4 

1 

5 

1 

i 
i 

Hartford  
Indianapolis  ,  
Louisville  
Milwaukee  

35 
11 

45 
21 

1,307 
448 
1,121 
1,845 
5720 

41 

6 
3 

2 

Peoria  
Pittsburg  
Rochester  
St.  Louis  

30 
40 
2 
39 
g 

1 
9 

16 

1 

1,243 
1,175 
84 
4,764 
241 

1 
7 

22 

5 

1 

50 

1 
3 

4 

90 

Utica  
Washington  

36 

i 

1,449 
500 

1 
1 

Totals  

1,079 

29 

49,982 

157 

108 

53 

TABLE  VI.  — GENERAL  SUMMARY  OF  WORK  AND  DISTRIBUTIONS  FOR 
1862,  1863,  1864,  AND  1865. 


PARTICULARS. 

I. 
1865. 

II. 
1864. 

III. 
1863. 

IV. 
1862. 

V. 

Totals  for 
1862,  18<i3,  1864, 
and  1865. 

Delegates  Commissioned  

1,079 

2,217 

1,189 

374 

4,859 

Aggregate  Number  of  days  of 

Delegates'  service  

49,982 

78,869 

41,118 

11,593 

181,562 

Boxes  of  Stores  and  Publications 

distributed  

31,624 

47,103 

12,648 

3,691 

95,066 

Bibles,  Testaments,  and  portions 
of  Scriptures  distributed  
Hymn  ;uid  Psalm  Books  

328,879 
379,150 

569,594 
489,247 

465,715 
371,859 

102,560 
130,697 

1,466,748 
1,370,953 

Knapsack  Books,   in  paper  or 

flexible  covers  

2,611,028 

4,326,676 

1,254,591 

115,757 

8,308,052 

Bound  Library  Books  

159,781 

93,872 

39,713 

3,450 

296.816 

Magazines  and  Pamphlets  
Religious  Weekly  and  Monthly 
Newspapers  

266,180 
6,818,994 

346,536 

7,990,758 

120,492 
2,931,469 

34,653 
384,781 

767,861 
18,126.002 

Pages  of  Tracts  
"Silent  Comforter,"  etc  

2,492,473 
759 

13,681,342 
3,698 

11,976.722 
3.285 

10,953,706 
830 

39,104,243 

8,572 

Sermons  preached  by  Delegates. 
Prayer-Meetings  held  by  Dele- 

58,308 
77  711 

Letters  written  by  Delegates., 

921321 

NOTE.  — There  were  also  distributed,  by  the  various  Branches  and  Army  Agencies,  during  the 
war,  7,067.,000  sheets  of  paper,  and  7,066,000  envelopes. 


THE   FOURTH   YEAR. 


TABLE  VII. -GENERAL  SUMMARY  OF  RECEIPTS  AND  VALUES  FOR 
1862,  1863,  1864,  AND  1865. 


PARTICULARS. 

1MB.* 

& 

III. 
1669. 

IV. 
MM 

v 

ToUUfoc 

.-...    .-.        -.',, 

•iMiiaci. 

Cash   Receipts  at  Central  and 
lirancli  Offices 

MB£H  10 

1,141,957  73 
83,026  26 
52,382  66 

*1  ,297  ,755  28 
1,169,508  37 
31,296  32 
72,114  83 

$358,23929 
385,829  07 

$40,160  29 
142,150  00 

12^24,512  56 

j-.  •  Ml  :: 
114,322  58 

;:  •  M  M 

1,677  79 

3.750  90 
344,413  69 

216,095  00 
51,815  00 
15,250  00 

Value  of  Stores  climated  to  Cen- 
tral and  Branch  Offices  
Value  of  Publications  donated 
to  Central  ami  Branch  Offices. 
Value  of  Scriptures  donated  by 
American  Bible  Society  
Value  of  Scriptures  donated  bv 
British    and    Foreign    Bible 
Society 

45,071  60 
1,677  79 

10,256  00 

Value  of  Hymn  Books  donated 
liv  Army  Committee.  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association. 
Boston  
Value  of  Delegates'  services  
Value  of  Kailn.ad.  Steamboat, 
and  other  Transportation  fa- 
cilities   

1.962  84 
80,713  69 

51,440  00 
12,325  00 
8.500  00 

1.788  06 
169,920  00 

106,765  00 
26,450  00 
6,750  00 

72,420  00 

44,210  00 
9,380  00 

21,360  00 

13,680  00 
3,650  00 

Value   of  Telegraph   facilities. 
from  Maine  to  California  
Value  of  Kents  of  \\  art-houses 

Totals 

12,260.665  88  'S2.-. 

I 

$916,837  65 

(231.256  29  i  $6,291  .107  68 

*  This  is  the  work  of  four  months  only,  as 
Richmond  and  the  surrender  of  Lee. 


active  campaign  closed  in  April,  with  the  fall  of 


NOTE.  —  There  are  two  items  in  these  tables  that  may  be  considered  repre- 
sentative items,  one  of  the  home  work  and  the  other  of  the  field  work  of  the  Com- 
mission,— Delegates  and  Donations.  A  comparison  of  these  for  the  several 
years  will  best  mark  the  growth  of  the  Commission,  rapid  and  continuous  to 
the  end.  During  the  first  year  of  the  Commission,  356  Delegates  were  commis- 
sioned ;  the  year  following,  1,207;  the  third  year,  2,217;  in  the  four  months 
of  the  fourth  year,  preceding  the  close  of  the  war,  1,023  Delegates  were  sent  out, 
which  rate,  continued  through  the  year,  would  have  given  us  3,069.  Thus, 
reckoning  the  Delegates  by  the  hundred,  for  more  ready  comparison,  they  show 
an  annual  growth  in  the  ratio  of  3,  12,  22,  30.  In  the  first  year  the  receipts 
amounted  to  $231,000 ;  in  the  second  year  they  were  $916,837 ;  in  the  third  year 
they  were  $2,882,347 ;  from  January  to  May,  1865,  one-third  of  a  year  of  active 
campaign,  they  were  $2,228,105,  which  rate,  continued  twelve  months,  would 
have  given,  for  this  last  year,  $6,684,315.  The  donations,  counted  by  the  hun- 
dred thousand,  mark  an  increase  in  the  ratio  of  2,  9,  28,  66. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

AUXILIARIES. 

No  representation  of  the  methods  and  achievements 
of  the  Christian  Commission  would  be  satisfactory  or 
just  that  failed  to  mention  the  operations  of  its  chief 
auxiliaries.  The  spontaneity  and  freedom  of  the  entire 
movement  are  well  illustrated  in  the  origin  and  organi- 
zation of  these  auxiliaries,  and  in  the  nature  of  their  con- 
nection with  the  central  Commission.  No  two  of  them 
were  organized  upon  precisely  the  same  plan,  and  there 
was  great  variety  in  the  details  of  their  methods,  but 
their  unity  of  aim  and  spirit  was  complete,  and  their  co- 
operation could  scarcely  have  been  more  harmonious  or 
more  efficient.  In  one  place,  as  Chicago,  a  vigorous 
committee  of  the  local  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion preceded  the  formation  of  the  Commission  by  months 
of  sanitary  and  religious  labor  among  the  soldiers  at  home 
and  in  the  field,  and  as  soon  as  opportunity  offered  they 
readily  became  the  Commission's  representative  in  their 
community,  and  used  the  Commission  as  their  medium 
of  communication  with  the  army.  In  another  place,  as 
St.  Louis,  the  work  was  begun  by  individual  effort,  and 
afterward  passed  into  the  hands  of  a  local  organization ; 
this  ultimately  becoming  an  auxiliary  of  the  Commission. 
Again,  as  at  Pittsburg,  a  society  which  was  fully  organ- 


AUXILIARIES.  295 

ized  and  acting  as-the  agency  of  an  extensive  community, 
was  made,  by  their  own  vote  and  the  acceptance  of  the 
central   Executive   Committee,  a   Branch   Commission. 
Or,  as  at  Boston,  a  resident  member  of  the  Commission 
was  its  official  and  active  representative,  while  the  Young 
Men's  Association  was  in  hearty  co-operation.    Or  finally, 
as  in  several  places,  after  the  benevolence  of  a  community 
had  for  a  while  reached  the  army  through  various  chan- 
nels, without  any  organized  connection  with  the  Commis- 
sion, an  auxiliary  was  constituted  by  the  formal  action 
of   the  central  Committee.     For  all  that  makes  these 
annals  worthy  of  preservation,  many  of  these  Branches 
are  not  less  entitled  to  commemoration  than  the  main 
Commission  itself.     In  the  gratuitous  and  devoted  ser- 
vices of  those  who  sustained  the  organizations  and  per- 
formed the  principal  share  of  the  work,  as  well  as  in  the 
economy  and  efficiency  of  the  management,  there  was  no 
distinction  among  the  several  societies,  except  such  as 
might  arise  from  peculiarity  of  circumstances  or  position. 
Prominent  business  men  in  all  the  large  cities, — men 
representing  every  evangelical  denomination  of  Chris- 
tians,— gave  their  time,  influence,  and  business  facilities 
to  the  work  of  the  Commission,  nor  did  they  grow  weary 
or  withdraw  until  the  work  was  done.     None  of  these 
labors  enter  at  any  point  into  the  financial  exhibits  of 
the  Commission,  except  that  they  are  absent  from  the 
expense  account.      They  deserve  at  least  this  general 
notice,  to  suggest,  in  connection  with  the  gratuitous  labors 
of  the  thousands  of  Delegates,  how  freely  this  blessed 
charity  was  served.    It  should  also  be  remarked  that  the 
discounts  received  by  the  Commission  in  its  vast  pur- 
chases, throughout  the  country,  supplied  manifoldly  all 


296  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  incidental  expenses  of  working  its  machinery, — so 
that  the  business  men  of  the  nation  were  not  only  large 
contributors  to  the  Commission's  funds,  but  enabled  it 
thus  indirectly  to  distribute  the  nation's  bounty  without 
cost. 

Each  of  the  chief  auxiliaries  was  the  centre  of  a  large 
number  of  smaller  tributaries, — the  town  and  village  aid 
societies.  These  smaller  societies  were  characterized 
oftentimes  by  energy  and  economy  not  less  than  those 
of  the  more  prominent  organizations.  Here  the  women 
were  usually  the  chief  actors,  and  not  seldom  the  work 
was  carried  forward  without  a  penny  of  pecuniary  ex- 
pense. 

Without  pretending  to  entire  accuracy,  the  order  in 
which  the  following  societies  are  mentioned  is  that  of 
the  date  of  organization. 

WASHINGTON  CITY,  D.  C. 

The  early  work  at  this  place  has  been  already  described 
in  part.  Previous  to  the  organization  of  the  Christian 
Commission,  and  mainly  through  the  agency  of  those 
who  were  afterward  identified  with  it,  large  quantities  of 
reading-matter  were  sent  from  this  point  into  the  army. 
Immediately  after  the  meeting  of  the  Commission  in 
Washington,  December,  1861,  an  auxiliary  Army  Com- 
mittee was  appointed  and  rooms  secured.  The  Com- 
mittee, after  two  or  three  changes  made  during  the  fol- 
lowing year,  consisted  of  William  Ballantyne,  Chairman ; 
M.  H.  Miller,  member  of  the  Commission ;  Rev.  John 
Thrush;  Z.  Richards.  The  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  was  also  active  in  co-operation. 

Mr.  Ballantyne  communicates,  under  date  of  January 


AUXILIARIES.  —  WASHINGTON.  297 

22,  1866,  the  following  narrative  of  events  connected 
with  their  early  operations.  It  shows  the  cordial  rela- 
tions and  co-operation  of  the  several  parties  engaged  in 
those  preliminary  movements:  — 

After  a  week's  isolation  from  the  outer  world  (following  the 
attack  upon  the  Massachusetts  and  Pennsylvania  troops  in  Balti- 
more, April  19,  1861),  other  troops  began  to  come  in,  and  many 
of  them  not  supplied  with  the  Word  of  God.  The  Washington  City 
Bible  Society  asked  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  to  under- 
take the  labor  of  distribution,  which  they  cordially  did,  and  appointed 
ten  of  the  most  active  members,  who  districted  the  city  and  most 
faithfully  attended  to  their  duty.  The  troops  at  that  time  were  all 
quartered  inside  the  city,  in  the  largest  buildings  which  could  be  pro- 
cured. While  this  work  of  Bible  supply  was  being  attended  to,  Mr. 
Broughton,  of  the  Boston  Tract  Society,  came  to  Washington,  to  see 
how  their  publications  could  be  best  distributed  to  the  soldiers.  He 
called  upon  me  just  when  some  of  the  Bible  agents  were  in  for  their 
supply.  We  stated  to  him  our  mode  of  operations,  and  he  at  once 
said,  "  This  is  just  what  I  want.  Will  you,  in  addition,  distribute  our 
little  books,  prepared  especially  for  the  soldiers?"  We  answered, 
"  Yes."  Promptly  and  liberally  the  books  came  along,  and  were,  in 
the  way  I  have  mentioned,  carried  to  the  men  for  whom  they  were 
designed,  gratefully  received  and  eagerly  read.  Supplies  of  reading- 
matter  were  also  received  from  the  New  York  Tract  Society,  Massa- 
chusetts S.  S.  Society,  and  others. 

The  troops  were  moved  out  of  the  city  and  across  the  Potomac, 
where  they  could  not  be  so  easily  reached,  although  some  of  the 
young  men  did  follow  them  and  keep  up  the  work.  We  then  sought 
to  make  the  acquaintance  of  all  the  chaplains,  and  inform  them 
where  a  supply  of  Testaments  and  reading  could  be  had  for  their 
men. 

Thus  things  continued,  until  after  the  battle  of  Bull  Run  (Sunday, 
July  21,  1861),  when  a  delegation  from  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  of  New  York  came  to  Washington,  to  render  what  assist- 
ance they  could  to  the  army.  They  were  most  excellent  and  devoted 
men.  Mr.  Vincent  Colyer  remained  after  the  others  had  gone  home, 

38 


298  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  while  thus  engaged  felt  the  necessity  of  a  more  general  organiza- 
tion, which  Avould  represent  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations 
of  the  country,  and  be  the  medium  through  which  the  church  could 
pour  out  its  benefactions  for  our  noble  defenders.  The  suggestion  of 
Mr.  Colyer  was  cordially  endorsed  by  the  Washington  Association, 
and  a  circular  was  issued  urging  the  calling  of  a  Convention  to 
organize  a  Christian  Commission.  Geo.  H.  Stuart,  as  chairman  of 
the  confederated  associations,  issued  the  call,  the  Convention  was  held 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  the  Christian  Commission  organized. 

While  Mr.  Colyer's  proposition  was  being  considered,  and  before 
the  Commission  got  fairly  underway,  the  work  had  so  grown  that 
our  store  could  no  longer  contain  the  amount  of  material  for  use. 
The  General  Government,  being  applied  to,  granted  the  use  of  a  room 
in  the  Post-Office  building,  which,  after  the  organization  of  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission,  was,  by  vote  of  the  Association,  turned 
over  to  it.  This,  however,  soon  being  found  too  small,  the  whole 
material  was  removed  to  the  large  hall  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association.  It  was  the  room  thus  granted  to  the  Association  in 
which  Mr.  Alvord,  of  the  Boston  Tract  Society,  attended  personally 
to  the  distribution  of  their  own  material. 

The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Washington  cares 
little  about  the  honor  of  being  first  in  the  field.  They  were  on  the 
ground,  and  it  was  only  their  duty.  The  Association  hesitated  not 
to  stand  true  to  the  nation's  cause,  although  some  of  our  members  left 
us  and  went  to  their  own  place. 

The  Commission  encountered  peculiar  difficulties  in 
Washington.  A  large  portion  of  the  population,  espe- 
cially in  the  earlier  stages  of  the  war,  was  in  sympathy 
with  the  Southern  cause,  and  a  practical  indifference 
characterized  many  others.  The  sojourners  there,  always 
numerous,  in  pursuit  mainly  of  political  or  personal  ends, 
did  not  care  to  identify  themselves  with  any  benevolent, 
least  of  all  with  any  religious,  movement.  That  there 
were  active  Christian  workers  in  all  these  classes  it  is 
gratifying  to  testify,  and  they  increased  alike  in  numbers 


AUXILIARIES. WASHINGTON.  299 

and  activity  as  the  society  of  the  Capital  became  purged 
of  disloyalty.  And  then  Washington,  more  than  any 
other  city,  was  regarded  as  common  ground  by  the  mul- 
titudinous solicitors  of  public  favor  and  patronage.  All 
the  national  interests  being  represented  there,  and  its 
inhabitants  being  so  largely  made  up  of  persons  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  the  various  sectional  appeals  for  aid 
found  opportunity  for  their  advocacy.  But  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  had  warm  and  earnest  friends  among 
the  pastors  and  members  of  the  several  churches ;  not  a 
few  of  the  ladies  proved  themselves  efficient  helpers ; 
and  substantial  evidences  of  interest  were  received  from 
Government  officials  of  all  ranks  and  departments  of  the 
public  service,  and  from  many  private  citizens.  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  more  than  once  contributed  to  its  funds. 
During  the  progress  of  its  work  the  Commission  received 
from  Washington  the  sum  of  $25,039.62,  and  other  dona- 
tions to  the  value  of  $26,620 —being  a  total  of  $51,659.62. 

Washington  was  the  centre  of  a  vast  field  for  the 
operations  of  the  Commission.  It  was  always  the  near 
or  remote  base  for  the  armies  acting  against  Richmond, 
and  was  itself  occupied  or  surrounded  by  numerous  forti- 
fications, camps,  military  prisons,  hospitals,  rests,  etc. 
Alexandria,  seven  miles  below  Washington,  and  con- 
nected with  it  by  a  thickset  line  of  forts  and  camps,  was 
regarded  as  a  suburb  of  the  Capital,  and  duplicated  its 
need  of  labor.  In  all  these  places  where  the  soldiers 
were  gathered,  sick  or  well,  the  Delegates  of  the  Com- 
mission were  daily  visitors,  with  their  benevolent  and 
timely  ministrations  for  both  body  and  soul. 

As  has  been  noticed,  Washington  was,  early  in  the 
war,  divided  into  districts  by  the  Young  Men's 


300 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 


elation,  and  each  district  assigned  to  a  committee,  so 
that  there  should  be  no  lack  of  religious  visitation 
among  the  hospitals  and  camps.  A  missionary,  Rev.  O. 
P.  Pitcher,  was  employed,  the  chief  part  of  whose  salary 
was  afterward  assumed  by  the  Commission,  who  gave 
himself  with  constancy  and  faithfulness  to  labor  for  the 
soldiers,  and  continued  until  after  the  operations  of  the 
Commission  were  closed.  He  went  mainly  among  those 
who  were  destitute  of  chaplains  and  of  religious  advan- 
tages, as  the  teamsters,  quartermasters'  men,  prisoners, 
guards,  detached  squads,  and  those  who  were  detained 
for  a  few  hours  at  the  Soldiers'  Rest.  From  the  frequent 
changes  taking  place  among  these  classes,  the  number  of 
men  reached  was  very  great, — not  less  than  270,000 
passing  through  the  Soldiers'  Rest  alone  in  a  single  year. 
As  indicating  the  kind  and  amount  of  labor  performed, 
we  may  take  Mr.  Pitcher's  summary  for  three  years :  — 


Scriptures  distributed 28,177 

Religious  papers 155,898 

Books  and  pamphlets 11,855 

of  Tracts 1,773,261 


Religious  services  held 1,498 

Converts  and  inquirers 587 

Visits,  exclusive  of  meetings 1,181 

Miles  traveled  in  the  work 5,240 


These  figures  imperfectly  suggest  the  labors  of  one 
man,  and  in  the  cities  of  Washington  and  Alexandria, 
with  the  intermediate  and  contiguous  field,  there  were 
from  ten  to  fifty  Delegates  constantly  employed.  It  is 
impossible  to  set  forth  their  work  by  statistics,  for  while 
the  number  and  money  value  of  the  articles  distributed 
may  be  given,  who  can  estimate  the  influence  of  an  earn- 
est religious  meeting,  of  words  of  comfort  spoken  in 
private,  of  a  visit  to  the  cot  of  the  dying,  of  the  letter 
written  to  distant  friends,  of  the  numberless  deeds  of 


AUXILIARIES.  —  WASHINGTON.  301 

thoughtful  kindness,  ending  only  with  the  Christian 
burial?  In  Alexandria  there  were  often  as  many  as 
forty  sermons  preached  on  a  Sabbath  by  the  Delegates, 
and  a  proportionate  amount  of  other  labor. 

The  great  military  camp  near  Arlington  Heights  de- 
serves an  entire  chapter,  but  can  receive  only  a  few  sen- 
tences. .  At  first  it  was  Camp  Convalescent,  where  the 
convalescing  soldiers  were  gathered  from  the  various 
hospitals  to  make  room  for  fresh  cases,  and  wait  until 
their  strength  was  sufficient  for  duty  in  the  field.    After- 
ward it  was  Camp  Distribution,  the  general  rendezvous 
and  camp  of  instruction  for  soldiers  in  transitu.     The 
men  were  continually  changing,  and  the  numbers  varied 
from  one  thousand  to  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand.     It  is 
estimated  that  during  the  years  1863  and  1864  there 
were  more  than  200,000  soldiers  in  this  one  camp.    The 
Commission's  work  began  with  the  beginning  of  the 
camp,  and  continued  until  it  was  broken  up.     The  small 
tents  at  first  used  as  a  chapel  gave  place  to  a  wooden 
structure, — erected  by  the  soldiers  from  lumber  furnished 
by  the  Commission, — and  this  was  successively  enlarged 
until  it  would  hold  more  than  a  thousand  men.     Even 
then  it  was  often  found  too  small  to  accommodate  all 
who  came  to  the  religious  meetings,  and  the  numbers 
standing  outside,  about  the  openings,  were  sometimes 
equal  to  those  within.     It  was  the  scene  of  a  continuous 
revival.     While  visitation  by  the  Delegates  was  constant 
in  the  barracks,  at  the  hospital,  and  at  the  neighboring 
forts,  meetings  were  held  daily,  two  or  three  times  a  day, 
at  the  chapel.     Stated  evenings  in  each  week  were  de- 
voted to  meetings  for  temperance,  literary  exercises,  etc. 
During  the  year  1864,  in  the  camp  and  at  the  six  nearest 


302  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

forts,  "  more  than  700  sermons  were  preached,  with  the 
accompanying  exercises  of  prayer  and  praise,  and  more 
than  900  prayer-meetings  were  held,  in  which  the  sol- 
diers took  an  active  and  most  acceptable  part."  Of  the 
same  year  it  is  said,  "  Many  thousands  were'  awakened 
to  feel  their  need  of  a  Saviour,  and  to  ask  for  the  prayers 
of  Christians ;  and  we  believe  that  thousands  have  been 
born  of  the  Spirit,  and  brought  into  the  kingdom  of 
God's  dear  Son.  Evening  after  evening,  twenty,  thirty, 
forty,  fifty,  and  sometimes  a  hundred,  have  risen  at  a 
time,  to  be  specially  remembered  in  prayer."  On  one 
occasion  at  least  the  number  was  two  hundred.  A 
"Christian  Brotherhood"  was  established,  in  which  many 
were  enrolled  who  had  already  made  public  profession 
of  their  Christian  faith,  and  to  which  many  more  were 
united  by  baptism.  The  Lord's  Supper  was  administered 
on  the  first  Sunday  in  each  month.1 

There  were  other  points  within  this  district  scarcely 
inferior  in  the  interest  and  results  of  their  religious 
labors  to  the  camp  just  mentioned,  but  what  has  been 
given  must  stand  as  representative  of  all. 
.  The  gathering  of  the  great  army  at  Washington,  in 
the  summer  of  1865,  for  their  final  "muster-out," — 
General  Sherman's  troops  having  joined  the  forces  of 
the  East, — furnished  a  fitting  close  to  the  work  of  the 
Commission  among  them.  Large  supplies  of  under- 
clothing and  of  anti-scorbutics  were  distributed  to  Gen- 

1  The  Christian  Commission,  by  official  action,  disclaimed  all  exercise  of 
ecclesiastical  functions,  avowing  that  its  Delegates  and  Agents,  as  such,  had  no 
more  authority  for  administering  the  ordinances  of  the  church  than  for  the 
ordaining  of  a  clergyman.  Much,  however,  was  necessarily  left  to  the  discre- 
tion of  the  Delegates  themselves,  and  as  matter  of  fact  the  ordinances  were 
frequently  administered  by  ministers  of  various  denominations. 


AUXILIARIES. WASHINGTON.  303 

era!  Sherman's  men, — "potatoes  and  onions  by  the 
thousand  bushels,  and  hundreds  of  barrels  of  cucumber 
pickles," — they  being  in  peculiar  need  after  their  long 
march  across  the  country.  And  throughout  the  army, 
in  their  encampments  near  the  city,  the  Delegates  pitched 
their  tents  again, — "holding  preaching  services  and 
prayerrineetings,  visiting  systematically  through  the 
regiments,  brigades,  and  divisions,  talking  with  the  men, 
and  supplying  them  with  religious  reading,  and  such 
hospital  stores  as  were  needed." 

The  active  work  of  the  Commission  in  this  district 
closed  with  the  month  of  August,  1865,  except  that  the 
office  in  Washington  was  kept  open  a  little  longer.  The 
hospitals  were  emptied  and  the  regiments  dispersed, — 
and  the  Commission,  closing  in  behind  the  returning 
columns,  saw  them  safely  home. 

The  Commission  was  served  by  able  and  faithful  men. 
Those  who  were  in  more  responsible  charge  of  the 
work,— F.  E.  Shearer,  H.  P.  Sanford,  Rev.  S.  L.  Bowler, 
Rev.  J.  J.  Abbott,  at  Washington ;  Rev.  C.  P.  Lyford, 
Rev.  Edward  Hawes,  Rev.  J.  P.  Fisher,  at  Camp  Con- 
valescent; Rev.  O.  C.  Thompson,  at  Alexandria;  Rev. 
O.  P.  Pitcher,  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Kingsley,  as  missionaries,— 
should  be  especially  named.  Mr.  William  Ballantyne, 
who  generously  gave  of  his  time  and  means  to  the  Com- 
mission, had  the  oversight  of  the  entire  work,  and  in 
good  part  superintended  its  business  interests,  not  only 
in  the  district,  but  in  the  armies  operating  against  Rich- 
mond. How  great  these  interests  were,  the  tables  of 
receipts  and  disbursements1  will  partially  indicate. 

1  The  reference  here  and  throughout  this  chapter,  to  "statistical  tables,"  ii 
to  those  which  arc  given  in  the  closing  chapter  of  the  book. 


304  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

Philadelphia  was  interested  in  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion from  its  organization,  and  was  one  of  its  most  con- 
stant and  most  generous  contributors.  An  Army  Com- 
mittee of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was 
organized,  as  has  been  stated  elsewhere,  July  4,  1861. 
Its  membership  was  somewhat  changed  from  year  to 
year,  but  for  the  greater  portion  of  the  war  H.  N. 
Thissell  was  Chairman,  and  Thomas  Tolman,  Secretary. 
Upon  the  formation  of  the  Commission  this  Committee 
at  once  became  co-operative  with  it,  and  by  a  resolution 
passed  February  16,  1863,  became  more  closely  related 
as  an  auxiliary.  This  Committee  established  a  system 
of  Sunday  evening  meetings  in  behalf  of  the  Commis- 
sion, by  which  almost  every  church  in  the  city  and  the 
adjoining  communities  was  reached.  Very  much  was 
thus  done  to  sustain  and  guide  public  opinion,  and  to 
keep  up  the  general  interest  and  enthusiasm  to  the  last. 
The  Committee  also  maintained  a  constant  visitation  of 
the  hospitals  and  camps  in  and  around  the  city, — there 
being  on  their  list,  at  the  height  of  the  war,  twenty-five 
of  the  former  and  six  or  eight  of  the  latter.  By  re- 
quest of  the  Governor  and  the  State  Surgeon-General, 
there  was  kept  at  the  rooms  of  the  Association  a  record 
of  all  the  sick  and  disabled  Pennsylvania  soldiers  in  the 
hospitals  of  the  district.  This  record,  which  finally 
contained  more  than  fifty  thousand  names,  was  of  great 
service  in  answering  with  promptness  and  accuracy  the 
numerous  inquiries  that  came  from  anxious  friends.  A 
generous  donation  of  several  hundred  tons  of  coal,  made 
by  the  coal  operators  of  Schuylkill  county,  to  the  needy 
families  of  absent  or  disabled  Philadelphia  soldiers,  was 


AUXILIARIES.  —  BOSTON.  305 

freely  transported  by  the  Reading  railroad,  received  by 
the  Chairman  of  the  Commission,  and  found  the  last 
link  in  this  chain  of  benevolence  in  its  free  distribution 
to  the  worthy  recipients  by  the  hands  of  the  Army 
Committee.  Mr.  Joseph  Parker  was  the  active  agent 
of  the  Committee  in  all  these  labors  of  Christian  charity, 
and  contributed  materially  to  their  success. 

The  nearness  of  this  Committee  to  the  Central  Office 
of  the  Commission  prevented  it  from  becoming  as  dis- 
tinctly conspicuous  as  it  might  otherwise  have  been. 
The  above  brief  statement,  however,  will  indicate  the 
value  and  extent  of  its  usefulness,  as  an  auxiliary  of  the 
Commission  and  as  an  agent  of  local  relief.  It  should 
be  added,  that  the  first  delegation  sent  to  the  army  by 
the  Commission  was  mainly  a  deputation  from  this 
Committee  and  their  fellow-members  of  the  Association. 

BOSTON. 

December  2,  1861,  the  Boston  Young  Men's  Chris- 
tian Association,  at  a  special  meeting,  received  the 
report  of  their  delegation  to  the  convention  that  formed 
the  Christian  Commission.  Upon  hearing  the  report 
it  was 

Resolved,  That  this  Association  approves  of  the  object  proposed 
by  the  Christian  Commission,  and  will  aid  it  so  far  as  may  seem 
practicable. 

This  resolution  may  not  indicate  much  enthusiasm  at 
the  outset,  and  the  Association  could  not  divine  the 
labors  that  were  to  come  upon  it  during  the  terrible 
years  then  about  to  open,  but  the  pledge  was  fully  re- 
deemed. At  the  same  meeting  an  Army  Committee 


306  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

was  appointed,  consisting  of  Edward  S.  Tobey  (Chair- 
man), Joseph  Story  (Treasurer),  J.  Sullivan  Warren, 
Jacob  Sleeper,  R.  Sturgis,  Jr.,  which  Committee  served 
unchanged  throughout  the  war.  L.  P.  Rowland,  Jr.,  as 
agent  of  the  Committee,  had  charge  of  the  receipt  and 
forwarding  of  stores. 

With  the  exceptions  of  Western  Massachusetts,  Con- 
necticut, and  Rhode  Island,  New  England  found  a 
natural  and  convenient  centre  in  Boston,  and  hence  the 
Committee  in  Boston  acted  for  that  entire  section.  Mr. 
Charles  Demond,  a  member  of  the  Commission,  and  of 
the  central  Executive  Committee,  had  oversight  of  the 
work,  neglecting  his  own  affairs  that  he  might  devote 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  to  the  Commission's  in- 
terests. The  Army  Committee  was  hearty  and  constant 
in  its  co-operation.  As  there  were  few  military  hospitals 
or  camps  in  their  vicinity, — the  policy  of  the  Govern- 
ment being  to  keep  these  at  a  less  distance  from  the  seat 
of  war, — and  as  the  local  needs  of  the  navy  were  at- 
tended to  by  other  members  of  the  Association,1  the 
labors  of  the  Committee  were  chiefly  given  to  the  col- 
lection of  funds  and  supplies  for  the  Central  Office  at 
Philadelphia.  How  well  this  work  was  done  the  sta- 
tistical tables  will  show.  Local  organizations  were 
established  in  the  principal  towns  throughout  New 
England;  through  the  use  of  printed  circulars  and 
newspaper  appeals,  and  the  voluntary  service  of  returned 

1  The  receiving-ship  at  the  Charlestown  navy-yard,  where  many  thousands 
enlisted  into  the  navy  during  the  war,  was  regularly  visited  by  members  of  the 
Association,  under  the  general  direction  of  Mr.  Eowland.  Meetings  were  held 
every  night,  and  distributions  of  reading-matter  and  stores  were  frequently 
made.  The  ship  was  the  scene  of  almost  continuous  religious  revival.  The 
camps  at  Keidville  and  at  Galloupe's  Island  were  similarly  remembered. 


AUXILIARIES. BOSTON.  307 

Delegates,  in  holding  meetings  and  making  visitations 
almost  every  community  was  reached;  in  many  churches 
the  fourth  Sunday  evening  of  each  month  was  observed 
as  a  concert  of  prayer  for  the  army;  and  the  supply  of 
resources  was  continuous  and  large.  In  the  number  of 
Delegates  commissioned  (799)  and  the  amount  of  money 
contributed  ($330,197.86)  during  the  full  period  of  the 
Commission's  operations,  Boston  was  in  advance  of  any 
other  Branch;  in  stores  and  publications  donated  (4,032 
packages  at  an  estimated  value  of  $494,200)  she  was 
just  behind  Pittsburg  and  Cincinnati.  The  Boston 
Committee  also  issued  an  admirable  army  hymn  book, 
with  tunes,  which  was  much  sought  after  and  widely 
circulated. 

On  three  occasions, — after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg 
in  1863,  after  the  battles  of  the  Wilderness  in  1864,  and 
after  the  fall  of  Kichmond  in  1865, — Mr.  Demond,  Mr. 
Tobey,  and  other  members  of  the  Army  Committee, 
waited  in  the  Merchants'  Exchange  to  receive  the  offer- 
ings of  Ihe  people  for  their  suffering  defenders.  No 
one  was  solicited  for  a  contribution ;  by  the  courtesy  of 
the  Superintendent  of  the  Exchange,  these  men  posted 
their  telegrams  from  the  Central  Office  and  the  battle- 
fields upon  the  bulletin  board,  kept  their  station  at  a 
convenient  table,  and  received  what  was  freely  handed 
them.  The  receipts  were,  respectively,  $35,000,  $60,000, 
$30,000.*  And  in  addition,  the  general  interest  in  the 
work  of  the  Commission  was  thus  increased,  and  con- 
tributions from  other  sources  were  multiplied.  Few 
scenes  are  more  worthy  of  commemoration  than  this  of 
converting  the  busy  place  and  season  of  trade  into  occa- 

1  See  p.  253. 


308  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

sions  of  patriotic  benevolence,  and  nothing  furnishes  a 
better  index  of  the  true  and  permanent  feeling  of  Boston 
and  New  England  toward  the  men  who  were  fighting  to 
perpetuate  and  extend  the  blessings  of  liberty.  New 
England  did  not  forget  either  her  honor  or  her  respon- 
sibility in  the  hour  of  trial,  and  these  proofs  that  she 
did  not  forget  are  her  memorial  before  the  world. 

CHICAGO. 

How  promptly  the  Chicago  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  engaged  in  patriotic  and  religious  labors,  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  war,  has  been  previously  noticed. 
They  were  active  in  promoting  enlistments,  and  recruited 
four  companies  for  the  Seventy-second  Illinois  regiment, 
under  the  requisition  of  July,  1861, — having  also  had 
a  number  of  representatives  among  the  75,000  volun- 
teers first  called  out.  In  their  disbursements  the  Army 
Committee  of  this  Association  includes  $758,  especially 
given  for  "recruiting  soldiers."  The  Army  Committee, 
of  which  John  V.  Farwell  was  Chairman,  and  B.  F. 
Jacobs,  Secretary,  during  the  war,  was  appointed  in  the 
early  summer  of  1861.  Previously  to  this  the  "Com- 
mittee on  Devotional  Meetings," — Messrs.  D.  L.  Moody 
and  B.  F.  Jacobs, — began  religious  meetings  in  Camp 
Douglas,  and  had  published  a  soldiers'  hymn  book  to 
facilitate  their  work.  These  meetings  rapidly  increased 
in  number  and  interest,  "until  as  many  as  eight  or  ten 
were  held  each  evening,  and  hundreds  were  led  to  seek 
Christ."  Camp  Douglas  was  a  permanent  camp,  having 
in  connection  with  it  one  of  the  principal  military 
prisons.  A  chapel  was  erected  by  the  Christian  Com- 
mission, a  reading-room  maintained,  and  later  in  the 


AUXILIARIES.  —  CHICAGO.  309 

war  a  diet  kitchen  was  established.  An  encouraging 
and  fruitful  religious  interest  was  almost  continuously 
prevalent.  The  clergymen  and  laymen  of  the  city 
readily  responded  to  a  call  for  co-operation.  Their  first 
army  Delegate,  Mr.  Moody,  was  sent  out  by  the  Com- 
mittee in  October,  1861,  to  visit  their  former  associates, 
who  were  then  on  duty  in  Kentucky.  In  such  service, 
therefore,  Chicago  was  probably  second  only  to  New 
York.  The  Chicago  Association  joined  in  the  Conven- 
tion that  formed  the  Christian  Commission,  and  became 
at  once  auxiliary  to  it  through  the  Army  Committee 
already  organized,  which  afterward  took  the  name  of 
The  Northwestern  Branch.  Their  Chairman  was  made 
a  constituent  member  of  the  Commission.  Their  first 
year's  report  shows  them  first  among  similar  Committees, 
as  to  money  expended  and  meetings  held  among  the 
soldiers. 

The  home  field  of  the  Branch  was  limited  by  the 
organization  of  other  auxiliaries  within  territory  that 
would  otherwise  have  found  its  centre  at  Chicago. 
Peoria  and  St.  Louis  both  operated  in  Illinois,  and  the 
districts  of  Indianapolis  and  Milwaukee  left  but  a  narrow 
strip  between  them.  All  therefore  that  remained  to 
Chicago  was  a  small  fraction  of  her  own  State  (about 
three-twelfths)  and  the  northern  half  of  Iowa.  This 
doubtless  secured  the  better  cultivation  of  the  whole 
field,  but  it  diminished  the  financial  exhibit  of  Chicago. 
There  were  also  for  a  while  influences  at  work, — in  part 
her  misapprehension  of  the  necessity  that  the  Commis- 
sion should  have  entire  control  of  its  own  stores,  and  in 
part  her  readiness  to  co-operate  practically  with  other 
societies,  and  yield  to  their  measures  and  plans, — that 


310  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

kept  the  receipts  of  the  Chicago  Branch,  especially  in 
stores,  much  lower  than  they  should  have  been.  But 
these  influences  were  largely  overcome,  as  her  closing 
returns  will  show, — remembering  that  her  home  field 
was  then  at  the  smallest. 

This  Branch  was  among  the  first  to  appreciate  the 
importance  of  Cairo  as  a  point  for  Christian  labor,  being- 
there  able  to  reach  the  thousands  of  troops  continually 
moving  to  or  from  the  Southwestern  armies.  A  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1864,  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,000,  upon 
ground  whose  use  was  generously  given  by  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad,  and  all  departments  of  the  Commis- 
sion's labors  were  vigorously  carried  forward.  The 
supervision  of  this  work  afterward  passed  into  the  hands 
of  the  Committee  at  Peoria,  and  was  finally,  November 
1, 1865,  transferred  to  the  Committee  at  St.  Louis.  Chi- 
cago united  with  other  Western  auxiliaries,  as  has  been 
noticed,  in  caring  for  the  troops  along  the  line  of  the 
Mississippi  river, — not  a  few  of  their  men,  however,  per- 
forming service  in  other  parts  of  the  army.  After  the 
surrender  of  the  rebel  armies  and  the  disbanding  of  our 
own,  in  the  early  summer  of  1865,  while  the  Commission 
was  closing  up  its  work,  Chicago  was  enabled  to  give 
assistance  at  several  points  which,  by  the  continued  pres- 
ence of  troops  or  new  necessity  for  them,  could  not  be  at 
once  abandoned.  Nashville  was  thus  aided,  through  the 
agency  of  General  Fisk,  and  St.  Louis  was  helped  in 
caring  for  the  troops  in  Texas  and  on  the  Plains.  Timely 
pecuniary  means  for  these  supplementary  labors  were 
received  through  the  courtesy  of  the  managers  of  the 
"  Soldiers'  Home  and  Sanitary  Fair,"  who  generously 
shared  their  receipts  with  the  Chicago  Committee  of  the 


AUXILIARIES. — ST.    LOUIS.  311 

Christian  Commission.  Work  in  Texas  was  continued 
until  the  spring  of  1866,  and  it  is  a  pleasant  and  strik- 
ing coincidence  that  the  last  two  Chicago  Delegates  to 
return  from  the  field  were  the  first  minister  of  the  gospel 
ever  located  in  that  city,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Porter,  and  his 
venerable  wife. 

The. Chicago  Committee  did  much  for  the  comfort  of 
soldiers  on  their  way  to  their  homes  in  the  Northwest, 
and  for  those  who  congregated  in  the  city  to  seek  employ- 
ment. In  conjunction  with  the  Sanitary  Commission  a 
Bureau  of  Employment  was  organized,  to  which  the 
Army  Committee  contributed,  in  all,  $3,000,  and  through 
which  more  than  1,400  men  were  furnished  with  situa- 
tions, "at  an  expense  to  the  Bureau  of  less  than  one 
dollar  each." 

ST.  LOUIS. 

An  Army  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  St.  Louis 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  December  10,  1861, 
with  E.  D.  Jones  as  chairman.  The  work  undertaken 
was  mainly  local,  for  which  there  was  great  demand.1 
St.  Louis  was  within  the  seat  of  war  at  the  West,  and 
was  the  headquarters  of  large  numbers  of  troops.  Pre- 
viously to  the  organization  of  this  Committee,  Mr. 
Mclntyre  and  others  had  labored  systematically  and 
efficiently,  as  elsewhere  related,  among  the  soldiers,  so 
that  the  first  soldiers  to  cross  the  Mississippi  were  wel- 

1  The  duties  of  this  Committee,  as  designated  in  the  resolution  appointing  it, 
were  "to  visit  soldiers  in  camps  and  hospitals,  hold  religious  meetings  among 
them,  and  distribute  such  reading-matter  as  can  be  procured  for  the  purpose." 
Weekly  prayer-meetings  were  at  once  commenced  in  Benton,  Schofield,  and 
Alexander  Barracks;  and  in  Fifth  Street,  Lawson,  Good  Samaritan,  and  Marine 
Hospitals.  The  Committee  were  assisted  in  the  distribution  of  reading-matter 
by  many  ladies  of  the  city. 


312  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

corned  by  Christian  friends,  and  with  supplies,  more  or 
less  abundant,  of  religious  reading.  These  independent 
labors  were  continued  until  September,  1862,  when  the 
Committee  was  re-organized,  taking  the  title  of  Western 
Army  Committee,  and  Mr.  Mclntyre  became  identified 
with  it.  Until  the  business  enlarged  beyond  the  capa- 
city of  his  store  to  accommodate  it,  Mr.  Mclntyre  acted 
as  Depositary,  and  freely  furnished  room  for  its  publi- 
cations and  sanitary  supplies.  A  year  later,  September 
28,  1863,  the  name  of  the  Committee  was  still  further 
changed  to  the  St.  Louis  Branch  of  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission.  January  4,  1864,  Mr.  Jones 
having  resigned,  Mr.  Isaac  S.  Smyth,  who  had  been  a 
member  of  the  Committee  from  the  beginning,  was  chosen 
chairman.  At  the  close  of  that  year,  December  30,  he 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Mclntyre.  During  the  most  im- 
portant portion  of  the  history  of  this  Branch,  that  is, 
from  January,  1864,  Edwin  Ticknor  was  Treasurer,  and 
J.  H.  Parsons,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

As  above  stated,  St.  Louis  was  the  centre  of  a  large 
and  necessitous  army  field.  The  numerous  camps  and 
hospitals  in  and  around  the  city,  and  throughout  the 
State,  furnished  large  demands  for  reading-matter.  A 
general  and  judicious  distribution  was  made  through 
systematic  correspondence  with  the  chaplains  and  others, 
and  occasional  visitations  by  Delegates.  The  early  policy 
of  the  Committee  does  not  seem  to  have  favored  much 
attention  to  sanitary  supplies,  for  which  the  Western 
Sanitary  Commission,  the  Ladies'  Union  Aid  Society, 
and  State  organizations,  made  more  exclusive  provision. 
And  it  is  pleasant  to  record  the  spirit  of  fraternal  and 
courteous  co-operation  which  was  continually  manifest 


AUXILIARIES. ST.    LOUIS.  313 

among  these  societies  of  kindred  aims.  More  than  once 
or  twice  the  Western  Sanitary  Commission  showed  its 
substantial  good-will  toward  the  Christian  Commission, 
as  when,  for  example,  upon  an  appeal  for  books,  in  1864, 
they  turned  over  to  the  St.  Louis  Branch  thirty  camp 
libraries;  and  again,  in  1865,  they  placed  at  the  disposal 
of  the  same  Branch  many  thousand  dollars'  worth  of 
stores.  Similar  illustrations  might  be  given  of  the  action 
of  several  of  the  Western  State  Sanitary  Commissions. 
But  the  experience  of  the  Christian  Commission  was 
confirmed  by  that  of  its  several  Branches,  that  sanitary 
supplies,  in  its  own  possession  and  under  its  own  control, 
were  essential  to  the  successful  performance  of  its  more 
spiritual  work.  In  ministering  to  soldiers  the  cases 
were  numerous  where  the  only  thing  a  Christian  would 
dare  to  do  was  to  feed  the  sufferer  or  bind  up  his  wounds, 
and  not  to  have  then  at  command  a  bandage  or  a  piece 
of  bread  was  not  only  to  be  guilty  of  failure  in  meeting 
an  emergency,  but  it  was  to  compromise  the  influence 
and  usefulness  of  himself  and  his  society.  The  religious 
tract,  or  the  word  of  admonition  and  encouragement, 
given  to  a  victim  of  the  battle-field,  after  his  body  had 
been  carefully  washed,  and  fed,  and  dressed,  and  laid 
upon  a  clean  pillow,  was  like  the  exhortation  of  Christ 
to  the  wretched  man  whom  he  had  healed.1  So  the  mis- 

i  The  first  Annual  Report  of  the  Commission  gives  an  illustration  in  point: 
"  Mr.  J.  describes  the  garret  of  the  old  Harrison  manison,  at  Harrison's  Land- 
ing, with  its  eighty-five  men  stowed  away  under  the  scorching  roof.  He  says, 
their  boots  were  so  hardened  by  the  intense  heat  that  they  had  to  cut  them  off 
with  a  knife,  in  order  to  bathe  their  feet.  The  attendants  refused  to  work  there. 
The  Delegates  undertook  to  do  what  they  could.  They  prepared  bucket*  of 
cool,  nice  lemonade,  and  took  them  up  on  the  stairs  leading  to  the  garret;- 
the  stairs,  were  so  narrow  that  only  one  could  ascend  at  a  time.  Leaving  the 
40 


314  ANNALS    OF   THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

take  early  and  readily  corrected  itself,  and  at  St. 
Louis,  as  elsewhere,  the  practice  became  established  of 
gathering  and  distributing  hospital  and  other  sanitary 
stores, — constantly  purchasing  them  in  large  quanti- 
ties, besides  using  all  that  were  donated, — as  an  essen- 
tial though  secondary  characteristic  of  the  Commission's 
work. 

In  1863  the  St.  Louis  Branch  was  made  the  general 
distributing  agency  for  all  the  troops  along  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  as  far  South  as  to  the  northern  boundary 
of  Louisiana, — that  is,  for  the  armies  operating  West  of 
the  departments  of  the  Ohio  and  the  Cumberland.  The 
limits  thus  indicated  were  observed  after  the  military 
departments  were  changed  and  consolidated.  The  aux- 
iliaries at  Chicago,  Peoria,  Detroit,  and  Milwaukee  united 
with  St.  Louis  in  supplying  this  Mississippi  field.  The 
principal  centres  of  operations  within  the  army  were  at 
Memphis,  Vicksburg,  and  Little  Rock,  with  stations  at 
other  points,  while  Cairo,  and  the  various  posts  nearer 
home  and  in  the  Northwest,  were  not  forgotten.  At  the 
chief  offices  named,  during  the  greater  part  of  their  occu- 
pation, Messrs.  K.  A.  Burnell,  Rev.  F.  G.  Ensign,  and  C. 
C.  Thayer  were  in  charge.  Other  agents  and  perma- 
nent delegates  rendered  efficient  service.  Rev.  Shepard 
Wells  was  both  a  Collecting  and  a  Field  Agent,  looking 

lemonade  out  of  sight,  on  the  stairs,  Rev.  Mr.  S.  proposed  a  short  religious 
service,  read  some  of  the  comforting  words  of  Jesus,  from  the  Gospel  of  John, 
and  talked  very  tenderly  of  home,  of  heaven,  and  of  the  Saviour.  Good  was 
done,  no  doubt ;  but  not  so  much  as  if  the  lemonade  had  come  first.  After  the 
service  they  passed  around  their  buckets  and  cups  ;  and  more  than  one  said  to 
Mr.  J.,  '  Ah !  doctor,  doctor,  this  is  better  than  talk ; '  and  to  Mr.  S.  others 
said,  'Pardon  me,  sir;  your  talk  was  excellent,  but  this  cooling  drink  is  .the 
best  now.'  " — First  Annual  Report,  p.  19. 


AUXILIARIES. ST.    LOUIS.  315 

after  the  welfare  of  the  troops  in  Missouri,  Kansas,  etc., 
and  raising  money  and  supplies  throughout  the  home 
field. 

A  prominent  and  somewhat  peculiar  feature  of  the 
operations  of  the  St.  Louis  Branch  was  the  employment 
of  lady  Delegates  or  missionaries.1  They  were  engaged 
as  attendants  in  the  reading-rooms  and  visitors  in  the 
hospitals,  doing  whatever  their  quick  sympathy  and 
ready  hands  found  to  do  for  the  bodily  and  spiritual 
comfort  of  the  men.  These  ladies  were  stationed  in  St. 
Louis,  at  Jefferson  Barracks  (twelve  miles  below  St. 
Louis),  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  at  the  rooms  in  Mem- 
phis, Vicksburg,  and  Little  Rock.  Some  of  them  re- 
mained in  the  work  from  one  to  three  years,  and  all  of 
them  performed  services  of  great  value.  They  were  able, 
by  their  womanly  affection,  delicacy,  and  facility,  to  ex- 
ert an  influence  over  the  soldiers,  for  restraint  and  en- 
couragement, that  was  a  most  precious  assistance  alike  to 
the  surgeon  and  the  religious  teacher.  One  of  these  lady 
missionaries,  in  her  report  from  Jefferson  Barracks  for 
1863,  says,  "  Not  a  week  has  passed  but  that  some  have 
been  hopefully  converted."  Mr.  Ensign  says,  "  I  speak 
within  bounds  when  I  say  that  hundreds  were  led  to 

1  Ladies  were  similarly  employed  by  other  Committees,  as,  for  example,  at 
Chicago,  but  in  no  other  field  was  this  so  prominent  a  characteristic  as  in  the 
St.  Louis  district. 

Subjoined  is  a  full  list  of  the  lady  Delegates  employed  by  the  St.  Louis 
Branch,  as  furnished  by  Mr.  Mclntyre :  — 

Miss  Sue  McBeth,  Miss  M.  E.  Burnell,  Miss  E.  L.  Ingalla, 

Miss  Nellie  L.  Barnard,  Miss  E.  Hardenbrook,          Mis*  A.  M.  Turner, 

Miss  Annie  M.  Johnson,  Miss  N.  H.  Howe,  Miss  II.  E.  Levinga, 

Miss  H.  M.  Bissell,  Miss  S.  A.  Sprague,  Mrs.  D.  O.  Searlea, 

Miss  Laura  M.  Pinney,  Mrs.  Belle  Tannahill,  Mm.  D.  E.  Orange, 

Miss  Josephine  Kiinball,          Miss  Mary  Porter,  Mrs.  Plumb. 


316  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Jesus  by  these  ladies."  Many  testimonials  might  be 
given  of  the  fruitfulness  of  their  labors  and  of  the  grati- 
tude of  those  to  whom  they  ministered,  as  well  as  of  the 
effect  in  deepening  and  strengthening  their  own  religious 
character. 

The  fact  that  St.  Louis  was  within  the  arena  of  con- 
flict,— the  State  being  at  times  occupied  by  from  20,000 
to  50,000  troops, — while  adding  to  its  expenditures  and 
labors,  diminished  its  local  resources.  But  liberal  things 
were  devised  and  done  for  the  Commission  in  St.  Louis 
and  elsewhere  in  the  State,  while  other  portions  of  the 
home  field,  especially  Southern  Iowa,  responded  with 
noble  generosity. 

When,  in  the  summer  of  1865,  large  bodies  of  troops 
were  moved  into  Texas  and  upon  the  Plains  of  the 
Northwest,  the  St.  Louis  Branch  assumed  the  task  of 
carrying  forward  the  work  of  the  Commission  among 
them.  It  wras  estimated,  in  August,  that  there  were 
60,000  men  in  Texas,  20,000  upon  the  Plains,  and  not 
far  from  20,000  at  other  points  in  the  St.  Louis  district. 
In  many  respects  the  value  and  fruitfulness  of  these 
closing  labors,  religious  and  sanitary,  were  not  surpassed 
by  any  performed  during  the  history  of  the  Commission. 
Certainly  none  were  more  opportune.  The  war  was 
substantially  at  an  end.  The  national  interest  which 
centred  in  the  army,  and  which  reflected  every  change 
in  the  fortunes  of  the  conflict,  culminated  with  the  sur- 
render of  Lee's  and  Johnston's  forces.  Enthusiasm  in 
that  direction  had  well-nigh  exhausted  itself,  and  there 
was  danger  that  the  soldiers  who  were  now  sent  South 
and  West  would  be  forgotten.  It  was  less  easy  to 
awaken  public  attention  and  raise  funds  necessary  for 


AUXILIARIES. ST.    LOUIS.  317 

continued  service.  The  benevolent  associations1  that 
had  followed  the  army  were  preparing  to  retire,  and  the 
soldiers  were  almost  moved  to  complain  that  the  friends 
at  home  became  sooner  wearied  of  the  service  of  charity 
than  did  they  of  the  sacrifices  of  the  camp  and  battle- 
field. So  that  what  had  been  done  was  in  danger  of 
losing  its  just  renown,  through  neglect  of  what  there 
was  yet  to  do.  But  money  had  come  freely  into 
the  various  treasuries  of  the  Commission,  during  the 
rapid  military  successes  of  the  spring,  in  anticipa- 
tion of  necessities  that  were  largely  avoided  by  the  sur- 
render of  the  rebel  armies  without  severe  fighting. 
These  means  were  now  in  part  available  for  the  new 
emergency. 

St.  Louis  was  assisted  from  the  Central  Office,  as  also 
by  the  auxiliaries  at  Boston,  Chicago,  and  other  points. 
Mr.  John  A.  Cole,  being  no  longer  needed  as  General 
Field  Agent  in  the  Eastern  armies,  was  induced  to  take 
charge  of  operations  in  Texas,  and  Kev.  W.  J.  Gladwin 
occupied  a  similar  position  in  the  Northwest,  with  head- 
quarters at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas.  The  work  was 
mainly  done  by  permanent  paid  Delegates,  although  the 
work  itself  was  only  a  repetition  of  what  had  been  so 
often  performed.  The  Overland  Express  Company,  as 
well  as  the  various  railroad,  steamboat,  express,  and  tele- 
graph companies,  whose  lines  centred  in  St.  Louis, 
granted  the  use  of  their  great  facilities  to  the  Commis- 
sion. The  agency  in  Texas  was  withdrawn  in  April, 
1866;  the  station  at  Little  Hock,  the  last  in  the  Miaris- 
sippi  field,  closed  early  in  June;  and  the  station  at  Fort 

1  No  national  society,  except  the  Christian  Commission,  had  workers  among 
the  troops  sent  to  Texas  and  the  Western  Plains. 


318  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Leavenworth,  the  final  scene  of  the  Commission's  active 
labors,  was  closed  June  21. 

The  Committee  in  St.  Louis,  after  active  field  labors 
ceased,  were  engaged  in  placing  their  remaining  libra- 
ries among  the  forts  in  the  Western  territories,  and  did 
not  close  their  office  until  August  1,  1866.  Even  then 
they  did  not  disband,  but  continued  their  organization, 
for  the  purpose  of  disbursing  their  unexpended  funds  in 
accordance  with  the  original  trust. 

BALTIMOKE. 

The  Baltimore  Christian  Association,  as  has  been 
stated,  was  organized  for  work  among  the  camps  and 
hospitals  of  the  city,  in  May,  1861.  In  the  course  of 
the  following  year  it  was  brought  into  correspondence 
with  the  Christian  Commission,  from  which  it  also  re- 
ceived some  contributions  of  stores.  This  led  the  Com- 
mission to  appoint  an  auxiliary  Committee  in  Baltimore, 
early  in  September,  1862,  consisting  of  G.  S.  Griffith, 
President  of  the  above  Association,  Rev.  J.  N.  McJilton, 
D.D.,  and  Rev.  George  P.  Hays.  These  gentlemen 
continued  to  serve  throughout  the  war,  with  Mr.  Grif- 
fith as  Chairman  and  Dr.  McJilton,  Secretary.  In  1864 
Mr.  Hays  was  chosen  Treasurer,  and  Rev.  G.  R.  Bent, 
who  had  for  some  time  been  in  the  service  of  the  Com- 
mission, was  made  General  Agent,  to  have  immediate 
oversight  of  affairs  in  the  office.  In  the  same  year  the 
Committee  was  enlarged,  so  as  to  represent  the  different 
religious  denominations  and  the  different  sections  of  the 
home  field.  Mr.  Griffith,  besides  devoting  most  of  his 
time  to  the  work,  gave  also  the  requisite  accommodations 
for  office  and  warehouse. 


AUXILIARIES. BALTIMORE.  319 

The  district  assigned  to  the  Baltimore  Committee  con- 
sisted of  the  State  of  Maryland,  to  which  was  added,  for 
convenience,  the  county  of  York,  Pennsylvania,  and, 
for  a  while,  a  portion  of  the  State  of  Delaware.  This 
will  be  seen  to  include,  besides  the  important  city  of 
Baltimore,  the  line  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
to  the  Western  boundary  of  Maryland,  the  camps  and 
hospitals  at  Annapolis,  Point  Lookout,  York,  and  other 
points.  It  was  thus  really  more  of  an  army  field  than 
a  home  field,  although  answering  for  both.  The  expen- 
ditures would  of  necessity  exceed  the  receipts.  The 
widespread  and  even  violent  sympathy  with  the  rebel- 
lion, in  the  city  and  State,  with  all  the  indifference  and 
opposition  to  such  an  institution  as  the  Christian  Com- 
mission which  this  sympathy  implies,  made  the  position 
of  the  Baltimore  Committee  alike  delicate  and  difficult. 
But  their  success  in  collecting  money  and  stores  was 
considerable,  as  the  tables  will  show. 

The  numerous  hospitals  in  Baltimore  were  systemati- 
cally visited  and  well-cared  for.  Having,  for  the  most 
part,  faithful  chaplains,  the  ladies  of  the  city  formed 
themselves  into  relief  associations,  one  for  each  hospital, 
and  thus  gave  themselves,  with  the  co-operation  of  the 
gentlemen  of  the  Christian  Association,  to  supply  every 
necessity.  Through  these  several  agencies,  and  under 
their  own  personal  supervision,  the  Committee  of  the 
Christian  Commission  carried  on  their  local  work. 

Few  points  made  memorable  by  the  great  war  surpass 
in  sad  and  tender  interest  Camp  Parole  and  its  neighbor- 
ing hospitals  and  barracks,  at  Annapolis.  Here  came 
the  thousands,  exchanged  or  waiting  to  be  exchanged, 
from  the  terrible  prisons  at  Richmond,  Andersonville, 


320  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  elsewhere.  The  world  has  heard  much  of  the  hor- 
rors endured  in  these  prisons,  but  the  half  is  not  yet 
told.1  It  was  the  privilege  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
mainly  through  the  Baltimore  Agency,  to  assist  in 
bestowing  such  relief  and  comfort  as  were  possible.2 
When  it  couldjbe  done,  Delegates  and  stores  were  placed 
upon  the  transports,  on  their  way  to  the  points  desig- 
nated for  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  so  that  aid  might 
be  given  at  the  earliest  moment.  The  work  done  at 
Annapolis  was  among  the  most  blessed  and  fruitful  of 
any  performed  by  the  Commission.  Not  only  did  kind 
nursing,  with  such  supplies  of  food  and  clothing  as  were 
necessary,  contribute  much  to  the  restoration  of  the  men, 
— saving  indeed  many  lives, — but  the  religious  reading 
furnished,  and  the  opportunities  for  hearing  the  gospel 
preached,  and  joining  in  meetings  for  social  worship, 
were  not  less  appreciated  than  the  material  comforts. 
To  many  of  them  there  had  been  added  to  all  their 
other  hardships  a  famine  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  they 
rejoiced  in  the  abundant  feast.  As  at  Camp  Convales- 

1  Take  simply  this  picture,  with  all  that  it  suggests  of  privation  and  suffer- 
ing.    It  is  given  by  a  Delegate  of  the  Commission,  laboring  in  1863  at  Annapo- 
lis.    Perhaps  some  time  an  artist  may  be  found  who  can  put  it  upon  canvas  :  — 
"  S.  Chatfield,  Company  E,  First  Mounted  Rifles,  New  York,  said  he  saw  six 
men,  who  were  wasted  by  hunger  and  chilled  with  cold,  for  one  dollar  procure 
a  small  stick  of  wood,  cut  it  in  pieces  and  make  a  fire  of  it,  and  sit  down  to  get 
a  little  heat.     When  it  had  burned  up,  one  poor  fellow  leaned  over  the  place 
where  the  fire  had  been ;  he  put  his  face  in  his  hands,  and  in  the  morning  was 
found  dead  in  that  position." — Second  Annual  Report,  p.  169. 

2  In  the  Report  of  the  Ladies'  Christian  Commission  of  Buffalo,  more  par- 
ticularly noticed  elsewhere,  is   this  refreshing   item:  "Thirteen  large  boxes 
(weighing  over  a  ton)  of  poultry,  pies,  cake,  pickles,  jellies,  apples,  etc.,  were 
sent  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  for  Thanksgiving  Dinner  (November  24,  1864) 
for  our  returned  prisoners  at  that  place."     The  preceding  Christinas  a  dinner 
was  provided  for  about  1,200  men  there,  by  contributions  from  various  sources. 


AUXILIARIES. BALTI3IORE.  321 

cent  and  other  similar  stations,  so  at  Camp  Parole  there 
were  frequent  seasons  of  protracted  religious  revival.  It 
may  seem  strange,  while  the  fact  itself  produces  a  singu- 
lar feeling  of  relief,  that,  with  all  their  destitution  of  reli- 
gious advantages,  there  had  been  no  little  religious  inte- 
rest among  these  men  during  their  confinement  in  the 
wretched  Southern  prisons.  The  explanation  is  perhaps 
not  difficult.  Dependent  upon  each  other  for  sympathy 
and  encouragement,  save  only  as  an  occasional  message 
from  home  might  reach  them,  or  an  attendant  negro 
might  clandestinely  give  them  a  little  assistance  or  a 
word  of  comfort,  they  were  led  by  their  circumstances 
and  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  look  to  God.  It 
is  attested  by  competent  witnesses  that  hundreds  were 
converted  at  Andersonville,  where  religious  meetings 
were  maintained  by  the  prisoners  with  more  or  less  regu- 
larity. Similar  facts  are  reported  from  other  prisons. 

Point  Lookout,  at  the  junction  of  the  Potomac  with 
Chesapeake  Bay,  was  the  site  of  a  large  prison  camp. 
Several  thousands  of  rebels  were  here  in  confinement, 
requiring  a  large  force  of  Union  soldiers  and  two  or  three 
gunboats  to  guard  them.  The  Commission  did  good  ser- 
vice among  these  various  troops.  The  rebels  were  assisted 
in  making  arrangements  for  stated  and  frequent  religious 
meetings,  and  were  helped  to  supplies  of  reading-matter 
and  sanitary  stores.  Clergymen  and  other  Christian 
professors  of  their  own  number  were  of  course  glad  to 
co-operate.  Numerous  conversions  occurred  among  them, 
as  at  other  prison  encampments.  Some  of  the  Delegates 
thought  the  rebels  even  more  ready  to  yield  to  religious 
influences  than  our  own  men,  and  many  affecting  inci- 
dents took  place  among  them.  The  hospitals,  both  of 

41 


322  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  prisoners  and  the  guard,  contained  their  proportion 
of  sick,  and  required  the  constant  aid  of  the  Commission. 
Point  Lookout  could  not,  from  its  retired  position  and 
its  use  as  a  prison,  attract  the  attention  and  excite  the 
enthusiasm  which  attached  to  other  places,  but  by  those 
who  labored  there  it  was  recognized  as  an  important  and 
inviting  field.  The  readiness  of  the  Commission  to  be- 
stow its  bounty  upon  those  enemies  of  the  country  who 
had  been  taken  prisoners  was  in  general  most  heartily 
appreciated,  and  contributed  something  toward  a  better 
understanding  of  the  real  Christian  feeling  of  the  North. 

Two  incidents  in  the  operations  of  the  Baltimore  Com- 
mittee deserve  special  mention,  as  showing  the  facility 
with  which  the  Commission  met  the  emergencies  of  the 
hour.  After  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  such  of  the  dis- 
abled as  could  at  all  endure  it  were  transported  to  the 
hospitals  at  Baltimore  and  elsewhere.  The  journey  was 
wearisome  and  painful.  At  the  instance  of  Dr.  Cuyler, 
Medical  Director,  the  Commission  established  a  refresh- 
ment station,  in  cars  provided  for  the  purpose,  at  Han- 
over Junction,  thirty  miles  from  Gettysburg  and  on  the 
main  line  of  railway.  Here  all  the  trains  of  wounded 
were  stopped,  and  nourishing  food  and  drink, — as  lem- 
onade, ginger-water,  tea  and  coffee,  soft  bread,  etc.,  with 
stimulants  for  those  that  needed, — were  liberally  dis- 
tributed to  the  suffering  men.  This  labor  of  love  was 
for  weeks  in  the  hands  of  ladies  from  Baltimore,  with 
such  assistance  from  others  as  was  requisite. 

Again,  in  the  summer  of  1864,  the  immense  general 
hospital  at  City  Point,  covering  forty  acres  and  located 
wholly  in  tents,  suffered  greatly  from  dust.  The  nature 
of  the  soil,  the  warm  dry  weather,  the  constant  grinding 


AUXILIARIES. BUFFALO.  323 

of  the  wagons  and  tramping  of  the  horses,  with  the  blow- 
ing of  the  wind,  kept  a  dense  cloud  of  dust  continually 
over  the  camp,  to  the  discomfort  of  all,  and  the  increased 
suffering  of  the  sick.  Kev.  A.  B.  Cross,  of  Baltimore, 
laboring  for  the  Commission,  suggested  that  a  steam  fire- 
engine  would  relieve  the  case.  -General  Grant  approved 
the  suggestion,  and  at  once  despatched  Mr.  Cross  to  Bal- 
timore, to  secure  an  engine  if  possible.  The  Mayor 
readily  assented,  sending  not  only  the  engine  but  men 
to  work  it.  The  neighboring  Appomattox,  by  this  means, 
speedily  laid  the  dust  of  the  camp,  and  furnished  the 
hospital  with  an  abundant  supply  of  water.  The  Govern- 
ment soon  assumed  charge  of  this  agency  of  relief. 

The  Baltimore  Committee,  by  its  Delegates  and  in 
every  other  way,  gave  constant  assistance  to  the  Com- 
mission in  the  prosecution  of  its  general  work,  in  the 
armies  before  Eichmond,  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and 
elsewhere. 

BUFFALO. 

The  Buffalo  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was 
represented  in  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Chris- 
tian Commission,  and  John  D.  Hill,  M.  D.,  of  their  num- 
ber, was  made  a  constituent  member  of  the  Commission. 
Early  in  1862,  the  Association  appointed  an  Army  Com- 
mittee, with  Dr.  Hill  as  chairman,  for  local  work  among 
the  soldiers.  This  Committee  continued  its  labors,  con- 
stantly increasing  in  their  scope  and  influence,  until  the 
spring  of  1864.  On  the  fifth  day  of  April,  of  that  year, 
a  Convention  met  in  Rochester,  composed  of  gentlemen 
from  the  several  communities  interested,  which  m-..m- 
mended  to  the  Central  Office  the  establishment  of  a 


324  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Branch  Commission,  with  headquarters  at  Buffalo,  to 
act  for  Western  New  York  and  Northwestern  Pennsyl- 
vania. This  was  accordingly  done,  the  title  of  the  aux- 
iliary being  The  Branch  United  States  Christian  Com- 
mission for  Western  New  York  and  Vicinity.  Dr.  Hill 
became  Chairman;  Rev.  S.  Hunt,  Secretary;  and  F. 
Gridley,  Treasurer.  Different  parts  of  the  field  were 
represented  in  the  Executive  Committee.  This  aux- 
iliary operated  directly  through  the  Central  Office, 
sending  its  stores  and  Delegates  both  East  and  West, 
as  circumstances  might  determine.  The  tables  will 
indicate,  with  sufficient  clearness,  the  amount  of  work 
done. 

In  May,  1863,  a  Ladies'  Christian  Commission  was 
formed  in  Buffalo,  which  proved  remarkably  efficient. 
Although  entirely  distinct,  as  an  organization,  from  the 
Branch  Commission,  the  two  societies  worked  together 
as  mutual  auxiliaries,  the  ladies  contributing  at  least 
their  full  share  to  the  success  of  the  enterprise.  More 
than  half  the  cash  receipts  reported  by  the  Branch  were 
from  the  ladies.  All  the  stores  received  were  by  them 
repacked  and  prepared  for  shipment.  They  had  one 
hundred  and  thirty-nine  smaller  aid  societies  tributary 
to  them.  To  these  were  sent  large  quantities  of  flannel 
and  other  materials,  which  were  returned  in  the  shape 
of  manufactured  garments  and  other  needful  articles, 
almost  always  accompanied  by  contributions  either  of 
money  or  valuable  stores.  As  there  was  no  expense  for 
labor  in  any  part  of  the  process  of  these  manufactures, 
and  the  express  companies  carried  all  the  packages 
without  charge,  the  whole  presents  a  delightful  example 


AUXILIARIES. BROOKLYN.  325 

of  the  community  of  service  for  the  soldiers  by  a  noble 
band  of  patriotic  and  Christian  women.1 

Rochester  was  within  the  field  assigned  to  the  Buf- 
falo Committee,  and  made  to  it  contributions  of  money 
and  stores.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  war,  however, 
an  independent  Committee  was  organized,  directly 
auxiliary  to  the  Central  Office,  with  Rev.  Dr.  Claxton  as 
Chairman,  and  O.  D.  Grosvenor  as  Secretary  and  Trea- 
surer. The  figures  given  in  our  tables  must  not  be 
regarded  as  a  measure  of  the  benevolence  of  Rochester 
toward  the  soldiers.  Immediately  after  the  opening  of 
the  war  several  vigorous  aid  societies  were  formed, 
mainly  operated  by  the  ladies,  which  selected  such 
channels  for  their  benefactions  as  seemed  best  suited  to 
their  purposes.  Some  of  them,  in  1863,  became  tribu- 
tary to  the  Commission,  and  some  continued  to  act  inde- 
pendently of  any  national  organization.  They  all  did 
good  service. 

BROOKLYN. 

An  Army  and  Navy  Committee,  to  act  in  concert  with 
the  Christian  Commission,  was  appointed  by  the  Brooklyn 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  December  4,  1861. 
They  were  for  several  months  very  efficient  in  local 
work,  and  also  contributed  largely  to  aid  the  troops  at 
the  seat  of  war.  The  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard,  where 
many  of  the  war  vessels  were  put  in  commission,  and 

1  Two  or  three  items  in  the  reports  of  these  ladies  may  be  given,  not  only  as 
showing  the  nature  and  extent  of  their  work,  but  as  indicating  also  what  was 
done  by  similar  societies  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  For  example,  in  the  B 
port  for  1864,  "Over  twelve  thousand  yards  of  flannel  have  been  cut  and  math- 
up,  without  one  penny's  expense  for  labor."  In  the  Report  for  1865,  "  N-.iinU-r 
of  shins  cut  during  the  year,  1,899;  drawers,  1,485;  pairs  of  socks  and  mittens 
knit,  501." 


326  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

many  of  the  marines  enlisted,  furnished  an  inviting 
field.  Frequent  meetings  were  held,  with  distributions 
of  reading-matter  and  other  articles,  among  the  sailors 
thus  made  accessible,  as  also  in  the  camps  and  hospitals 
of  the  vicinity.  Donations  of  stores  and  publications, 
besides  those  contributed  to  the  Central  Office,  were  sent 
to  the  army  through  Mr.  Colyer  and  other  special 
agents,  after  several  of  the  earlier  battles,  both  in  the 
East  and  West.  Their  Annual  Report,  presented  in 
May,  1862,  shows  a  disbursement  already  made  of  money 
and  stores  amounting  to  nearly  $25,000, — by  far  the 
largest  exhibit  of  any  similar  Committee  for  that  year. 
In  the  first  winter  of  the  war,  the  Committee  aided  in 
the  purchase  of  chapel  tents  for  four  New  York  regi- 
ments, mainly  from  collections  made  in  the  city  churches. 
During  1863,  the  contributions  of  Brooklyn  for  the 
army  were  sent  almost  wholly  through  other  channels. 
On  the  21st  of  March,  1864,  was  organized  the  Brooklyn 
and  Long  Island  Christian  Commission,  with  W.  S. 
Griffith,  President;  S.  B.  Caldwell,  Treasurer;  Eev.  J. 
B.  Waterbury,  D.  D.,  Corresponding  Secretary.  This 
society,  while  it  operated  mainly  through  the  Christian 
Commission,  was  yet  independent  in  its  organization. 
It  made  no  efforts  to  raise  sanitary  stores,  believing  that 
its  usefulness  would  be  best  promoted  by  confining  its 
action  to  the  soliciting  of  money,  the  commissioning  of 
Delegates,  and  the  distribution  of  reading-matter.  The 
stores  needed  for  distributionJby  its  Delegates  were  taken 
from  the  general  supplies  of  the  Commission,  or  received 
from  other  societies.  This  fact  will  explain  a  feature 
almost  peculiar  to  the  statistical  exhibit  of  Brooklyn, 
especially  in  the  returns  for  the  later  years, — namely, 


AUXILIARIES.  —  LOUISVILLE.  327 

that  the  ratio  of  the  cash  received  and  expended  and 
the  Delegates  commissioned  is  much  higher  than  that  of 
the  stores  reported.  The  Brooklyn  Commission,  like 
the  Army  Committee  which  preceded  it,  acted  promptly 
and  generously  in  providing  chapel  tents  for  the  army, 
voting  $oOOO  for  this  purpose  at  one  time.  This  secured 
ten  chapels,  for  each  of  which  the  Brooklyn  office  also 
furnished  a  valuable  library. 

The  work  at  the  navy  yard,  on  the  receiving-ships, 
and  in  behalf  of  the  marines,  continued  to  be  one  of 
great  importance  and  valuable  results.  The  following 
incident,  representative  of  many  that  might  be  given, 
illustrates  the  method  of  the  work  in  part,  and  its  fruit. 
The  agent  at  the  navy  yard  in  1864,  writes,  "A  lieu- 
tenant recently  returned  from  one  of  our  iron-clads,  up 
the  James  river,  called  to  see  me,  and  requested  another 
supply  of  reading-matter,  having  read  with  diligence 
and  profit  the  supply  we  gave  them.  He  said,  'I  com- 
menced religious  services  on  board,  it  being  optional  to 
attend  or  not,  and  one  seaman  attended.  Now,'  said  he, 
'over  one  hundred  attend  each  service.  There  is  a  great 
change  among  the  crew.'  " 

LOUISVILLE. 

Louisville,  like  Washington  and  St.  Louis,  was  imme- 
diately affected,  upon  the  outbreak  of  hostilities,  by  its 
position  upon  the  border  and  the  divided  sentiments  of 
its  people.  Its  position  also  soon  determined  its  conve- 
nience as  a  military  depot  for  the  troops  operating  in 
the  departments  of  the  Cumberland  and  the  Ohio. 
Although  the  hindrances  were  great,  there  were  not 
wanting  here,  as  in  other  places  similarly  situated,  those 


328  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

who  appreciated  the  necessity  of  Christian  effort  among 
the  soldiers,  and  who  attempted  to  supply  it.  The 
Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  early  in  1862,  ap- 
pointed an  Army  Committee,  which  engaged  in  the 
various  kinds  of  service  already  so  frequently  alluded 
to  in  connection  with  like  Committees  elsewhere.  The 
ladies,  not  a  few  of  them  among  the  most  prominent 
and  influential  of  the  city,  joined  heartily  in  these 
labors.  Through  the  Army  Committee  and  other  per- 
sons the  Christian  Commission  made  considerable  dis- 
tributions. In  May,  1863,  a  Branch  Commission  was 
formed,  with  J.  Edward  Hardy,  Chairman;  J.  G.  Bar- 
rett,1 Treasurer;  Isaac  Russell,  Secretary; — these  officers 
remaining  unchanged  through  the  war.  Something  was 
done  toward  canvassing  the  city  and  State  for  the  Com- 
mission, and  organizing  local  committees, — with  what 
material  results  the  tables  of  receipts  will  show.  Sup- 
plies for  Nashville  and  beyond  passed  through  Louis- 
ville, and  its  own  needs  made  it  a  point  for  large  distri- 
butions. There  were  not  fewer  than  twenty  hospitals 
in  the  city  and  vicinity,  and  the  sick  and  wounded  at 
times  numbered  over  10,000  men.  Besides  these,  there 
were  several  extensive  camps  and  barracks.  Special 
diet  kitchens,  more  fully  noticed  in  another  place,  were 
established  in  a  majority  of  the  hospitals  here,  and  were 
conducted  with  efficiency  and  the  most  beneficial  results. 
The  interest  of  the  citizens  in  the  Commission's  work 
was  pleasantly  and  generously  shown,  in  addition  to  their 
general  hearty  co-operation,  by  their  aid  in  providing, 

1  The  first  Treasurer  was  Thomas  Quigley,  Esq., —  a  well-known  and  highly 
esteemed  citizen  of  Louisville.  Upon  his  death,  January  2,  1804,  Mr.  Barrett 
was  appointed. 


AUXILIARIES. LOUISVILLE. 


329 


on  more  than  one  occasion,  a  Christmas  dinner  for  the 
inmates  of  the  hospitals.  The  relations  of  the  Commis- 
sion to  citizens,  military  authorities,  and  transportation 
companies,  were  nowhere  more  satisfactory  than  in  Louis- 
ville. 

As  incidental  to  their  other  labors,  and  by  request  of 
General-  Sherman,  this  Branch  assisted  in  relieving  the 
wants  of  the  many  refugees  and  deserters  from  the  rebel 
army  that  gathered  here.  They  were  helped  to  employ- 
ment, gathered  into  Sunday-schools,  taught  to  read,  and 
they  had  opportunities  of  hearing  the  gospel  preached. 

In  June,  1865,  General  Sherman's  army  rendezvoused 
near  the  city,  to  be  mustered  out  of  service,  which  occu- 
pied over  two  months.  This  gave  opportunity  for  an 
important  work,  and  it  was  not  neglected.  Mr.  Loyd's 
statement  of  these  special  labors  will  be  read  with  inte- 
rest:—  "Large  shipments  of  stores  were  received  from 
Indianapolis,  Cincinnati,  Buffalo,  Pittsburg,  and  Phila- 
delphia. Purchases  were  also  made  in  Louisville.  The 
number  of  Delegates  was  inadequate  to  the  work,  yet  the 
following  brief  summary,  from  June  4  to  August  16,  will 
show  that  they  were  not  idle  :  — 


Sermons  and  addresses 170 

Persons  prayed  with 168 

Persons  conversed  with  on  reli- 
gion   3,424 

Testaments  distributed 9,290 

Hymn  books  distributed 7,168 


Religious  papers  distributed       62,090 
Pages  of  tracts  distributed...  1,755,635 
Sheets  of  writing-paper  dis- 
tributed        66,495 

Envelopes  distributed 66,495 

Letters  written  for  soldiers...  273 


"In  addition  to  the  vegetables,  fruits,  and  clothing  re- 
ceived in  boxes  and  barrels,  $934  were  expended  in  the 
Louisville  daily  markets  for  hospital  delicacies,  during 
these  two  months." 

42 


330  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Although  the  work  was  greatly  diminished  in  Louis- 
ville after  the  dispersion  of  General  Sherman's  troops, 
it  did  not  wholly  cease  until  the  close  of  the  year. 

PEOKIA,  ILLINOIS. 

The  location  of  a  camp  at  this  place,  early  in  the  war, 
at  once  occasioned  the  appointment  of  an  Army  Com- 
mittee by  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association.  The 
meetings  held  among  the  soldiers,  with  distribution  of 
reading-matter  and  religious  conversation,  were  not  only 
the  means  of  great  good  to  the  men  thus  reached,  but 
soon  bore  fruit  also  in  the  awakening  of  unusual  reli- 
gious interest  in  the  city.  The  work  for  the  soldiers 
naturally  increased  as  they  left  the  camp  for  the  army, 
and  as  the  army  itself  became  recognized  as  a  field  for 
evangelical  effort,  and  the  Committee  became  fully  aux- 
iliary to  the  Christian  Commission.  In  1864  a  Branch 
Commission  was  established  at  Peoria,  but  with  scarcely 
a  change  in  the  membership  or  officers  of  the  Committee. 
The  officers  were,  William  Reynolds  and  Theodore  Hig- 
bee,  respectively  Chairman  and  Treasurer  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association,  and  A.  G.  Tyng  and  G.  H. 
Mcllvaine,  respectively  Chairman  and  Secretary  of  the 
Army  Committee, — all  prominent  business  men.  The 
home  field  for  the  Peoria  Branch  was  Central  Illinois, 
and  the  army  field  was  the  Department  of  the  Missis- 
sippi,— in  co-operation  with  the  auxiliaries  at  St.  Louis, 
Chicago,  Milwaukee,  and  Detroit.  The  home  field  was 
admirably  canvassed,  as  the  figures  in  the  tables  and 
some  incidents  given  in  the  chapter  on  Contributions 
will  show.  No  salaried  agent  was  employed,  the  Com- 
mittee doing  their  own  collecting,  and  making  also 


AUXILIARIES. PEORIA.  331 

frequent  visits  to  the  army  to  look  after  the  interests  of 
the  Commission  and  to  labor  personally  among  the  sol- 
diers. Rev.  C.  C.  McCabe,  a  most  efficient  home  agent, 
whose  official  relations  were  with  the  Central  Commis- 
sion, assisted  Peoria  and  other  Western  Branches  in 
raising  funds. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1864,  as  already  stated,  the  sta- 
tion at  Cairo  was  taken  in  charge  by  the  Peoria  Com- 
mittee. From  this  point,  besides  the  work  done  on  the 
spot,  they  were  able  to  reach  the  gunboats  and  transports 
on  the  Western  rivers.  Arrangements  were  made, 
through  the  ready  co-operation  of  the  authorities,  by 
which  a  package  of  books  and  papers  was  sent  semi- 
monthly to  each  of  the  fifty-nine  vessels  composing  the 
Mississippi  Squadron. 

There  was  often  great  distress  among  the  multitude  of 
furloughed,  convalescent,  and  disabled  soldiers  who 
gathered  at  Cairo.  Separated  from  their  regiments, 
without  money  and  without  means  of  obtaining  it,  fur- 
nished only  with  transportation,  they  had  frequently 
nothing  upon  which  to  subsist  while  travelling  home- 
ward. The  Peoria  Committee  did  much  to  relieve  these 
sufferers,  by  providing  meal  tickets1  upon  the  principal 
eating  houses  along  the  railroad  lines  through  the  State. 
As  the  sick  and  wounded  men  arrived  at  Cairo  they 
were  visited  by  the  agents  of  the  Commission,  and  each 
man  who  had  need  was  furnished  with  a  sufficient  num- 

1  These  tickets  were  of  colored  card-board,  in  shape  like  a  railroad  conduc- 
tor's check.  Upon  one  side  was  printed,  "United  States  Christian  Cninnii- 
nion  Meal  Ticket.  Good  for  one  Meal  at  Stations  on  back  of  thi«  card. 
Signed  by  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Peoria  Branch.  On  the  back 
was  a  list  of  the  stations  at  which  the  ticket  would  be  received,  with  the  n»m« 
of  the  keeper  of  the  eating  house. 


332  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ber  of  these  tickets  to  secure  him  three  good  meals  per 
day  until  he  could  reach  home.  The  eating  houses  sup- 
plied the  tickets  to  the  Commission  at  a  reduced  price 
(twenty-five  cents  each) ,  received  all  that  were  presented, 
and  forwarded  them  to  Peoria  for  redemption  at  the  end 
of  each  month. 

The  reader  does  not  require  to  be  reminded  that  these 
simple  manifestations  of  Christian  sympathy  and  efforts 
to  succor  those  who  were  periling  all  for  the  national 
cause,  often  touched  the  hearts  of  those  upon  whom  they 
were  bestowed.  Many  a  new  life  began  in  the  reception 
of  some  little  courteous  attention,  wholly  unlocked  for, 
which  required  but  a  moment  and  a  Christian  smile, 
and  an  opportune  word  withal,  that  should  direct  the 
thoughts  to  Jesus  Christ  the  Saviour. 


NEW  YORK  CITY. 

"  Early  in  the  history  of  the  General  Commission  it 
was  discovered  that  a  large  part  of  its  work  would  have 
to  be  reached  by  means  of  the  government  ships  leaving 
the  port  of  New  York.  In  no  other  way  could  it  carry 
on  its  operations  on  the  South- Atlantic  coast,  along  the 
Gulf,  and  upon  the  lower  Mississippi.  To  meet  this 
necessity,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  create  a  separate 
organization,  to  be  located  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
which  would  be  auxiliary  to  the  parent  Commission,  in 
sympathy  and  co-operation,  but  to  which  a  distinct  field 
of  labor  would  be  assigned,  and  also  a  limited  field  from 
which  to  draw  supplies.  Accordingly,  on  the  8th  of 
December,  1862,  the  New  York  Branch  of  the  Christian 


AUXILIARIES. M-.W    YORK.  333 

Commission  was  formed."1  The  men  who  thus  associated 
themselves  in  the  work  were  among  the  most  prominent 
in  the  city.  William  E.  Dodge  was  chosen  Chairman 
of  the  General  Board ;  Frederick  G.  Foster,  Vice-Chair- 
man ;  James  M.  Brown,  Treasurer ;  Rev.  Russell  S.  Cook, 
Secretary.  An  Executive  Committee  of  eight  was  ap- 
pointed, of  which  Mr.  Foster  was  ex  officio  Chairman. 
In  the  latter  part  of  April,  1863,  Mr.  Cook  and  Mr. 
Foster  withdrew  from  their  official  positions,  through  the 
pressure  of  other  duties.  Nathan  Bishop  was  chosen 
Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee,  and  also  assumed 
the  labor  of  conducting  the  correspondence, — attending 
"  personally  to  every  department  of  the  work."  The 
Committee's  duties  were  numerous  and  arduous,  often 
requiring  daily  and  protracted  sessions,  but  the  work 
was  thoroughly  systematized  and  divided  among  special 
committees,  and  was  done  with  the  promptness  and 
fidelity  to  be  expected  from  the  men  who  had  it  in 
charge.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  Mr.  Brown,  being  about 
to  visit  Europe,  resigned  the  office  of  Treasurer,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Morris  K.  Jesup.  At  the  same  time,  Dr. 
Bishop's  health  failing  under  his  constant  labors,  Rev. 
Dr.  H.  Dyer  was  appointed  Secretary.  The  rooms  of 
the  Commission  were  in  the  Bible  House,  No.  30. 

"  By  an  arrangement  with  the  Central  Commission, 
there  was  assigned  to  the  New  York  Branch  the  follow- 
ing field  of  operations:  1.  The  vessels  of  war  fitted  out 
in  the  harbor  of  New  York,  with  their  transports  and  the 
squadrons  receiving  supplies,  making  nearly  the  whole 

1  A  Memorial  Record  of  the  New  York  Branch  of  the  United  State*  C*r*i<ian 
Commission.  Compiled  under  the  direction  of  the  Executive  Committee.  1866. 
See  p.  14. 


334  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

naval  force  of  the  country.  2.  The  forts,  camps,  naval 
and  military  hospitals  in  New  York  and  vicinity.  3. 
The  armies  and  military  and  naval  hospitals  along  the 
South- Atlantic  coast,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chesapeake, 
in  the  sounds  of  North  Carolina,  the  islands  of  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  the  mainland  and  islands  of 
Florida  and  Alabama,  and  within  the  military  depart- 
ment of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  aggregate  number 
of  sailors  and  soldiers  embraced  within  these  limits  was 
estimated  at  about  one-fourth  of  the  war  forces  of  the 
country,  of  whom  not  far  from  one-tenth  were  in  hos- 
pitals. 

"The  field,  as  at  last  defined,  from  which  this  Branch 
of  the  Commission  was  to  obtain  supplies  of  funds  and 
stores,  embraced  the  city  of  New  York,  the  towns  on 
the  Hudson  below  Albany,  Eastern  New  Jersey,  and 
Connecticut.1  .... 

"  For  the  sake  of  greater  efficiency,  the  general  field 
was  divided  into  distinct  departments, — each  department 
bearing  a  particular  name.  Over  each  department  a 
suitable  person  was  appointed,  to  act  as  agent.  All  the 
Delegates  for  a  given  department  were  under  the  super- 
vision of  this  agent,  whose  duty  it  was  to  assign  them 
their  particular  work,  and  furnish  them  with  such  sup- 
plies as  they  might  need.  All  the  forts,  hospitals,  troops, 
and  shipping  within  the  department  were  to  be  provided 
for.  This  agent  was  in  constant  communication  with  the 
office  in  New  York,  receiving  such  supplies  of  stores 
and  reading-matter  as  his  department  might  require,  and 
rendering  monthly  an  account  of  all  the  work  under  his 

1  Memorial  Record,  p.  16. 


AUXILIARIES. NEW    YORK.  335 

care.  By  this  arrangement  the  Committee  always  knew 
what  was  wanted  and  where  it  was  wanted 

"  The  departments  of  labor  may  be  numbered  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

"  1.  The  forts,  camps,  and  naval  and  military  hospi- 
tals in  New  York,  and  in  the  neighborhoods  and  towns 
from  fifteen  to  twenty  miles  from  the  city.  Of  these 
there  were  some  twenty,  embracing  on  an  average  from 
fifteen  to  twenty  thousand  men. 

"  2.  The  ships  of  war,  with  their  transports,  leaving 
the  navy-yard  of  Brooklyn.  There  were  about  five 
hundred  and  eighty  ships,  and  thirty-four  thousand  sea- 
men. These  constituted  the  larger  part  of  the  naval 
force  of  the  United  States. 

"  3.  The  Department  of  Eastern  Virginia,  embracing 
Norfolk,  Portsmouth,  and  the  fleets  coming  to  and  de- 
parting from  that  port,  The  Rev.  E.  N.  Crane  was  the 
agent,  and  had  his  headquarters  at  Norfolk.  The  num- 
ber of  Delegates  varied  from  six  to  twelve.  This  depart- 
ment was  administered  with  great  system  and  economy. 

"4.  The  Department  of  North  Carolina,  embracing 
all  the  territory  within  the  Union  lines  South  of  Vir- 
ginia. The  headquarters  were  at  Newbern.  The  follow- 
ing persons  acted  as  agents, — Rev.  Jacob  Best,  Rev. 
John  C.  Taylor,  Rev.  A.  S.  Lovell,  and  Rev.  Washing- 
ion  Rodman.  The  number  of  Delegates  varied  from 
ten  to  eighteen.  The  labors  of  this  department  were 
most  difficult  and  arduous.  After  the  fall  of  Wilming- 
ton, and  the  approach  of  General  Sherman's  army,  all 
the  hospitals  were  crowded  with  the  sick  and  WOtmded, 
and  the  Delegates  were  taxed  to  the  utmost  of  their 
abilities. 


336  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

"5.  The  Department  of  the  South,  embracing  all  the 
territory  within  the  Union  lines  in  South  Carolina, 
Georgia,  and  Florida.  Headquarters  at  Hilton  Head. 
The  agents  were  Rev.  W.  H.  Taylor,  Rev.  Joseph  Hen- 
son,  and  Rev.  Dwight  Spencer.  Number  of  Delegates 
varied  from  ten  to  fifteen.  The  affairs  of  this  depart- 
ment were  conducted  in  a  most  satisfactory  manner. 

"  6.  The  Department  of  the  Gulf,  including  all  points 
within  the  Union  lines  from  Key  West  on  the  East  to 
the  Rio  Grande  on  the  West,  the  lower  Mississippi  as 
far  North  as  Port  Hudson,  and  also  the  Red  River 
region  as  far  as  the  Union  forces  held  possession.  The 
headquarters  were  at  New  Orleans.  For  a  few  months 
the  Rev.  J.  F.  Sutten  acted  as  agent.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Dr.  J.  V.  C.  Smith,  whose  medical  knowledge  and 
eminent  administrative  abilities  peculiarly  fitted  him  for 
this  most  responsible  position.  For  two  years  and  a 
half  he  conducted  (gratuitously)  the  affairs  of  his  de- 
partment, not  only  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Com- 
mittee, but  to  the  great  comfort  and  benefit  of  the  sol- 
diers and  sailors  who  came  within  the  limits  of  his  field. 
He  was  most  ably  seconded  by  a  corps  of  twenty  or  more 
Delegates,  some  of  whom  continued  in  the  service  for 
two  years  or  more."1 

The  Committee  make  special  mention  of  the  valuable 
services  rendered  by  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins  and  Dr. 
Oliver  Bronson.  Mr.  Mingins  acted  as  General  Agent, 
in  awakening  the  public  and  raising  funds.  Familiar 
with  the  work  from  its  beginning,  in  the  first  company 
of  Delegates  to  the  army  and  frequently  renewing  his 
experience  by  subsequent  visits,  and  an  effective  speaker, 

1  Memorial  Record,  pp.  31-33. 


AUXILIARIES. NEW   YORK.  337 

he  was  of  signal  service  in  securing  the  sympathy  and 
aid  of  the  many  communities  he  addressed.  Dr.  Bron- 
son  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Publications. 
"  Everything  in  this  department  came  under  his  personal 
supervision  and  care.  Besides  carefully  selecting  from 
the  issues  of  the  different  societies  and  of  the  various 
publishing  houses,  he  had  several  small  books  and  tracts 
prepared  with  special  application  to  the  men  in  service." 

Some  peculiarities  in  their  field  of  operations  need  to 
be  considered,  in  order  rightly  to  estimate  the  work  done 
by  the  New  York  Committee  as  compared  with  other 
auxiliaries.  Many  of  their  stations  were  distant,  and 
the  passage  to  them  was  tedious  and  expensive.  They 
were  dependent  upon  the  government  naval  transports 
for  the  carriage  of  Delegates  and  stores,  and  although 
government  officials  were  uniformly  courteous  and  ac- 
commodating, yet  the  exigencies  of  the  service  often 
rendered  the  facilities  at  command  wholly  inadequate, 
and  compelled  the  postponement  of  the  desire  of  a 
benevolent  society  to  the  more  urgent  demands  of  war. 
The  need  was  less  in  the  navy  than  in  the  army  for 
extra  sanitary  supplies.  For  this  and  other  reasons, 
and  especially  influenced  by  the  consideration  that  the 
entire  blockading  squadron  was  without  a  chaplain,  the 
Committee  gave  their  chief  attention  to  the  sending  out 
of  Delegates  and  the  distribution  of  reading-matter. 

Their  position  also  required  a  departure  from  the 
general  custom  of  the  Commission  in  the  period  of  ser- 
vice and  compensation  of  Delegates.  The  six  weeks' 
rule  was  wholly  inapplicable,  where  the  stations  were  so 
distant,  and  hence  six  months  were  fixed  by  the  New 
York  Committee  as  the  least  time  for  which  it  was  ex- 

43 


338  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

pedient  to  employ  a  Delegate.  No  special  provision  was 
made  for  subsisting  the  Delegates,  as  was  done  at  the 
establishments  of  the  Commission  among  the  land  forces, 
but  a  small  compensation  was  allowed,  sufficient  merely 
for  personal  expenses.  It  will  therefore  be  noticed  in 
the  tables  that  the  New  York  office  shows  an  apparent 
disproportionate  outlay  for  Delegates'  expenses.  The 
disproportion,  however,  is  apparent  only  and  not  real. 
The  New  York  Delegates  served  an  average  period  of 
four  months  and  a  half  each, — the  average  being  con- 
siderably reduced  by  the  fact  that  a  number  of  clergymen 
and  others  visited  the  nearer  armies  at  various  times, 
remaining  only  a  few  days  or  weeks,  that  they  might  be 
able  to  report  to  the  public  the  operations  and  necessities 
of  the  Commission.  The  average  term  served  by  the 
whole  body  of  Delegates,  omitting  those  sent  out  by  the 
New  York  Committee,  is  a  fraction  less  than  thirty-five 
days,  or  five  weeks.  The  New  York  Delegate  force 
should  therefore,  in  equity,  be  represented  by  673,  instead 
of  the  number  given  in  the  tables,  177, — inasmuch  as 
each  man  served  three  and  a  half  times  as  many  days 
as  those  sent  from  the  other  offices.  With  this  as  a 
basis,  if  the  entire  sum  of  field  expenses  (omitting  only 
that  which  pertains  to  the  support  of  diet  kitchens)  be 
apportioned  to  each  Delegate  and  permanent  agent,  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  expenses  averaged  a  few  dollars 
more  per  man  for  the  New  York  office  than  for  the  Com- 
mission as  a  whole.  The  comparison  is  of  interest 
mainly  as  illustrating  the  two  methods  of  working, — the 
one  engaging  men  for  a  short  time,  giving  no  compensa- 
tion, paying  only  actual  expenses,  and  subsisting  them 
on  the  field  at  quarters  specially  provided;  the  other 


AUXILIARIES. NEW    YORK.  339 

engaging  the  men  for  a  much  longer  time,  paying  them 
a  small  compensation,  and  allowing  them  to  provide  for 
themselves.  It  seems  that  on  the  score  of  economy  there 
is  little  to  choose ;  the  more  permanent  men  doubtless 
became  better  trained  to  their  work  and  therefore  more 
efficient;  while  those  whose  periods  of  service  were 
shorter 'contributed  more  to  keep  up  an  active  sympathy 
between  the  home  and  the  army,  and  thus  supply  the 
constant  and  fresh  information  that  was  needed  to  elicit 
means  requisite  for  the  great  work.  Each  method  had 
some  advantages  that  the  other  had  not,  and  each  was 
better  suited  to  the  circumstances  under  which  it  was 
employed,  while  it  was  well  that  both  could  be  so  used 
as  to  produce  such  abundant  and  good  fruit. 

The  operations  of  the  New  York  Committee  lay,  for 
the  most  part,  within  a  field  less  under  the  public  eye 
than  were  the  vast  land  forces  East  and  West.  The 
plea  for  help  was  therefore  not  so  self-evident  and  irre- 
sistible as  for  "  battle-field  work,"  or  for  the  camps  and 
hospitals  near  at  hand,  whose  occupants  were  in  daily 
communication  with  their  homes.  These  considerations 
seemed  at  times  to  hinder  the  Committee  from  securing 
their  share  of  the  public  attention  and  resources.  Besides 
this,  their  city  was  the  central  seat  of  other  and  power- 
ful organizations  which  were  doing  what  at  least  appeared 
to  be  a  similar  work,  and  for  which  there  was  properly 
given  a  generous  assistance.  But  still  they  were  able  to 
report  the  collection  of  a  large  sum  ($307,649.38),  ;md 
were  never  really  embarrassed  for  want  of  funds.  The 
members  of  the  Committee,  as  was  indeed  the  case  gene- 
rally with  all  the  committees,  were  among  tlx  fargeef 
contributors.  New  York  was  second  only  to  Boston  in 


340  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHKISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

the  amount  of  her  cash  receipts,  and  in  her  cash  expen- 
ditures she  was,  as  would  be  expected  from  the  survey 
of  her  field,  first  among  the  auxiliaries. 

It  was  fitting  that  the  Committee  should  close  their 
record  with  this  minute :  — 

Before  this  Committee  finally  adjourn,  they  desire  to  return  their 
sincere  thanks  to  all  who  by  their  contributions  of  money,  stores, 
personal  efforts,  and  their  prayers,  have  enabled  the  Commission  to 
accomplish  its  work  of  mercy  in  the  army  and  the  navy  of  the  United 
States. 

They  desire,  also,  as  their  closing  act,  to  express  and  place  on 
record  their  deep  sense  of  gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  for  the  mani- 
fold tokens  of  his  love  and  favor  toward  the  Commission,  in  the  ser- 
vices in  which  it  has  been  engaged.  And  especially  would  they 
reverently  acknowledge  his  great  goodness  in  staying  the  desolations 
of  war,  in  restoring  peace  to  our  land,  and  in  preserving  and  strength- 
ening our  national  Government.  From  him  alone  these  blessings 
have  come,  and  to  his  great  name,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
would  we  ascribe  all  the  honor  and  glory  of  this  great  salvation. 

MAINE. 

Religious  work  among  the  soldiers  began  in  the  State 
of  Maine  with  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  In  April,  1861, 
Messrs.  Charles  Douglass  and  G.  H.  Palmer  procured 
contributions  from  the  churches  in  Bath,  and  furnished 
Testaments  to  every  member  of  two  companies  of  the 
Third  Maine  Regiment.  Other  communities  were  early 
interested.  As  the  work  of  the  Christian  Commission 
became  known,  active  auxiliary  committees  were  formed 
in  Bangor,  Bath,  and  Portland.  These  were  natural 
centres  for  the  benefactions  of  the  surrounding  com- 
munities. Ultimately  the  State  was  thoroughly  organ- 
ized, each  of  the  above  committees  undertaking  the 
canvass  of  five  counties.  Rev.  S.  L.  Bowler  did  good . 


AUXILIARIES. TROY. CINCINNATI.  341 

service  as  State  Agent.  Some  of  the  returns  from  the 
several  committees  are  given  in  the  tables,  but  much 
was  sent  from  the  numerous  local  aid  societies  directly 
to  the  agency  in  Boston,  to  which  Maine  was  more  im- 
mediately auxiliary.  A  full  exhibit  for  the  State  cannot 
therefore  be  separately  given.  The  Bath  Committee 
estimate  the  total  receipts  on  their  field  at  $24,987.57, 
and  the  estimates  for  Bangor  and  Portland  should  pro- 
bably be  correspondingly  increased. 

TROY,  NEW  YORK. 

The  Troy  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission  was 
formed  in  January,  1863,  with  Harvey  J.  King  as 
Chairman,  and  Chas.  P.  Hartt  as  Secretary  and  Trea- 
surer. Their  home  field  was  limited.  Besides  working 
among  the  soldiers  in  their  own  city,  they  forwarded 
several  thousands  of  dollars  to  the  Central  Office. 

CINCINNATI. 

Although  Cincinnati  had  from  the  beginning  contri- 
buted in  various  ways  to  the  welfare  of  the  army,  the 
work  of  the  Christian  Commission  was  not  organized 
there  until  the  spring  of  1863.  Kev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw, 
well  known  as  a  Sunday-school  missionary,  was  mainly 
instrumental  in  forming  the  first  committee.  He  had 
previously  been  Chaplain  of  the  Thirty-ninth  Ohio 
Regiment,  and  had  also  visited  the  forces  in  the  South- 
west as  the  Agent  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  besides 
laboring  in  the  local  camps  and  hospitals.  A  public 
meeting  was  held  early  in  April,  1863,  at  which  Mnjor- 
Gerieral  Burnside,  then  Commander  of  the  Department, 
made  an  effective  address,  commending  the  Christian 


342  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Commission  to  public  favor.  A  Committee  was  at  once 
organized,  with  L.  C.  Hopkins  as  President;  W.  T. 
Perkins,  Treasurer;  and  Rev.  B.  W.  Chidlaw,  Secretary. 
The  work  was  new,  other  organizations  were  in  successful 
operation,  and  the  Commission  was  compelled  to  win  for 
itself  position  and  influence.  In  July  of  the  same  year 
the  Committee  was  re-organized,  and  A.  E.  Chamberlain 
became  President.  A  little  later  Rev.  J.  F.  Marlay  was 
chosen  Secretary,  Mr.  Chidlaw  continuing  to  give  valu- 
able assistance  as  General  Agent.  Mr.  Chamberlain 
furnished  rooms  for  the  Commission's  business  in  his 
own  establishment,  and  gave  himself  almost  wholly  to 
its  interests.  In  the  following  summer  Mr.  Perkins 
removed  from  the  city,  and  the  finances  of  the  Committee 
were  managed  by  the  executive  officers,  without  form- 
ally appointing  a  treasurer. 

The  Cincinnati  Branch  became  the  base  office  for 
the  Commission's  work  in  the  military  departments 
of  the  Ohio  and  the  Cumberland,  being  aided  in  this 
field  by  the  agencies  at  Pittsburg,  Indianapolis,  and 
Louisville. 

The  home  district  of  this  auxiliary  was  well  culti- 
vated, as  the  fruits  show.  Messrs.  Chamberlain,  Marlay, 
and  Chidlaw,  assisted  by  others  of  the  Committee,  espe- 
cially by  Hon.  Bellamy  Storer,  held  frequent  public 
meetings  in  the  larger  towns  and  villages.  They  were 
greatly  aided,  as  was  everywhere  the  case,  by  those  who 
had  been  Delegates  to  the  army,  and  by  the  letters  and 
visits  of  the  soldiers.  Numerous  Ladies'  Aid  Societies, — 
"scores  and  hundreds,"  the  Report  says, — became  tribu- 
tary, and  few  things  in  the  history  of  benevolence  are 
more  remarkable  than  the  rapidity  with  which  the 


I 

AUXILIARIES.  —  CINCINNATI.  343 

resources  of  the  Cincinnati  Branch  multiplied.  This  is 
particularly  striking  in  the  returns  of  donated  stores. 
These  increased  in  1864  more  than  twelve-fold  over 
those  of  1863,  and  in  the  few  months  during  which  the 
receipts  continued  in  1865  they  were  much  greater  than 
at  any  other  office,  excepting  Pittsburg  and  not  except- 
ing Philadelphia. 

There  was  at  first  some  hesitation  by  the  Committee 
at  Cincinnati,  as  elsewhere,  to  make  the  Christian  Com- 
mission entirely  independent  and  untrammeled  in  its 
operations,  with  complete  control  over  its  stores  and 
other  appliances.  But  the  necessity  for  this  was  soon 
made  apparent,  and  it  was  seen  that  the  most  efficient 
co-operation  with  others,  as  well  as  the  vigor  and  use- 
fulness of  its  own  efforts,  required  entire  freedom  of 
action.  This  necessity  was  yielded  to  as  soon  as  recog- 
nized, and  the  splendid  results  are  partially  indicated  in 
the  statistical  tables.  The  gratuitous  services  of  the 
Committee,  with  the  facilities  afforded  by  Government, 
and  the  favors  of  transportation  companies,  kept  the 
expenses  at  a  very  low  figure. 

Cincinnati  was  the  centre  of  a  local  work  of  great 
importance,  to  which  the  Committee  gave  faithful  atten- 
tion. Not  to  particularize  other  places,  Camp  Dennison 
was  itself  a  considerable  village  of  neat  and  well-occupied 
wooden  barracks,  where  every  facility  was  afforded  to 
the  Commission  by  the  commanding  officer.  The  chapel 
was  the  seat  of  almost  continuous  religious  interest,  and 
was  one  of  the  many  places  throughout  the  army  where 
the  Spirit  of  God  signalized  his  gracious  power  to  renew 
and  sanctify  the  hearts  of  men. 

The  Cincinnati  Branch  first  moved  in  the  matter  of 


344  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

establishing  special  diet  kitchens  in  the  army  hospitals,1 
upon  the  plan  of  Mrs.  Wittenmyer.  In  addition  to 
those  established  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  there 
was  a  large  and  very  serviceable  kitchen,  under  the 
immediate  supervision  of  the  Committee,  at  Camp 
Dennison.  It  was  in  charge  of  Mrs.  Lucy  H.  Burrowes, 
with  several  lady  assistants.  By  their  gentle  ministry 
not  only  were  many  valuable  lives  saved  and  much 
bodily  comfort  secured,  through  a  proper  diet  properly 
prepared  for  the  sick  and  convalescent,  but  there  were 
also  many  precious  souls  won  to  the  Saviour. 

The  Cincinnati  Committee  sent  into  the  army  several 
wooden  chapels  of  unique  and  convenient  pattern.  They 
were  wholly  prepared  by  the  manufacturer  in  the  city, 
packed  in  suitable  shape  for  shipment,  and  readily  put 
together  when  they  reached  their  destination.  For 
many  locations  they  were  much  superior  to  tents.  For 
a  chapel,  measuring  20  feet  by  60,  and  provided  with 
seats,  the  cost  was  $800.  This  item  is  from  the  Com- 
mittee's report  for  1864:  — 

One  of  the  most  important  features  of  our  Avork  has  been  the  dis- 
tribution of  stationery.  During  the  past  year  about  two  thousand 
reams  of  paper,  with  three  hundred  thousand  envelopes,  have  been 
furnished  to  the  soldiers  from  this  office.  During  the  presence  of 
Hood's  army  before  Nashville,  our  agents  at  that  point  distributed 
writing  paper  among  the  soldiers  of  General  Thomas  at  the  rate  of 
35,000  sheets  per  day. 

A  final  public  meeting  was  held,  at  which  a  compre- 

1  In  the  spring  of  1864,  twenty  cows  were  bought  by  this  Branch  for  the 
Cumberland  Hospital  at  Nashville.  Dayton,  Ohio,  furnished  the  purchase 
money,  the  surgeon  in  charge  at  the  hospital  provided  a  detail  of  soldiers  from 
the  Invalid  Corps  to  care  for  the  cows,  and  so  the  2,400  sick  and  wounded  men 
had  the  luxury  of  fresh  milk  every  day. 


AUXILIARIES. —  PITTSBURG.  345 

hensive  report  of  the  entire  work  was  given,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1865,  at  which  time  also  the  office  was  closed.1  If 
the  record  opened  in  weakness  it  closed  in  power,  and 
many  hearts  were  filled  with  gratitude  to  God  for  the 
blessed  privilege  of  doing  something  toward  preserv- 
ing and  comforting  the  men  who  saved  the  nation. 

PITTSBURG. 

"The  Army  Committee  of  Western  Pennsylvania  was 
organized  April  6th,  1863.  Prior  to  that  time,  the  only 
association  which  had  been  regularly  and  systematically 
forwarding  hospital  stores  to  the  army  was  the  Pitts- 
burg  Subsistence  Committee,  appointed  by  the  citizens 
of  Pittsburg  at  a  meeting  held  in  August,  1861.  Its 
proper  duty  was  the  providing  of  refreshments  for  all 
regiments  or  companies  passing  through  the  city  to  or 
from  the  seat  of  war.  After  the  reception  from  several 
hospitals  of  pressing  appeals  for  stores,  the  Committee 
opened  depots  for  receiving  articles  for  the  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers,  and  sent  or  appointed  agents  at  various 
points  to  attend  to  the  proper  distribution  of  the  goods 
donated.  Depending  entirely  on  the  free-will  offerings 
of  the  people,  the  contributions  poured  in  so  rapidly  and 
continuously  that  goods,  amounting  in  value  to  sixty 
thousand  dollars,  were  forwarded  and  distributed  by  the 
Subsistence  Committee  between  January,  1862,  and 
April,  1863. 

"After  a  meeting  held  by  Mr.  George  H.  Stuart  and 
others,  the  Subsistence  Committee  resolved  to  transfer 
its  store-room  and  stores  on  hand  to  the  United  States 

»  Some  aid  was  given  by  the  Committee  to  the  uupplementary  operation*  of 
the  Commission  among  the  troops  which  were  moved  South  and  West. 

44 


346  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Christian  Commission,  and,  while  not  neglecting  its 
legitimate  work  of  feeding  the  soldiers,  to  unite  heartily 
with  the  national  organization  in  its  great  work. 

"At  a  meeting  of  ministers  and  members  of  the  vari- 
ous denominations,  held  in  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church,  April  6, 1863,  the  Army  Committee  of  Western 
Pennsylvania  was  organized,  and  the  following  officers 
elected: — President,  Rev.  Herrick  Johnson;  Chairman 
of  Executive  Committee,  Hon.  Robert  McKnight;  Sec- 
retary, Robert  C.  Totten;  Treasurer,  Joseph  Albree; 
Receiver,  William  P.  Weyman. 

"The  first  public  meeting  was  held  on  the  evening  of 
April  16,  1863,  at  which  time  the  new  Committee  began 
to  work  in  connection  with  the  United  States  Christian 
Commission."1 

The  members  of  the  Committee,  as  it  finally  stood, 
represented  various  parts  of  the  home  field.  Some  slight 
changes  were  made  among  the  officers  in  1864, — William 
Frew  becoming  Treasurer,  and  Mr.  Albree  taking  the 
title  of  Field  Secretary. 

The  work  of  the  Subsistence  Committee2  had  been  so 

1  Second  Annual  Report  of  the  Christian  Commission,  pp.  192,  193. 

2  This  Subsistence  Committee  was  composed  of  about  forty  active  members, 
the  majority  being  ladies.     The  duty  they  took  upon  themselves  was  to  see 
that  no  soldier  passed  through  Pittsburg,  either  to  or  from  the  army,  by  day  or 
night,  without  a  comfortable  meal  of  victuals.     They  were  also  prepared  to 
furnish  lodgings  for  those  that  needed,  and  medicine  and  nursing  for  the  sick. 
Those  who  know  the  hours  at  which  the  heavy  passenger  trains  arrive  upon 
the  railroads  centring  in  Pittsburg,  will  readily  understand  that  the  night  work 
of  this  Committee  was  even  more  laborious  than  the  work  by  day.     There  was 
a  promptness,  neatness,  liberality,  and  withal  a  Christian  cheerfulness,  in  their 
operations,  from  beginning  to  end,  that  won  golden  opinions  from  the  soldiers, 
and  are  worthy  of  greater  praise  and  a  larger  record  than  can  here  be  given 
them.     Besides  all  else  that  they  did,  this  Committee  fed  more  than  Jive  hun- 
dred thousand  soldiers  on  their  passage  through  the  city. 


AUXILIARIES. PITTSBURG.  347 

admirably  done,  and  it  had  gained  so  strong  a  hold  upon 
the  confidence  of  the  community,  that  its  alliance  with 
the  Christian  Commission  at  once  secured  to  the  latter  a 
corresponding  position  and  influence.  A  band  of  men 
and  women  had  been  trained  to  a  just  appreciation  of 
the  work,  and  to  skill  in  performing  it.  Messrs.  Albree 
and  Weyman  were  especially  active,  and  to  them  belongs 
no  small  portion  of  the  credit  for  the  noble  record  which 
their  Branch  presents.  •  Their  home  field,  including 
Western  Pennsylvania,  Eastern  Ohio,  and  Western  Vir- 
ginia, was  well  canvassed,  and  local  committees  organized 
in  every  direction.  The  press  and  the  transportation 
companies  freely  furnished  their  great  facilities,  which 
were  vigorously  and  systematically  used.  Various  eccle- 
siastical bodies,  as  conferences  and  presbyteries,  engaged 
to  keep  each  a  Delegate  constantly  in  the  army, — the 
several  ministers  going  in  turn,  and  also  filling  the  pul- 
pits of  those  who  were  absent  upon  this  errand. 

The  Pittsburg  Branch  was  associated  with  those  aux- 
iliaries which  undertook  the  more  immediate  care  of  the 
armies  that  had  their  principal  depot  at  Nashville. 
Help  had  been  sent  there  by  the  Subsistence  Committee 
before  the  Christian  Commission  was  established  in  the 
West,  and  now  their  successors,  the  Army  Committee, 
were  prominent  in  maintaining  and  enlarging  the  work, 
while  finding  also  means  and  men  to  assist  in  supply- 
ing the  armies  in  the  East. 

The  statistical  tables  tell  their  own  story  with  respect 
to  the  operations  of  this  Committee.  While  the  cash 
receipts  ($158,334.37)  rank  Pittsburg  below  Boston  and 
New  York,  the  value  of  her  stores  was  sufficient 
($679,664.89)  to  make  the  total  cash  value  of  all  her 


348  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

receipts  ($837,999.26)  in  excess  of  the  returns  of  any 
other  auxiliary.  The  annual  increase  in  the  amount  of 
stores  received  was  remarkable, — being  about  five-fold 
(remembering  that  only  four  or  five  months  should  be 
reckoned  for  the  year  1865).  The  total  cash  value  of 
stores  was  only  a  little  less  than  of  those  sent  to  the 
Central  Office  (during  the  last  year  it  was  more  than 
three  times  as  great),  and  was  nearly  one-fourth  of  all 
that  were  received  by  the  Commission  and  its  auxiliaries 
throughout  the  country.  It  must  also  be  stated  that  no 
salaries  were  paid  by  the  Committee,  and  that  the  ex- 
penses for  collecting  and  forwarding  their  immense 
receipts  were  $3,787.35, — less  than  one-half  of  one  per 
cent  on  the  gross  amount.  Such  an  exhibit  would  be 
weakened  by  comment  or  praise. 

DETKOIT. 

The  Michigan  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission 
was  organized  at  a  public  meeting  held  In  Detroit,  June 
15, 1863.  Previous  to  that  the  benefactions  of  the  State 
for  the  soldiers  had  reached  the  army  through  other 
channels.  For  a  year  or  more  a  valuable  work  had  been 
going  forward  in  the  hospitals  of  Detroit,  under  the 
management  of  Mrs.  Jane  W.  Brent,  who  continued  her 
labors  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  a  few  changes 
in  the  Detroit  Committee,  the  officers  stood  as  follows :  — 
E.  C.  Walker,  Chairman ;  H.  P.  Baldwin,  Treasurer ; 
Chas.  F.  Clark,  Secretary;  Eev.  G.  Taylor,  State  Agent; 
Francis  Raymond  received  and  forwarded  the  supplies. 
The  tables  indicate  with  sufficient  clearness  what  was 
accomplished  by  this  Committee. 

December  7,  1863,  a  Ladies'  Christian  Commission 


AUXILIARIES. ST.    PAUL. INDIANAPOLIS.         349 

was  formed  in  Detroit,  with  Mrs.  Brent  as  President, 
giving  themselves  to  local  work,  and  doing  great  good. 
Their  expenditures,  amounting  to  many  thousands  of 
dollars,  are  not  included  in  the  exhibits  of  the  Commis- 
sion. 

ST.  PAUL. 

The  Minnesota  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission 
was  constituted  at  St.  Paul,  on  the  evening  of  November 
20,  1863, — the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  re- 
solving itself  into  an  Army  Committee  for  that  purpose. 
The  officers  were,— President,  Geo.  W.  Prescott;  Vice- 
President,  Edward  Eggleston ;  Treasurer,  D.  D.  Mer- 
rill; Corresponding  Secretary,  H.  M.  Knox;  Recording 
Secretary,  H.  K.  Taylor;  Depositary,  W.  S.  Potts. 
There  were  many  difficulties  and  embarrassments  sur- 
rounding the  Committee,  but  they  did  what  they  could. 
Their  local  needs,  with  the  frontier  military  posts 
throughout  the  State,  demanded  most  of  their  attention, 
but  they  were  able  to  contribute  somewhat  also  to  the 
general  work. 

INDIANAPOLIS. 

The  Indiana  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission  was 
organized  at  Indianapolis,  the  last  week  in  November, 
1863,  and  began  its  work  on  the  1st  of  December.  Its 
officers  were,  —  G.  W.  Clippinger,  President;  Jas.  M. 
Ray,  Treasurer ;  L.  H.  Croll,  Recording  Secretary;  Chas. 
N.  Todd,  Corresponding  Secretary  and  General  Agent. 
There  was  from  the  beginning  a  heavy  local  work,  the 
city  being  the  State  military  depot,  and  continually  like 
"  one  great  encampment."  By  all  the  methods  of  the 
Commission,  the  Indianapolis  Committee  co-operated 


350  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

with  the  military  authorities  and  the  chaplains  in  secur- 
ing religious  advantages,  reading-matter,  hospital  com- 
forts, etc.,  for  their  men.  Permanent  Delegates  were 
employed  in  these  labors. 

This  Committee  furnished  assistance  to  other  military 
posts  in  the  State,  and  aided  in  carrying  forward  the 
work  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  It  had  a  num- 
ber of  auxiliary  aid  societies  in  different  parts  of  the 
State.  Its  office  was  closed  July  20,  1865.  The  statis- 
tical tables  show  a  creditable  record,  and  that  the  influ- 
ence and  resources  of  the  Committee  were  steadily  on  the 
increase. 

A  Convention  of  representatives  from  all  the  Western 
Branches  was  held  in  Indianapolis  in  November,  1864. 
Besides  being  a  delightful  opportunity  for  earnest  Chris- 
tian men  to  renew  or  to  make  each  other's  acquaintance, 
the  meeting  had  a  happy  influence  in  consolidating, 
strengthening,  and  enlarging  the  operations  of  the  Com- 
mission. 

ALBANY. 

A  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission  was  organized 
in  Albany,  New  York,  the  1st  of  April,  1864.  Its  offi- 
cers were,— Thos.  W.  Olcott,  President ;  John  F.  Rath- 
bone,  Vice-President ;  Levi  Dedrick,  Secretary;  Wm. 
McElroy,  Treasurer.  Its  active  operations  closed  with 
July,  1865, — thus  bringing  its  history  within  about 
sixteen  months.  During  this  time,  by  labors  among 
the  soldiers  in  Albany  and  by  contributions  for  the 
general  work  in  the  army,  this  Branch  did  good  service. 
There  was  an  efficient  Ladies'  Commission,  through  which 
a  good  part  of  the  work  was  done. 


AUXILIARIES. CONNECTICUT. CLEVELAND.       351 

CONNECTICUT. 

The  Connecticut  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission 
was  organized,  with  headquarters  at  Hartford,  April  17, 
1864.  Governor  Wm.  A.  Buckingham  was  Chairman, 
and  Rev.  H.  Powers,  who  was  also  connected  with  the 
work  in  Western  Massachusetts,  was  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary. Somewhat  later  an  auxiliary  was  formed  at  New 
Haven,  the  two  agencies  purposing  to  divide  the  State 
between  them.  The  returns  in  the  tables  are  given  sepa- 
rately for  the  two  offices.  These  figures,  however,  do 
not  represent  nearly  all  that  was  done  for  the  Commis- 
sion in  the  State,  for  after  the  organization  of  the  Con- 
necticut Branch,  as  well  as  before,  contributions  were 
sent  from  various  communities  to  the  offices  in  Boston, 
New  York,  and  Philadelphia.  Considerable  was  done 
toward  a  thorough  canvass  of  the  State,  with  good  re- 
sults, and  the  constant  increase  of  interest  and  aid  for 
the  Commission's  work  was  in  every  way  encouraging. 

CLEVELAND. 

A  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission  was  organized 
in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  15,  1864.  The  officers  were,— 
Stillman  Witt,  President ;  Joseph  Perkins,  Vice-Presi- 
dent ;  L.  F.  Mellen,  Secretary  ;  S.  H.  Mather,  Treasurer; 
George  Mygatt,  Receiver.  The  home  field  was  small, 
scarcely  extending  beyond  the  "Western  Reserve,"  but 
gave  encouraging  results  for  the  brief  time  that  it  was 
cultivated.  Among  the  Delegates  were  "  a  majority  of 
the  leading  ministers  of  Cleveland  and  vicinity, — six 
pastors  of  the  city  having  been  absent  at  one  time  in  the 
work, — and  with  them  many  prominent  Christian  citi- 


352  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

zens,  officers  of  the  churches,  and  physicians  and  sur- 
geons of  experience  and  distinction."  Among  the  stores 
forwarded  to  the  army  in  1864,  mention  is  made  of 
"  three  tons  of  grapes," — which,  with  their  fine  aroma 
of  Christian  thoughtfulness,  helped  to  comfort  many  a 
weary  sufferer. 

MILWAUKEE. 

The  Wisconsin  Branch  of  the  Christian  Commission 
was  organized  in  October,  1864,  by  appointment  from 
the  Central  Office.  The  Committee  was  composed  of 
men  from  the  several  Christian  denominations,  and  to 
some  extent  from  different  parts  of  the  State.  The 
headquarters,  with  a  majority  of  the  Committee,  were  at 
Milwaukee.  The  officers  were  as  follows: — Walter  S. 
Carter,  Chairman  ;  John  A.  Dutcher,  Treasurer ;  D.  W. 
Perkins,  Secretary.  For  the  few  months  that  remained, 
before  the  Commission  ceased  active  operations,  the  Mil- 
waukee Committee  pushed  their  work  vigorously,  as  their 
figures  in  the  statistical  tables  abundantly  show. 

SAN  FRANCISCO. 

The  propriety  and  expediency  of  sending  an  agent  of 
the  Christian  Commission  to  the  Pacific  Coast  received 
the  attention 'of  the  Executive  Committee  as  early  as  the 
autumn  of  1862.  Nothing  was  done,  however,  until  a 
year  afterward.  In  October,  1863,  the  Committee  re- 
quested Mr.  Stuart  and  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins  to  under- 
take the  proposed  agency.  Other  duties  prevented  the 
fulfilment  of  this  request.  Six  months  more  passed. 
In  April,  1864,  Rev.  Dr.  Patterson  and  Mr.  Mingins 
accepted  the  invitation  of  the  Committee,  and  sailed  for 


AUXILIARIES. — SAN   FRANCISCO.  353 

San  Francisco,1 — the  former  leaving  New  York  on  the 
4th  of  that  month,  and  the  latter  on  the  13th.  Their 
arrival  seemed  to  be  at  an  unfavorable  time.  The  Chris- 
tian Commission  had  received  little  or  no  attention  upon 
the  Pacific  Coast,  and  was  almost  unknown  there,  while 
the  abounding  liberality  of  the  people  was  seeking  the 
army  through  other  channels.  The  country  was  suffer- 
ing from  severe  drought,  which  had  brought  disaster 
upon  the  agricultural  and  mining  interests  and  sent  down 
the  price  of  stocks.  It  was  by  no  means  certain  that  the 
distinctively  religious  feature  of  the  Commission's  work 
would  not  exclude  it  from  the  favorable  notice  of  all 
except  the  membership  of  the  evangelical  churches,  and 
even  they  might  possibly  doubt  the  necessity  of  trans- 
ferring their  benefactions  from  other  established  organi- 
zations to  a  new  one.  But  a  hearing  was  gained,  .the 
value  of  the  work  was  appreciated,  and  it  was  readily 
acknowledged  that  what  had  so  signally  met  the  obvious 
needs  of  the  army  must  be  sustained.  Prominent  citi- 
zens, pastors  of  the  churches,  and  the  press,  assisted  the 
agents  in  getting  the  attention  of  the  public,  through 
general  meetings  and  more  private  conferences,  and 
before  the  close  of  May  the  Pacific  Christian  Commis- 
sion was  organized.  The  officers  were, — J.  B.  Koberts, 
President ;  P.  Sather,  Treasurer ;  Rey.  E.  Thomas,  Sec- 
retary; and  the  office  was  at  21  Montgomery  Street,  San 
Francisco. 

Mrs.  Colonel  S.  M.  Bowman  went  to  California,  upon 

1  Through  the  courtesy  of  David  Hoadley,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Panama 
Railroad  Company,  and  of  the  other  parties  interested,  all  the  Commi--i<>n'- 
agents  to  the  Pacific  Coast  were  favored  with  free  passage  across  the  Isthmus, 
and  from  Panama  to  San  Francisco. 
45 


354  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

a  business  errand,  in  the  same  ship  that  carried  Dr.  Pat- 
terson. Greatly  interested  in  the  work  of  the  Christian 
Commission  (being  also  the  sister  of  its  General  Secre- 
tary), and  well-known  in  San  Francisco,  where  she  had 
formerly  resided,  she  gave  the  influence  of  her  position  and 
acquaintance  to  the  new  agency  upon  the  Pacific  Coast. 
Early  in  June  the  Ladies'  Christian  Commission  of  the 
Pacific  was  formed,  to  co-operate  with  the  Committee  of 
gentlemen,  and  Mrs.  Bowman  was  chosen  President.  A 
Ladies'  Fair  was  soon  projected,  designed  to  unite  the 
friends  in  the  city  in  a  special  effort  for  the  Commission. 
It  was  held  during  the  first  fortnight  in  September, 
everything  objectionable  was  rigorously  excluded  from 
its  management,  and  the  enterprise  proved  a  great  suc- 
cess. By  it  over  $50,000  were  added  to  the  Commis- 
sion's treasury.  On  the  return  of  Mrs.  Bowman,  in  the 
latter  part  of  September,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Keeney  (wife  of 
U.  S.  A.  Medical  Director  at  San  Francisco)  was  chosen 
President  of  the  Ladies'  Commission.  The  work  was 
extended  to  other  towns  and  communities  on  the  coast, 
sixteen  auxiliaries  were  constituted,  and  monthly  con- 
tributions were  forwarded  to  the  San  Francisco  office. 
This  organization  of  ladies  was  in  existence  just  one  year, 
and  it  ceased  with  their  first  anniversary,  June  7,  1865. 
The  total  amount  of  money  forwarded  by  it  to  the  cen- 
tral treasury  was  $70,113.  A  few  boxes  of  choice  stores 
were  also  sent.  A  pleasant  feature  in  the  work  of  the 
ladies  was  the  formation  of  a  Youth's  Christian  Commis- 
sion, with  a  handsome  certificate  and  moderate  member- 
ship fee. 

Rev.  Dr.  Patterson  returned  to  the  East  in  September, 
1864,  and  Mr.  Mingins  at  the  close  of  the  year.     Eev. 


AUXILIARIES.  —  UTICA.  355 

C.  P.  Lyford  and  wife  went  out  in  October,  and  returned 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  following  April.  Kev.  H.  D. 
Lathrop  went  out  in  December,  and  remained  until  the 
work  ceased  in  June,  1865.  These  gentlemen  visited 
the  principal  cities  and  towns  in  California,  Oregon, 
Nevada,  and  Washington  Territory.  They  were  every- 
where welcomed.  Auxiliary  Committees  were  organized, 
and  generous  contributions  forwarded,  either  directly  to 
the  Central  Office  or  through  the  San  Francisco  agency. 
The  Pacific  Coast  was  also  represented  in  the  army  by 
Delegates  from  California  and  Oregon.  Rev.  Mr.  Ris- 
ing, of  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  before  removing  there, 
had  been  one  of  the  very  first  volunteer  laborers  in  the 
army,  and  continued  throughout  an  efficient  friend  of 
the  Commission.  The  contributions  from  the  Pacific 
Coast  reached  the  sum  of  $175,613.19. 

UTICA,  NEW  YOKK. 

The  Central  New  York  Branch  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission, embracing  eleven  counties,  with  headquarters 
at  Utica,  was  organized  November  15, 1864.  Hon.  "Wm. 
J.  Bacon  was  President ;  a  Vice-President  in  each  of  the 
counties  of  the  home  field  ;  Robt.  S.  Williams,  Treasurer; 
Rev.  D.  W.  Bristol,  D.  D.,  Secretary  and  Agent ;  Rev.  P. 
H.  Fowler,  D.  D.,  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee. 
The  close  of  the  war  confined  the  operations  of  this 
Branch  to  a  few  months,  but  during  that  time  a  good 
work  was  done. 

Besides  the  auxiliaries  above  named  there  were  also 
Branch  Commissions  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island ; 
Springfield,  Massachusetts  ;  Newark,  New  Jersey ;  Har- 


356  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

risburg,  Pennsylvania ;  Wheeling,  West  Virginia ;  To- 
ledo, Ohio;  and  perhaps  in  other  places, — reporting 
either  to  the  Central  Office  or  to  some  more  prominent 
auxiliary. 

The  foregoing  enumeration  of  Branches,  each  of  which 
was  the  centre  of  numerous  local  societies  of  various 
names,  will  show  the  method  of  home  organization  by 
which  the  Commission  sought  to  maintain  the  public 
interest  in  its  work,  and  to  secure  the  necessary  resources. 
One  feature  of  this  home  organization,  however,  remains 
for  more  particular  notice,  and  that  is 

THE  LADIES'  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSIONS. 

Mention  has  already  been  made  of  the  operations  of 
several  Ladies'  Christian  Commissions,  as  at  Buffalo, 
Detroit,  San  Francisco,  etc.  And  everywhere,  whether 
distinctly  named  or  not,  the  ladies  were  the  most  numer- 
ous and  successful  workers  in  providing  means  for  the 
Commission.  In  May,  1864,  it  was  proposed  to  bring 
out  into  greater  prominence  the  agency  of  the  loyal 
women  of  the  country,  as  connected  with  this  Christian 
work.  This  was  thought  to  be  due  to  the  women  them- 
selves, in  recognition  of  their  activity,  and  it  was  believed 
that  it  would  also  greatly  increase  the  Commission's  re- 
sources. A  movement  was  therefore  begun  in  Philadel- 
phia, designed  to  be  national,  looking  to  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Ladies'  Christian  Commission  in  every  com- 
munity throughout  the  loyal  States.  These  Commis- 
sions were  to  be  organized,  either  by  establishing  one  in 
each  church,  or  by  forming  a  union  society  for  all  the 
churches  in  the  same  neighborhood,  as  might  seem  most 
desirable  in  the  several  localities.  It  was  supposed  that 


AUXILIARIES. — LADIES'  COMMISSIONS.          357 

the  smaller  towns  and  villages  might  prefer  union  socie- 
ties, one  for  each  place,  while  the  cities  would  find  it 
more  convenient  to  organize  in  each  congregation,  with 
perhaps  a  central  board  for  mutual  conference  and  assist- 
ance. The  Ladies'  Commissions  were  to  be  directly 
auxiliary  to  the  General  Commission,  either  through  the 
Central .  Office  or  the  nearest  Branch.  Membership  in 
the  ladies'  societies  was  to  be  either  associate  or  active. 
Associate  membership  might  include  all  of  either  sex 
and  every  age  who  should  pay  into  the  treasury  one 
dollar  annually ;  active  membership  would  include  the 
ladies  who  gave  also  of  their  time  and  service  in  collect- 
ing and  preparing  clothing  and  stores  for  the  soldiers. 
In  some  cases  honorary  and  life  memberships  were  added. 
The  fees  for  membership  were  to  be  paid  entire  into  the 
treasury  of  the  Commission,  and  to  be  called  the  "  Mem- 
bership Fund  of  the  Ladies'  Christian  Commission." 
Whatever  sum  might  be  requisite  for  the  purchase  of 
materials  and  other  expenses  was  to  be  raised  in  addi- 
tion to  the  membership  fees.  If  these  second  collections 
should  be  more  than  sufficient  for  the  current  expendi- 
tures, they  were  to  be  passed  into  the  treasury  as  a  "  Do- 
nation Fund."  Such  was  the  plan.  Eev.  R.  J.  Parvin, 
of  Philadelphia,  became  Chairman  of  this  department 
of  the  general  work,  and  Mrs.  W.  G.  Crowell,  Secretary, 
under  the  direction  of  a  special  committee  from  the 
Central  Executive  Committee.  Some  time  was  neces- 
sarily consumed  in  maturing  the  organization,  and  in 
a  few  months  it  was  happily  rendered  unnecessary  by 
the  close  of  the  war.  What  was  actually  accomplished 
may  be  seen  in  the  following 


358  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


REPOET  OF  THE  NATIONAL  COMMITTEE  ON  LADIES'  CHRIS- 
TIAN COMMISSIONS. 

It  was  not  until  the  third  year  of  the  war  that  the  idea  of  forming 
Ladies'  Christian  Commissions  was  carried  out,  so  as  to  assume  a 
tangible  form  or  produce  any  practical  results.  Much  time  was 
necessarily  consumed  in  inaugurating  a  movement  which  was  to  em- 
brace in  its  operations  all  the  loyal  territory  of  the  country,  and 
consequently  the  work  was  arrested  almost  in  its  infancy  by  the 
glorious  advent  of  Peace.  Much  good,  however,  was  done  through 
the  instrumentality  of  this  minor  agency,  even  during  its  short  life. 

There  were,  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of  Ladies'  Christian 
Commissions,  very  many  societies  formed  among  the  loyal  women  of 
the  land,  intended  to  accomplish  objects  altogether  in  harmony  with 
the  work  of  the  parent  society,  the  results  of  which  were  seen  and  felt 
on  many  battle-fields  from  the  commencement  of  the  rebellion.  The 
majority  of  these  subsequently  assumed  the  name  of  Ladies'  Chris- 
tian Commissions,  and  continued  their  labors  as  such.  It  has  not 
been  possible  to  secure  a  complete  record  of  each  one  of  these  organi- 
zations, and  from  many  others  of  such  societies,  sending  money  and 
goods  to  the  parent  society,  we  have  received  no  official  records  what- 
ever ;  but  enough  is  known  of  their  efficiency,  during  the  short  period 
of  their  labors,  to  make  it  certain  that  they  would  have  proved  valu- 
able auxiliaries  in  administering  substantial  aid  and  comfort  to  the 
soldier. 

A  record,  embracing  the  name  of  the  society,  the  date  of  its  organi- 
zation, a  list  of  its  officers,  and  the  amount  of  either  money  or  goods 
contributed  to  the  parent  society,  has  been  received  from  two  hundred 
and  sixty-six  of  these  auxiliaries.  About  eighty  of  these  were  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  representing  churches  of  all  the  evangelical 
denominations.  These  contributed  during  the  year,  in  money,  some 
fifteen  thousand  dollars.  The  whole  number  whose  records  appear 
on  our  books  (266)  were  located  in  seventeen  different  States  of  the 
Union,  and  the  aggregate  of  their  receipts,  as  reported  to  the  Com- 
mission, amounted  to  nearly  two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  These 
figures  can  by  no  means  convey  an  adequate  idea  of  the  amount  of 
self-denying  labor  performed  by  these  societies,  or  the  results  of  such 
labor.  They  cannot  be  estimated.  Neither  are  they  complete  as 


AUXILIARIES. — LADIES'  COMMISSIONS.  359 

regards  the  amount  contributed,  for  the  reason  that  a  very  large 
amount  of  stores  and  boxes  of  clothing,  prepared  by  ladies'  societies, 
were  forwarded  to  the  Commission,  whose  valuation  could  not  be 
obtained.  This  is  particularly  true  in  regard  to  country  localities, 
especially  in  the  West  and  North,  where  stores  could  be  much  more 
easily  obtained  than  money,  and  the  figures  in  such  cases  are  not  just 
criterions  of  the  loyalty  or  liberality  of  such  neighborhoods. 

Rev.  W.  E.  Boardman  (former  Secretary  of  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission)  rendered  efficient  service  in  the  organization 
and  early  history  of  our  Ladies'  Christian  Commissions.  Rev.  Geo. 
J.  Mingins  was  associated  with  this  movement  on  the  Pacific  coast. 
And  the  ladies  of  California  and  Oregon,  though  so  far  removed  from 
the  fields  of  deadly  conflict,  were  behind  none  in  their  labors  and 
gifts  for  the  soldiers'  comfort. 

The  Lord  has  brought  our  work,  as  a  Commission,  for  the  welfare 
of  soldiers  and  sailors,  to  an  end.  For  whatever  of  good  has  been 
accomplished  to  His  name  be  all  the  praise. 

ROBERT  J.  PARVIN,  Chairman. 

MRS.  W.  G.  CROWELL,  Secretary. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

WORK    IN   THE  ARMY   OF  THE    POTOMAC.1 
[YEAK   1862.] 

THE  first  deputation  of  regularly  commissioned  Dele- 
gates of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  left  the 
Central  Office,  at  Philadelphia,  for  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  on  the  14th  of  May,  1862.  They  reported  to 
the  Medical  Director  at  Fortress  Monroe  the  following 
day,  and  were  by  him  assigned  to  duty, — three  of  the 
seven  on  board  a  hospital  transport,  the  others  in  the 
hospitals  at  Hampton.  From  this  date  there  was  no  day, 
until  the  final  disbandment  of  the  armies,  in  1865,  when 
the  Commission  was  without  representatives  in  the  hos- 
pitals and  camps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

In  describing  the  operations  of  the  Commission  during 
these  eventful  years,  it  is  manifestly  impossible  to  detail 
the  experiences  and  labors  of  each  Delegate,  and  yet  by 
this  course  alone  could  the  work  be  seen  in  all  its  magni- 
tude and  importance.  Something  of  its  extent  and  value 
may  be  learned,  however,  from  a  sketch  of  the  organiza- 
tion as  it  was  maintained  from  year  to  year,  the  constant 
object  of  which  was  to  give  the  widest  possible  scope  to 
the  influence  of  the  individual  Delegate.  The  general 

1  This  chapter  was  prepared  by  Mr.  John  A.  Cole,  General  Field  Agent  of 
the  Commission  in  the  Armies  operating  against  Kichmond. 
360 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1862.  361 

character  of  the  service  rendered  by  Delegates  remained 
the  same  throughout  the  war,  the  work  performed  by 
the  last  delegations  differing  in  no  essential  respect  from 
that  of  the  first,  except  as  they  had  increased  facilities 
and  the  results  of  past  experience'. 

During  the  year  1862  no  permanent  field  organization 
was  attempted  by  the  Commission.  The  Delegates, 
many  of  whom  enlisted  for  only  one,  two,  or  three  weeks' 
service,  were  left,  after  receiving  general  instructions  at 
the  Central  Office,  entirely  to  their  own  discretion  in 
determining  the  place  and  character  of  their  labors. 
Passes,  with  free  transportation  within  army  lines,  were 
usually  granted  to  Delegates  upon  the  presentation  of 
their  credentials,  though  delays  would  sometimes  occur, 
particularly  when  a  battle  was  pending.  The  boxes  of 
stores  with  which  they  were  at  first  provided  contained 
an  assortment  of  clothing,  preserves,  wines,  crackers, 
bandages,  and  rags,  all  packed  together  just  as  they  came 
from  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Societies  of  the  North.  Old 
magazines,  files  of  religious  papers,  and  a  few  packages 
of  tracts  and  Testaments,  made  up  their  stock  of  reading- 
matter. 

Soon  after  the  first  Delegates  had  begun  their  work 
in  the  hospitals  at  Hampton  others  came  to  their  assist- 
ance. A  few  went  forward  to  Yorktown,  where  they 
found  abundant  need  of  their  labors.  Here  they  ob- 
tained the  use  of  a  Government  tent,  and,  employing  a 
"contraband"  for  cook,  established  themselves  in  what 
may  properly  be  considered  as  the  first  "Station"  of  the 
Commission.  Another  delegation  went  to  White  House 
and  to  Savage's  Station,  going  thence  to  Harrison's  Land- 
ing, when  the  army  crossed  the  Peninsula,  where  they 

46 


362  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

worked  night  and  day  among  the  thousands  of  wounded 
and  exhausted  men.  Forty-six  Delegates  in  all  labored 
among  the  soldiers  during  the  campaign  on  the  Penin- 
sula,— some  of  them  remaining  in  the  field  but  a  few 
days,  others  working  for  months  or  until  its  close.  The 
work  accomplished  by  these  early  Delegates,  although 
by  no  means  so  extensive  as  that  subsequently  done,  was 
very  valuable.  Perhaps  never  during  the  war  was  there 
greater  need  of  Christian  ministrations  than  on  this 
disastrous  campaign  in  the  poisonous  swamps  of  the 
Chickahominy. 

Profiting  by  the  experience  gained,  careful  prepara- 
tions were  made  at  the  Central  Office  in  anticipation  of 
coming  battles;  books  were  opened  for  the  enrolment  of 
"  minute  men  ;"  trunks  were  packed  with  assorted  battle- 
field stores ;  companies  were  organized,  with  experienced 
captains  in  charge  of  each  ;  food,  clothing,  and  stimulants 
were  purchased  and  prepared  for  instant  transmission 
whenever  the  order  should  come.  Upon  the  first  inti- 
mation of  the  battle  of  South  Mountain  the  minute  men 
started.  Clergymen,  lawyers,  physicians,  merchants, 
mechanics  promptly  responded  to  the  call.  Some,  pass- 
ing forward  rapidly,  were  on  the  field  during  the  battle 
of  Antietam.  Others  arrived  the  following  night  and 
day,  with  wagon-loads  of  stores.  In  a  few  days  nearly 
seventy  Delegates  were  on  the  ground,  engaged  in  their 
work  of  mercy.  Scattered  over  the  field,  among  the  ten 
thousand  wounded  men  who  lay  in  their  bloody  garments, 
in  barns  and  sheds,  in  door-yards  and  open  fields,  with- 
out beds  or  shelter,  faint  and  exhausted  from  hunger, 
thirst,  and  pain,  without  food  or  care,  the  Delegates  were 
able  to  give  them  precious  relief.  At  night  they  watched 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1862."  363 

with  the  wounded  while  the  worn-out  surgeons  slept, 
passing  with  careful  step  from  one  to  another  in  answer 
to  their  calls,  tenderly  lifting  the  helpless,  bathing 
wounds,  loosing  bandages,  kneeling  in  prayer  by  the 
side  of  the  dying,  or  taking  their  last  message  for  the 
friends  at  home.  By  day  they  prepared  soup  and 
drink,  built  booths  of  rails  and  bushes  to  shelter  the 
men  from  the  burning  sun,  and  helped  in  a  thousand 
ways  when  all  help  was  needed.  When  the  wounded 
had  been  removed  to  permanent  hospitals,  and  the  medi- 
cal department  had  thoroughly  organized  its  force,  the 
necessity  for  these  labors  ceased  and  the  work  of  the 
minute  men  was  done.  There  were,  however,  several 
hundred  men  so  severely  wounded  that  they  could  not 
safely  be  moved  for  several  months.  With  these  one 
Delegate,  Rev.  I.  O.  Sloan,  remained  until  all  had  passed 
away, — some  with  recovered  health,  others  to  their  last 
resting-place  in  a  soldier's  grave. 

A  few  Delegates  visited  the  army  while  it  remained 
near  Harper's  Ferry,  and  distributed  Testaments  and 
held  religious  services  in  the  camps.  After  the  battle 
of  Fredericksburg,  in  December,  a  large  party  of 
minute  men  went  to  the  front,  under  the  direction 
of  Rev.  Alexander  Reed.  They  established  a  station 
at  Falmouth,  near  the  terminus  of  the  railroad,  and 
another  at  Acquia  Creek,  so  that  the  Delegates,  in  addi- 
tion to  their  usual  work,  were  able  to  distribute  food 
among  the  wounded,  as  they  were  brought  from  the  field 
hospitals  to  be  loaded  upon  cars,  and  as  they  were  trans- 
ferred from  the  cars  to  the  boats. 

In  the  mean  time  the  permanent  hospitals  at  Baltimore, 
Washington,  Frederick,  and  Cumberland  had  been  visited 


364  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

by  Rev.  W.  E.  Boardman,  and  arrangements  made  for 
supplying  stores  and  reading  to  each.  Delegates  were  also 
sent  to  Camp  Convalescent,  near  Alexandria,  and  to  Camp 
Parole,  at  Annapolis.  At  each  of  these  there  were  con- 
stantly from  five  to  twenty  thousand  soldiers,  waiting  in 
crowded  tents  for  an  order  to  join  their  regiments.  In 
the  former  camp  a  station  was  established  early  in 
November,  which  was  from  the  first  a  place  of  great 
interest ;  religious  meetings  were  held  each  day,  and  the 
sick  were  visited  at  their  tents ;  many  tons  of  vegetables 
and  other  stores  were  distributed,  together  with  large 
quantities  of  reading-matter,  which  did  very  much  to 
relieve  the  wretchedness  of  a  place  known  by  its  inmates 
as  "  Camp  Misery." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  and  reports  will 
give  more  clearly  than  can  be  shown  in  any  other  way 
the  nature  of  the  work  done  by  the  Delegates  during 
this  year.  Rev.  Mr.  Sloan,  in  a  report  of  the  work  per- 
formed by  the  Delegates  on  the  Peninsula,  says :  — 

Those  who  have  labored  in  this  noble  cause  have  found  that  far 
more  is  to  be  done  than  talking,  distributing  publications,  and  pray- 
ing. They  have  had  to  nurse,  dress  wounds,  strip  off  filthy  garments, 
wash  from  helpless  soldiers  the  blood  and  dust  of  hard  fights  and 
hard  marches  ;  cleanse  them  of  vermin,  and  put  upon  them  clean  and 
comfortable  clothing ;  dig  graves  for  the  dead  ;  lift  and  open  boxes  ; 
make  wearisome  visits  on  foot ;  sleep  on  the  ground,  or  floor,  or  bags, 
or  boxes,  and  often  work  from  daylight  until  midnight,  or  all  night 
long,  with  little  to  eat  except  dry  bread  or  crackers,  and  meat  with- 
out cooking. 

Again  he  says  :  — 

We  found  many  sinking  with  fever  and  other  diseases,  unable  to 
help  themselves,  with  few  to  help  them,  in  a  most  wretched  condi- 
tion ;  clothes  not  changed,  face  and  hands  not  washed  for  days.  We 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1862.  365 

spent  days,  basin,  soap,  and  towel  in  hand,  going  from  man  to  man 
to  wash  them  and  change  their  clothes.  In  all  this  work,  everywhere, 
we  distributed  our  stores  with  our  own  hands  directly  to  the  soldiers ; 
gave  them  religious  reading-matter,  and  had  precious  opportunities 
to  whisper  in  their  ears  words  of  salvation,  and  breathe  prayers  for 
God's  blessing,  and  guide  the  dying  to  Jesus,  and  often  to  address 
the  groups,  larger  or  smaller,  as  we  found  them  collected  together. 

Mr.  Sloan  writes  at  another  time : — 

You  can  have  no  conception  of  the  amount  of  relief  afforded  by 
the  contents  of  the  boxes  sent  to  us.  The  soldiers,  too,  feel  that  they 
are  not  forgotten  ;  that  those  at  home  are  thinking  about  them  and 
anxious  to  relieve  them.  Many  a  poor  sinking  man  has  been  raised 
up,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  by  the  nourishing  food  and  delica- 
cies which  we  have  been  enabled  to  give  him.  About  four  days 
since  we  visited  some  tents  where  two  hundred  sick  were  gathered, 
in  the  edge  of  a  pine  woods.  We  found  two  men  very  sick  from 
typhoid  fever,  in  a  small  tent  by  themselves.  One  was  delirious,  and 
both  seemed  not  far  from  death.  They  were  lying  upon  the  ground, 
with  nothing  but  their  overcoats  under  them.  We  washed  them  and 
put  on  clean  clothes,  furnished  by  our  friends  at  the  North,  and  gave 
them  some  nourishing  food.  To-day  I  was  greatly  surprised  to  find 
them  much  improved,  and  the  surgeon  said  they  would  both  recover. 
This  is  only  one  instance  out  of  many  of  the  same  kind. 

Kev.  Geo.  Bringhurst  writes  to  Mr.  Stuart  from  York- 
town,  on  June  20,  in  giving  a  report  of  one  of  the 
earliest  deputations :  — 

My  pressing  engagements  among  these  crushed  and  sorrowing 
hearts  warn  me  to  be  brief  in  advising  you  of  the  wants  and  move- 
ments of  the  deputation,  a  committee  of  which  is  doing  good  service 
at  this  place.  On  Tuesday  evening  five  hundred  sick  and  wounded 
men  were  brought  here  from  the  White  House,  many  of  whom  had 
not  washed  for  over  one  week,  for  want  of  opportunity.  These, 
added  to  the  number  already  here,  render  the  work  immense.  Mr. 
Sloan  is  at  Savage  Station,  where  his  services  cannot  be  dispensed 
with  at  present.  Mr.  Ogden  has  toiled  faithfully,  and  is  etill  using 


366  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

every  effort  to  make  all  comfortable  and  happy.  The  soldiers  declare 
that  had  it  not  been  for  the  aid  of  the  deputation  many  more  of 
them  must  have  died.  Messrs.  Mingins,  Wright,  and  Smith  are  here; 
but,  my  dear  brother,  this  force  is  nothing  when  so  much  is  to  be 
done.  I  have  attended  three  funerals  during  the  last  eighteen 
hours,  and  expect  to  attend  several  this  afternoon.  Send  us  good 
working  men,  —  men  who  can  attend  to  the  body  as  well  as  the  soul, 
men  who  are  willing  to  nurse  as  well  as  to  preach. 

Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  in  a  letter  from  the  same  place, 

says : — 

As  we  entered  a  tent,  we  were  much  struck  with  the  appearance 
of  a  man  evidently  fast  passing  away.  He  was  fine-looking,  dark 
hair,  full,  intellectual  face,  lustrous  eyes.  He  had  no  bed  but  straw 
on  the  bare  ground.  His  blanket  was  filthy  ;  his  under-clothing  full 
of  vermin.  We  washed  him  ;  changed  his  clothing  ;  made  a  cot  for 
him  ;  placed  him  on  it ;  gave  him  nourishing  food  ;  spoke  to  him  of 
home,  of  mother,  of  Jesus.  Slowly  turning,  he  took  my  hand;  drew 
it  to  his  face;  tried  to  thank  me;  could  not.  What  then?  Tears 
fell  upon  the  hand  he  held.  His  gratitude  was  made  more  manifest 
than  words  could  tell. 

Mr.  Bringhurst  writes  from  the  same  place :  — 

After  a  prayer-meeting  in  Yorktown,  in  the  month  of  July,  as  I 
was  returning  to  my  quarters,  my  attention  was  arrested  by  footsteps 
behind  me.  Turning,  I  met  the  gaze  of  a  young  soldier  belonging 
to  a  regiment  called  the  "  Lost  Children."  "  0,  sir,"  said  he.  "won't 
you  please  tell  me  how  I  can  be  a  Christian?  I  was  at  prayer- 
meeting  to-night,  and  felt  as  though  I  could  talk  with  you."  "What 
made  you  think  of  being  a  Christian  ?"  I  asked.  "  Why,  sir,  when 
I  was  on  guard  1  was  thinking  of  a  beautiful  hymn  I  had  read  in 
ray  Soldiers'  Hymn  Book,  beginning,  '  Rock  of  ages,  cleft  for  me,' 
and  I  wondered  if  I  could  not  be  built  upon  that  Rock."  "  Cer- 
tainly you  can,"  I  replied  ;  "  shall  we  pray  together?"  Then  on  the 
dusty  roadside,  beneath  the  stars,  a  prayer  went  up  to  God  which 
sent  the  weary  soldier-boy  to  his  duties  with  a  light  and  happy 
heart.  I  afterwards  fell  in  with  him,  and  found  him  resting  on 
the  Rock. 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1862.  367 

The  following  extract  from  a  report  of  Rev.  I.  O. 
Sloan,  who  went  in  charge  of  one  company  of  "  minute 
men,"  may  be  taken  as  fairly  illustrating  the  work  done 
by  each  company  :  — 

We  left  Washington  two  days  before  the  battle  of  Antietam.  We 
succeeded  in  getting  two  ambulances,  which  we  loaded  with  stores 
from  the  Christian  Commission  rooms  in  Washington.  We  arrived 
in  Middletown  early  on  the  morning  of  the  17th  Sept.  Here  we 
found  wounded  men  coming  in  from  the  battle-field,  for  the  battle 
had  commenced  at  daylight  or  even  before  that  time, — some  with 
fingers  shot  off,  arms  broken,  wounded  in  the  head,  covered  with 
blood,  presenting  a  terrible  picture  of  the  slaughter  that  was  going 
on.  The  little  church  on  the  main  street  was  already  filled  with  our 
wounded,  as  also  some  of  the  houses  opposite.  We  stayed  here  long 
enough  to  give  out  some  of  our  stores,  for  we  found  them  entirely 
destitute  of  lint,  bandages,  stimulants,  and  indeed  almost  everything 
suitable  for  the  comfort  and  relief  of  the  suffering.  It  appears  that 
the  Christian  Commission  were  the  first  that  had  stores  on  the  road 
to  the  scene  of  action,  and  very  gratefully  were  our  two  ambulance 
loads  received  by  the  surgeons  and  the  men.  As  we  hurried  along 
to  where  the  two  armies  were  engaged,  we  frequently  had  to  stop 
and  give  of  our  supplies  to  the  wounded  whom  we  met  in  ambu- 
lances, and  who  lined  the  road,  hobbling  along  as  best  they  could,  to 
find  some  temporary  hospital.  At  Keedysville,  about  two  miles 
from  the  battle-field,  several  houses  were  filled  with  wounded.  AVe 
halted  at  the  last  one  as  we  passed  through  the  town.  This  was 
used  as  a  hospital  for  the  men  of  Sedgwick's  Division.  Every  room 
in  the  house  was  filled  with  wounded,  and  every  spot  almost  in  the 
yard.  The  hospital  was  in  charge  of  Dr.  Huston,  a  good  man,  who 
was  trying  to  do  all  he  could  for  the  relief  of  his  patients,  but  they 
had  as  yet  received  no  stores,  and  were  entirely  without  anything  to 
eat.  We  gave  them  what  we  could  spare.  Some  Delegates  of  our 
party  remained  here  all  day,  dressing  wounds,  giving  nourishment, 
and  arranging  for  the  comfort  of  the  patients.  I  am  sure  every  one 
here  felt  the  importance  of  our  Commission.  Indeed,  we  do  not  see 
what  they  would  have  done  if  it  had  not  been  for  the  supplies  we 
had  with  us.  All  day  they  were  still  bringing  in  wounded  to  thin 


368  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

place, — many  among  them  seriously  wounded,  with  no  hopes  of 
recovery.  From  the  hills  a  little  beyond  here  the  terrible  conflict 
was  plainly  visible,  but  we  had  not  much  time  to  witness  the  progress 
of  the  battle,  all  our  time  being  taken  up  in  attending  to  the  wounded 
and  in  bringing  them  to  the  hospital.  Nearly  every  farm-house  and 
barn  in  all  that  region  was  made  a  hospital.  The  names  of  some, 
such  as  White  House  Hospital,  Hoffman's  Farm,  Stone  House,  and 
others,  will  ever  be  familiar  in  connection  with  the  battle.  We 
visited  all  these  and  left  some  supplies.  Several  members  of  the 
Christian  Commission,  who  had  come  by  other  routes,  we  found  at 
each  hospital,  doing  great  good.  They,  as  well  as  ourselves,  had  a 
good  supply  of  stores.  At  the  White  House  Hospital  there  were 
probably  two  thousand  wounded  brought  in.  A  large  number  of 
these  were  of  the  Southern  army.  At  the  Hoffman  Hospital  there 
were  at  least  fifteen  hundred,  and  at  the  Stone  House  as  many  if  not 
more.  On  Sunday  succeeding  the  battle  we  established  ourselves 
permanently  at  the  Hoffman  House,  thinking  it  better  to  concentrate 
our  energies  upon  one  point.  In  every  spot  here, — the  barn,  the 
stable,  carriage-house,  sheds,  straw  stacks,  orchards,  and  indeed  every- 
where,—  were  to  be  seen  wounded  and  dying  men.  For  the  first  few 
days,  of  course,  all  was  bustle  and  confusion.  Nothing  scarcely 
could  be  thought  of  but  affording  relief  to  the  sufferers.  Prayer 
only  could  be  made  at  the  side  of  one  drawing  near  to  his  end,  or 
words  of  Scripture  whispered  into  the  ear  of  the  moaning  patient  as 
we  dressed  his  wound  or  gave  him  nourishment.  We  had  scarcely  a 
moment  for  sleep.  Many  incidents  of  thrilling  interest  occurred 
here.  A  great  proportion  of  the  sufferers  were  youths,  ranging  from 
sixteen  up  to  twenty-one  years.  After  a  few  days,  when  matters 
were  somewhat  systematized,  we  had  religious  services  every  even- 
ing,— in  the  barn,  in  the  dwelling-house,  carriage-house,  and  wherever 
there  was  a  large  number  collected. 

Rev.  Geo.  B.  Buzzell  gives  the  following  description 
of  the  station  at  Falinouth : — 

Our  camp  at  Falmouth  Station  will  never  be  forgotten  by  the 
Delegates,  who  were  at  work  there  after  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg.  Just  south  of  us  was  the  river, — only  a  few  rods, — and  on 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  369 

the  heights  beyond  we  could  see  the  rebel  camp-fires  by  night  and 
the  spires  of  Fredericksburg  by  day,  and  being  close  to  the  railroad  we 
were  of  course  in  the  midst  of  the  confusion  and  noise  of  the  trans- 
portation of  men  and  supplies.  But  being  there  we  were  in  the 
midst  of  our  work.  The  wounded,  brought  for  transportation  to 
Acquia  Creek  and  Washington,  were  sometimes  kept  waiting  for 
hours  in  the  ambulances,  or  laid  on  the  open  platform  on  the 
ground,  close  by  our  camp-fire,  which  was  seldom  without  its  row  of 
smoking  kettles.  To  feed  the  hungry,  worn-out  men,  to  refresh  and 
cheer  them,  and  talk  to  them  of  Jesus  Christ,  when  our  words  seemed 
to  strike  the  same  subject  with  which  their  own  thoughts  were  busy, — 
this  was  a  work  to  thank  God  for.  The  value  of  the  work  done  by 
our  men  there  is  beyond  computation. 

[YEAK    1863.] 

In  preparing  for  the  labors  of  another  year  the  Com- 
mission made  several  important  changes  in  the  method 
of  conducting  its  field  work.  The  rapidly  increasing 
number  of  Delegates  who  now  offered  their  services,  and 
the  corresponding  increase  of  stores  that  poured  in  to 
the  Central  Office  from  every  direction,  necessitated  a 
more  thorough  organization  than  that  which  had  hitherto 
proved  sufficient.  It  was  therefore  decided  to  employ  a 
limited  number  of  permanent  agents,  who  should  remain 
constantly  with  the  army  and  personally  superintend  the 
work  of  the  Commission  in  all  parts  of  the  field.  The 
term  of  service  for  which  Delegates  were  received  was 
also  extended,  all  Delegates  being  required  to  pledge 
themselves  "  to  take  the  position  to  which  they  should 
be  assigned  by  the  agent  of  the  Commission,  and  to  con- 
tinue in  the  work  not  less  than  six  weeks."  Extensive 
arrangements  for  securing  a  full  assortment  of  religious 
reading  for  distribution  among  the  men  in  camp  were 
also  made.  The  supply  now  provided  comprised  Testa- 


370  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

ments  and  portions  of  the  Scriptures,  soldiers'  hymn 
and  tune  books,  knapsack  books, — of  many  kinds, 
with  flexible  covers, — weekly  religious  papers  from  all 
parts  of  the  country,  and  the  monthly  papers  published 
by  the  Tract  Societies. 

Mr.  John  A.  Cole,  who  had  already  served  as  a  Dele- 
gate for  nearly  six  months,  was  appointed  General  Field 
Agent  of  a  district  comprising  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
and  the  hospitals  and  camps  of  Washington,  Maryland, 
and  Western  Virginia.  Messrs.  T.  R.  Ewing  and  J.  R. 
Miller,  who  entered  the  service  of  the  Commission  as 
Delegates,  in  March,  were  retained  as  Field  Agents  upon 
the  expiration  of  their  terms.  Mr.  Ewing  was  obliged 
to  leave  the  field  in  July.  Mr.  Miller  remained  until 
October,  when  he  was  appointed  General  Field  Agent 
in  the  Department  of  the  Ohio, — Mr.  Chas.  W.  Jenkins 
taking  his  place  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Messrs. 
F.  E.  Shearer,  E.  F.  Williams,  and  J.  R.  Miller,  assisted 
by  R.  G.  McCreary,  Esq.,  and  other  efficient  volunteers, 
directed  the  extensive  operations  of  the  Commission  at 
Gettysburg  during  the  months  of  July  and  August. 
Rev.  B.  F.  Hamilton  was  permanently  employed  as 
agent  at  Camp  Parole,  Annapolis,  where  there  were  from 
15,000.  to  20,000  paroled  prisoners  constantly  encamped. 

In  the  work  of  this  year  the  agents  of  the  Commission 
everywhere  received  the  kindest  consideration  from 
army  officers,  and  were  aided  by  them  materially  in 
many  ways.  Passes  were  given  by  the  Provost  Marshal 
General  to  all  registered  Delegates,  admitting  them  to 
every  part  of  the  army  and  securing  free  transportation 
upon  government  trains  and  boats.  Besides  this  great 
advantage,  the  agents  were  permitted  the  free  use  of  the 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  371 

military  telegraph  lines,  and  the  right  to  purchase  sup- 
plies for  their  stations,  of  any  brigade  commissary,  at 
officers'  prices.  Post  and  depot  quartermasters  also 
were  authorized  to  aid  the  Commission  by  furnishing 
buildings,  tents,  wagons,  ambulances,  etc.,  for  its  use, 
whenever  this  could  be  done  without  detriment  to  the 
public  service.  • 

With  these  advantages  the  agents  were  able  to  estab- 
lish and  maintain  stations  in  every  part  of  the  army,  so 
long  as  it  was  encamped  in  winter  quarters.  When  the 
active  campaign  opened,  however,  it  was  found  that  these 
facilities  could  no  longer  be  depended  upon  to  that  extent 
which  was  essential  to  an  efficient  prosecution  of  the 
work.  It  became  necessary,  therefore,  to  purchase 
wagons,  horses,  and  tents,  so  that,  whatever  the  exigen- 
cies of  the  public  service  might  be,  the  Commission  could 
at  all  times  keep  its  corps  of  Delegates  at  the  points 
where  their  services  were  most  required,  and  supply 
them  promptly  with  all  needed  stores.  The  first  four- 
horse  wagon  was  purchased  in  July,  and,  after  a  narrow 
escape  from  Mosby's  guerrillas,  reached  the  army,  then 
encamped  near  Warrenton.  It  proved  so  useful  that 
another  was  added  in  November,  as  there  were  indica- 
tions of  a  winter  campaign.  In  August  two  large  chapel 
tents  were  purchased  and  used  at  the  front.  They  were 
pitched  near  large  bodies  of  troops,  and  opened  for  reli- 
gious services  every  evening,  while  during  the  day  they 
were  the  centres  to  which  chaplains  and  soldiers  came 
from  all  parts  of  the  army,  for  packages  of  Testaments, 
hymn-books,  and  papers.  The  success  attending  the 
meetings  in  these  chapels  prepared  the  way  for  the 
winter's  work,  in  anticipation  of  which  twelve  expensive 


372  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  commodious  chapel  tents  were  procured  for  the 
permanent  stations. 

The  number  of  Delegates  in  the  field  varied  consider- 
ably during  the  year.  In  January  there  were  but  five 
or  six ;  in  February  the  average  number  in  the  field  was 
ten;  in  March,  twenty-five  ;  in  May,  thirty-five  ; — the 
average  continuing  at  about  this  number  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year.  In  addition  to  these  were  the 
special  battle-field  Delegates  and  minute  men,  who  usu- 
ally remained  in  the  work  but  two  or  three  weeks,  re- 
turning when  the  emergency  had  passed  for  which  they 
had  volunteered. 

The  amount  of  religious  reading  was  greatly  increased 
during  the  year.  For  the  month  of  September  the  dis- 
tribution at  the  front  and  in  the  Washington  hospitals 
amounted  to  75,200  religious  papers,  representing  twenty- 
two  different  publications,  6,900  hymn  books,  13,200 
knapsack  books,  and  63,000  pages  of  tracts.  This  was 
about  the  average  monthly  distribution  for  the  remainder 
of  the  year.  The  systematic  distribution  of  this  material 
was  one  of  the  most  important  features  of  the  year's 
work.  It  began,  most  happily,  with  the  attempt  to  fur- 
nish every  soldier  who  might  desire  it  with  a  copy  of 
the  New  Testament.  This,  the  first  combined  effort 
ever  attempted  by  the  Delegates,  resulted,  during  the 
months  of  March  and  April,  in  the  distribution  of  over 
35,000  copies  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  alone. 

Another  most  important  feature  was  the  evening 
prayer-meeting,  which  was,  in  accordance  with  the  set- 
tled policy  of  the  Commission,  held  at  every  station 
every  night  in  the  week.  These  meetings  were  a  source 
of  great  comfort  and  profit  to  the  soldiers,  who  in  winter 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  — 1863.  373 

and  summer  came,  some  of  them  from  distant  camps,  to 
these  tents  of  prayer.  Their  influence  was  often  felt  to 
a  remarkable  degree  through  entire  brigades  and  divi- 
sions, checking  profanity  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  ob- 
served by  all.  The  manner  of  conducting  these  meet- 
ings varied,  but  usually  a  short  address  by  one  of  the 
Delegates  preceded  the  hour  spent  in  exhortation  and 
prayer,  in  which  both  soldiers  and  Delegates  freely  en- 
gaged. The  hymns  loved  at  home  by  the  followers  of 
Jesus  were  precious  here,  and  their  notes  were  wafted 
nightly  over  the  camps  and  through  hospital  wards,  fill- 
ing many  a  troubled  heart  with  thoughts  of  home  and 
heaven. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  Report  of  the  Gene- 
ral Field  Agent  will  furnish  some  details  of  the  opera- 
tions of  the  Commission  during  the  year :  — 

The  month  of  January,  1863,  found  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  Rappahannock,  opposite  the  heights  of  Fred- 
ericksburg,  where,  but  a  few  days  before,  thousands  of  brave  men 
had  gone  down  in  battle.  The  warm,  pleasant  days  still  delayed 
the  order  for  "  winter-quarters,"  but  all  believed  the  active  campaign 
had  closed,  and  that  months  of  rest  must  intervene  before  the  conflict 
would  be  renewed. 

The  Christian  Commission  had  at  this  time  two  stations  ;  one  at 
the  shanty  village  of  Acquia,  the  other  at  the  railroad  terminus 
opposite  the  city  of  Fredericksburg.  The  first  consisted  of  a  rough 
board  barrack,  fifteen  feet  by  twenty,  its  front  door  opening  upon 
the  marsh  ;  the  other  a  tent,  fourteen  feet  by  fourteen ;  —  both  being 
assigned  to  us  by  the  quartermaster  of  the  post.  In  these  quarters, 
rude  and  limited  as  they  were,  a  work,  great  in  amount  and  variety, 
was  performed.  Here  the  Delegates  of  the  Commission  lived  ;  upon 
this  floor,  and  upon  the  three  stories  of  the  rude  scaffolding  that 
adorned  one  side  of  the  room,  slept  the  weary  workers  after  thnr 
day  of  toil,  and  with  them  as  many  belated  travellers  as  could  find 


374  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

a  resting-place.  Here,  upon  shelves  and  in  boxes,  were  the  supplies 
sent  for  the  needy,  from  East  and  North  and  West ;  here  a  pile  of 
Testaments,  there  a  box  of  hymn  books ;  in  this  corner  a  huge  stack 
of  religious  papers  and  tracts;  on  the  other  side,  shelves  filled  -with 
dried  fruits,  preserved  fruits,  domestic  wines;  and  in  these  boxes 
generous  piles  of  warm  shirts,  socks,  and  drawers.  On  a  shelf, 
seldom  reached,  were  bags  of  lint,  bandages  and  rags,  lanterns  and 
pails,  brandy  and  soup,  —  the  suggestive  equipment  for  the  battle- 
field. Here  in  the  day  was  a  constant  stream  of  chaplains,  and 
surgeons,  and  soldiers,  coming  for  the  weekly  supply  of  reading  for 
the  regiment,  some  hospital  luxuries  for  the  sick,  or  for  the  little 
"housewife,"  with  its  needles  and  thread  and  much-prized  letter; 
Delegates  coming  and  going,  taking  their  loads  in  arms  and  haver- 
sacks, as  they  go  to  distant  hospitals  and  camps,  bearing  the  word  of 
life  or  refreshment  for  frail  bodies.  Here  at  night,  the  boxes  placed 
in  rows,  the  table  set  on  one  side,  the  little  room  was  filled  with  a 
company  of  worshippers,  met  for  the  praise  of  God. 

The  work  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  the  army  was  one  of 
constant  change.  The  year,  indeed,  was  made  up  of  many  distinct 
campaigns,  the  one  differing  so  greatly  from  the  other  that,  although 
the  same  men  were  actors  in  each,  one  would  with  difficulty  identify 
them  as  the  same.  This  week  the  Delegates  may  be  distributing 
religious  papers  and  books,  preaching  the  Gospel  to  crowds  of 
healthy,  vigorous  men ;  the  next,  preparing  with  their  own  hands 
some  soothing  draught  or  nourishing  food  for  those  who  are  languish- 
ing with  disease  in  some  remote  hospital.  This  week  preparing 
reading-rooms  and  chapels,  feeding  the  mind  with  that  which  is 
wholesome  and  abiding,  inciting  to  temperance,  purity,  and  piety ; 
the  next,  with  coats  off,  before  a  fire  of  logs,  cooking "cofFee  and  soup 
for  the  hungry,  or  bearing  stimulants  and  nutriment  to  those  who 
are  perishing.  To-day,  living  quietly  in  "  winter  quarters ; "  to-mor- 
row, off  for  the  battle-field,  with  a  blanket  alone  for  house  and 
shelter. 

During  the  month  of  January,  at  the  stations  before  mentioned, 
the  Delegates  of  the  Commission  performed  a  twofold  work,  —  one 
party  with  a  wagon  visiting  camps  and  field  hospitals,  taking  both 
hospital  stores  and  religious  reading;  the  other  remaining  at  the 
station,  preparing  food  and  drink  for  the  hundreds  of  sick  who,  on 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1863.  375 

their  way  to  the  hospital,  were  detained  sometimes  many  hours  at 
the  railroad  station.  Before  the  close  of  the  month,  however,  a  new 
and  more  important  field  was  opened.  The  army  made  one  more 
attempt  to  gain  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg  before  resting  in 
winter  quarters.  Again  the  effort  failed.  Scarcely  had  the  long 
lines  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery  started  upon  their  rapid  night- 
march  when  a  terrible  storm  of  rain  and  sleet  arose,  breaking  up  the 
roads  and  making  all  advance  impossible.  Chilled  and  exhausted, 
floundering  through  the  mud  in  the  bitter  cold  wind  of  that  winter 
night,  the  soldiers  struggled  back  to  their  cheerless  camps,  but  thou- 
sands who  had  escaped  unharmed  from  a  score  of  battles  now  fell 
the  victims  of  this  memorable  "  mud  campaign."  A  field  hospital 
was  established  immediately  at  Windmill  Point,  a  few  miles  below 
Acquia  Creek.  It  was  a  city  of  tents,  laid  out  in  immense  diamond- 
shaped  enclosures,  on  a  level  plain  which  had  lately  been  a  cultivated 
field.  Streets  were  laid  out,  ditches  were  dug,  and  a  wharf  built, 
but  long  before  the  wards  were  ready  for  their  inmates  the  sick  began 
to  arrive  in  boats  and  in  ambulances  from  all  parts  of  the  army. 
The  rain  fell  almost  incessantly,  and  the  whole  camp  presented  a 
scene  wretched  in  the  extreme.  Thousands  of  pale,  weak,  disease- 
stricken  men  lay  for  days  in  the  fireless  tents,  on  the  muddy  floors, 
or  on  beds  of  poles  or  boughs,  suffering  from  cold  and  from  hunger. 
Many  died  daily,  and  the  mounds  of  sand  in  the  lone  "  God's  acre" 
told  a  sad  story  of  the  cruel  necessities  of  war.  To  this  scene  of 
distress  the  Delegates  came.  A  small  tent  served  as  their  storehouse 
and  quarters.  A  dispatch  to  Washington  and  Philadelphia  soon 
furnished  them  with  a  thousand  loaves  of  soft  bread,  and  boxes  of 
clothing,  cordials,  and  fruits.  These  they  distributed  throughout  the 
camp,  wherever  the  need  was  most  urgent.  They  passed  from  tent 
to  tent,  ministering  to  the  physical  wants  of  the  suffering,  and  direct- 
ing the  hearts  of  all  to  Jesus,  the  great  Physician  of  souls.  Often 
they  were  called  to  the  side  of  the  dying,  to  give  counsel  in  that  last 
trying  hour,  and  commit  the  departing  soul  to  God.  The  dead  were 
followed  to  the  grave  with  the  rites  of  Christian  burial,  and  the 
record  of  the  last  moments  and  of  the  place  of  interment  forwarded 
to  the  distant  home  friends.  After  the  work  of  the  day  the  Delegates 
would  go  from  tent  to  tent,  and  read  a  few  verses  of  Scripture  and 
offer  a  prayer  for  God's  blessing  upon  all.  The  effect  of  these 


376  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ministrations  was  very  manifest.  Many  who  seemed  near  to  death 
were  recovered  by  the  tender  nursing  and  nutritious  food.  As  the 
condition  of  the  hospital  improved,  the  Delegates  found  more  time 
to  devote  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  men.  An  empty  cookhouse 
was  obtained  for  a  chapel,  where  services  were  held  on  the  Sabbath, 
and  meetings  for  prayer  each  evening  of  the  week.  All  felt  the 
presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  At  one  meeting  fifty  persons  announced 
their  desire  and  determination  to  begin  a  Christian  life.  Many  who 
had  come  to  that  dreary  camp  a  few  weeks  before,  as  they  thought  to 
die,  found  life  instead,  even  life  eternal.  It  was  suddenly  decided  to 
break  up  this  camp,  sending  the  sick  to  regimental  hospitals,  and 
those  most  feeble  to  the  hospitals  at  Washington  and  Alexandria. 
It  was  quickly  done,  and  the  experiences  and  labors  at  Windmill 
Point  Hospital  were  for  ever  at  an  end. 

This  campaign  over,  vigorous  measures  were  taken  for  the  next. 
Acting  upon  the  experience  gained  at  Windmill  Point,  it  was 
resolved  to  undertake  to  supply  every  regiment  in  the  army  with 
copies  of  the  New  Testament.  To  do  this  more  stations  would  be 
required,  and  more  Delegates  and  stores  needed.  These  were  forth- 
coming, and  until  the  3d  of  May  stations  were  in  successful  opera- 
tion at  Acquia  Creek,  Belle  Plain,  White  Oak  Church,  Falmouth 
Station,  Falmouth  Village,  and  Stoneman's  Siding.  Although  this 
supply  of  Testaments  was  for  the  time  being  the  first  object  of  the 
stations,  it  Avas  far  from  being  their  principal  work.  Each  station 
was  complete  in  itself,  and  contained  from  three  to  seven  Delegates. 
Hospital  stores,  Testaments,  and  religious  reading  were  at  each,  and 
were  distributed  under  the  direction  of  committees  appointed  for  the 
purpose.  At  each,  where  practicable,  a  house  or  tent  for  religious 
worship  was  secured  and  meetings  held  every  evening,  while  on  the 
Sabbath  appointments  for  preaching  to  regiments  or  brigades  were 
filled  by  the  clerical  Delegates.  One  of  the  number,  usually  the 
oldest  Delegate,  acted  as  station  agent,  and  early  in  the  morning  the 
different  Delegates,  assigned  to  their  various  duties,  would  separate, — 
one  with  an  ambulance-load  of  quilts,  dried  fruit,  or  clothing,  for  a 
distant  hospital ;  another  making  the  round  of  the  regiments  to 
collect  and  fill  orders  for  Testaments ;  others  with  bundles  of  books 
and  papers,  distributing  among  destitute  companies.  So  the  busy 
day  was  filled,  until  at  evening  all  would  meet,  and,  with  the  sol- 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1863.  377 

diers  who  crowded  the  room  or  tent,  ask  God's  blessing  upon  the 
labors  of  the  day. 

Stoneman's  Station  was  the  scene  of  a  remarkable  revival.  The 
tents  used  as  a  chapel  formed  a  room  nearly  sixty  feet  long.  Meet- 
ings were  held  nightly,  and  to  them  officers  and  men  came  in  crowds. 
The  tents  stood  upon  an  elevation,  commanding  an  extended  view, 
and,  as  the  evening  hour  drew  near,  men,  singly  and  in  squads  and 
companies,  could  be  seen  wending  their  way  from  the  various  camps 
towards  the  house  of  prayer.  "  Mount  Zion,"  the  soldiers  called  it ; 
and,  like  Mount  Zion  of  old,  it  was  indeed  "beautiful"  when, 
crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity  and  throngs  about  the  open  doors, 
strains  of  some  familiar  home-loved  hymn  floated  out  upon  the 
evening  air.  Here  were  heard,  from  veterans  who  had  passed 
through  all  the  temptations  and  trials  of  a  soldier's  life,  testimonies 
of  the  strength  and  comfort  they  had  experienced  all  the  way  along 
from  the  religion  of  Jesus ;  here  soldiers  would  ask  what  they  should 
do  to  be  saved ;  and  here  many,  with  joy  beaming  on  the  counte- 
nance, would  tell  of  the  blessing  they  had  found  in  the  assurance  of 
sins  forgiven  through  the  blood  of  Christ.  The  number  of  men  who 
in  these  meetings  gained  a  knowledge  of  Jesus  no  earthly  record 
will  ever  show ;  but  we  know  that  there  were  scores  who  dated  the 
commencement  of  their  Christian  life  from  those  meetings  at  Stone- 
man's, and  hundreds,  many  of  whom  have  joined  the  company  of 
saints  in  heaven,  will  thank  God  through  eternity  for  His  spirit 
there  bestowed. 

Falmouth  Village  presented  a  most  interesting  field  for  our  station 
labor,  and  one,  too,  quite  different  from  that  at  Stoneman's.  The 
Commission  there  occupied  a  large  room  in  a  private  house,  the 
owner  being  away  on  business  connected  with  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy. An  old  tobacco  warehouse  on  the  very  banks  of  the  river, 
within  hail  of  the  rebel  pickets,  was  cleared  of  rubbish,  the  broken 
ceiling  and  windows  were  covered  with  old  canvas,  and  a  small  table, 
borrowed  from  a  neighboring  cottage,  served  for  a  pulpit.  Here,  on 
Sabbath  afternoons  and  on  each  evening  of  the  week,  meetings  were 
held  which  were  largely  attended,  and  here,  too,  the  preaching  of 
the  truth  was  made  salvation  to  many  erring  souls.  The  village 
itself  was  a  ruin  ;  its  church  used  as  a  barrack  for  troops ;  its  stores 
and  factories  closed.  A  large  number  of  the  inhabitants  were  still 

43 


378  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

there,  living  as  best  they  could, — old  men,  women,  and  children. 
The  station  agent,  among  other  labors,  organized  a  Sabbath  school 
for  the  children,  which  came  to  be  held  every  day  in  the  week.  Thirty 
or  forty  little  rebels  were  gathered  in,  who,  for  two  years  of  want 
and  war,  had  heard  nothing  of  school  or  church.  They  very  soon 
learned  to  recite  hymns  from  the  Soldiers'  Hymn-book  and  chapters 
from  the  Testament.  The  confidence  of  the  inhabitants  was  in  this 
way  secured,  and  by  the  distribution  of  Testaments  and  tracts  among 
them  it  is  believed  real  service  was  done  for  the  Master. 

Thus  the  months  of  March  and  April  passed  away,  our  work 
going  on  successfully  at  all  points,  there  being  none  to  molest  or 
make  afraid ;  and  yet,  as  the  spring  days  passed  and  the  roads 
became  hard  and  settled,  we  knew  that  our  time  was  short,  and  that 
what  we  would  do  must  be  done  quickly.  Reviews  of  cavalry  and 
infantry  came  in  quick  succession,  of  brigades,  divisions,  and  corps, 
before  Governors  of  States,  members  of  Congress,  and  at  last  before 
the  President  himself, — so  that  we  were  not  taken  by  surprise  when, 
one  May  morning,  we  looked  out  upon  the  old  camps,  to  find  that  in 
the  night  all  had  melted  away,  and  nought  but  crumbling  walls  and 
blackened  posts  remained.  It  was  a  thrilling  sight,  and  to  us  a  sad 
one,  as  the  long  lines  of  infantry,  with  colors  flying,  but  with  the 
sound  of  neither  fife  nor  drum,  marched  steadily  and  silently  away, — 
away  for  yet  another  stern  grapple  with  the  country's  foe. 

Nothing  more  remained  for  us  at  the  old  stations,  and  so,  with 
haste  and  many  regrets  that  work  so  precious  must  now  be  sealed  up 
forever,  we  rolled  up  our  tents,  removed  our  stores,  and  prepared  for 
our  next  campaign.  It  came  almost  before  we  were  ready  for  it. 
After  many  rumors  of  as  many  different  movements,  we  learned  that 
our  forces  had  crossed  the  Rappahannock,  and  a  battle  had  been 
fought  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  up  the  river.  A  detachment  of  our 
corps  of  Delegates  accompanied  the  army  in  connection  with  General 
Whipple's  Division,  and  were  under  fire  during  the  battle,  taking 
care  of  the  wounded.  A  council  of  the  Delegates  remaining  was 
called,  and  it  was  deemed  best  to  divide  the  force  into  two  parties, — 
one  to  go  directly  to  the  battle-field,  the  other  to  remain  at  Falmouth, 
where  it  was  expected  a  fierce  battle  would  be  fought.  The  plan 
was  soon  carried  out,  and  a  Government  wagon  was  loaded  with 
such  stores  as  previous  experience  had  shown  to  be  useful,  and 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1803.  379 

started  for  United  States  Ford.  Threading  their  way  through 
woods  and  fields  filled  with  wagons,  ambulances,  and  guns,  after 
a  journey  of  many  hours  the  ford  was  reached.  No  wagons  were 
allowed  beyond ;  so  the  load  was  taken  out,  a  place  for  camp 
selected,  and  the  wagon  sent  back  to  Falmouth.  There  was  no  lack 
of  work, — on  all  sides,  at  every  house  and  barn  and  shed,  in  gardens 
and  door-yards,  under  trees  and  the  shelter  of  walls,  lay  wounded 
and  bleeding  men.  With  soap  and  bandages  and  pails,  strong  arms 
and  willing  hearts,  the  services  of  these  Delegates  were  offered  to  the 
surgeons  in  charge  and  gladly  accepted,  and  from  that  time  they  were 
hard  at  work.  Their  supply  of  stimulants  and  food  was  soon  ex- 
hausted, but  was  reinforced  by  another  wagon-load  sent  from  Falmouth. 

The  party  left  behind  in  the  mean  time  were  not  idle.  The 
Second  and  Sixth  Corps,  storming  the  heights  of  Fredericksburg, 
carried  everything  before  them  in  victory.  The  "old  flag"  waved 
in  triumph  from  height  to  height ;  but  in  the  city  the  red  signals 
hanging  at  every  corner,  at  church-doors,  and  the  market-place, 
told  how  fearful  was  the  cost, — hospitals  on  every  side,  houses  filled 
with  the  prostrate  forms  of  dying  men,  who  but  an  hour  ago  rushed 
forward  to  the  charge.  But  why  tarry  here  ?  No  pen  can  describe 
such  scenes  or  record  such  labors.  The  history  of  Chancellorsville 
is  known  by  all;  its  gallant  achievements,  its  bitter  disappointment, 
its  herculean  labors,  and  its  fruitless  end.  It  is  enough  to  say  that 
the  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission  worked  amid  those  scenes 
as  any  other  fathers  or  brothers  would  have  toiled,  had  they  been 
permitted  to  be  there. 

Wearied  and  sad,  the  remnant  of  the  great  army  came  back  to 
the  old  camps.  The  old  walls  are  again  covered  and  echo  to  the 
sounds  of  life ;  but  how  many  whose  voices  one  week  before  were 
heard  in  the  cabins  and  the  streets  are  now  forever  silent  in  the 
soldier's  grave ! 

Field  hospitals  were  now  established,  or  rather  enlarged,  for  the 
tents  had  been  rising  for  two  or  three  weeks  before  the  battle,  in 
anticipation  of  it.  The  wounded  were  taken  as  quickly  as  might  be 
to  the  corps  hospitals.  These  hospitals  were  as  extensive  as  that  at 
Windmill  Point,  and  stretched  over  greater  territory.  Miles  in  some 
cases  intervened  between  the  corps,  and  it  was  found  that  several 
stations  or  centres  would  be  necessary  to  supply  them.  Here  again 


380  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

was  a  new  work  for  the  Delegates  of  the  Commission.  Three  main 
stations  were  located  in  close  proximity  to  the  hospitals,  and  were 
known  as  Potomac  Creek,  Howard,  and  Brook's  Stations. 

Acquia  Creek  was  still  our  base  for  supplies  ;  but  a  new  tent  was 
pitched  beyond  and  above  the  fever-breeding  marsh,  bringing  the 
Delegates  nearer  to  the  First  and  Twelfth  Corps  hospitals.  Although 
at  first  and  for  several  days  the  time  was  chiefly  taken  up  in  dressing 
wounds  and  helping  to  bathe  and  comfort  the  wounded,  a  system 
was  soon  arranged,  giving  a  certain  district  or  number  of  tents  to 
each  Delegate.  The  first  duty  was  to  search  out  those  who  needed 
special  articles  of  diet,  or  who  required  new  shirts,  drawers,  or  socks, 
supplying  the  wants  of  each  personally  as  they  were  found  from  day 
to  day.  Boxes  of  lemons,  jars  of  preserves,  and  an  abundant  variety 
of  "  good  things,"  put  up  by  friends  of  the  soldier  months  before, 
were  now  given  out  freely  by  the  hands  of  the  Delegates  themselves. 
The  stock  of  the  Commission  was  almost  exhausted  by  the  calls  made 
from  each  station  for  shirts  and  socks,  bandages  and  lint,  soap  and 
towels,  handkerchiefs  and  slings,  dried  fruits  and  preserves,  pickles 
and  lemons.  Almost  everything  that  the  kind  hearts  of  donors  had 
prompted  them  to  send  found  thankful  recipients  in  these  vast  field 
hospitals. 

To  divert  the  minds  of  the  convalescing  as  much  as  possible  from 
their  own  condition  libraries  were  sent  to  the  stations,  whose  books 
were  greatly  prized.  Funerals,  sometimes  eight  a  day,  were  attended 
by  the  Delegates,  and  as  a  crowd  of  soldiers  gathered  about  the 
grave  of  a  comrade  the  opportunity  was  not  lost  in  leading  their 
thoughts  to  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  when  all  should  meet  again. 
On  the  Sabbath  regular  religious  services  were  held,  some  in  the 
open  air,  some  in  booths  and  tents,  and  each  evening  at  the  station 
chapel  a  prayer-meeting  was  held,  often  crowded  to  its  utmost 
capacity. 

Among  the  interesting  features  of  this  campaign  was  the  number 
of  letters  written  for  wounded  men.  The  weekly  reports  show  that 
hundreds  of  letters  were  written  to  home  friends,  who  otherwise 
would  have  been  left  long  in  anxious  suspense  and  doubt  as  to  the 
condition  of  the  loved  son  or  husband  whom  the  papers  had  reported 
"  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville."  Very  exhausting  both 
to  mind  and  body  were  these  incessant  labors,  and  nearly  every  Dele- 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1863.  381 

gate  became  worn  out  by  excessive  fatigue,  and  some  barely  escaped 
the  grave.  Those  were  precious  services  indeed  rendered  by  the 
Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission,  who  as  pastors  and  friends 
came  to  bring  home-comforts  and  spiritual  consolation  to  the  thou- 
sands of  maimed,  dying  soldiers.  Precious  services,  that  wealth 
could  never  purchase,  and  for  which  the  Christian  Church,  East  and 
West,  has  great  reason  to  rejoice. 

Thus  week  after  week  passed  away,  bringing  back  health,  strength, 
and  vigor  to  many,  but  closing  the  earthly  career  of  hundreds  of 
those  who  lay  upon  the  rude  cots  of  these  strange,  sad  cities  of  the 
wounded.  The  heat  of  summer  followed  the  delightful  days  of  spring. 
Still  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  lay  quiet  and  harmless  in  the  old 
winter  camps. 

"Why,  this  looks  like  a  'move,'  captain!"  said  the  field  agent  to 
the  quartermaster  at  Falmouth,  as  an  unusual  activity  was  observed. 
"And  that  it  is,"  was  the  laconic  answer.  "When  will  you  require 
our  tent?"  "  Before  five  o'clock."  "  You  shall  have  it,  sir."  And 
this  was  the  first  intimation  the  Christian  Commission  had  of  that 
grand  movement  which  in  two  short  weeks  formed  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  in  line  of  battle  on  "Round  Top"  and  "Cemetery  Hill." 
Two  hours  in  which  to  break  up  housekeeping !  Yet  in  two  hours  the 
stores  and  household  implements  were  packed,  and  the  tent  that  for 
six  months  had  been  known  to  us  as  the  "Falmouth  Station  "was 
rolled  up  and  "turned  in"  to  the  quartermaster. 

There  was  "mounting  in  hot  haste"  that  afternoon,  and  a  rapid 
ride  from  one  to  another  of  the  seven  stations  then  in  operation. 
"Pack  up  and  strike  tents"  was  the  order  of  the  hour,  and  busy 
hands  made  quick  work  of  it.  At  Potomac  Creek  was  a  wonderful 
chapel,  just  completed,  built  by  Delegates  and  soldiers,  framed  of 
poles  cut  from  the  woods  and  covered  with  old  canvas  collected 
from  deserted  camps.  The  next  day  was  the  Sabbath,  and  then  this 
chapel  was  to  be  dedicated  with  impressive  ceremonies ;  but  that 
night  the  sky  was  lurid  with  the  flames  of  the  burning  church. 

That  Sabbath  was  a  busy  day.  From  early  dawn  till  evening  was 
every  man  in  the  Commission  hard  at  work.  Some  were  aiding  to 
remove  the  sick  and  wounded,  who  first  of  all  were  sent  by  boat  to 
Washington ;  others  were  striking  tents,  boxing  up  stores,  loading 
wagons,  unloading  cars,  and  finally  loading  all  upon  a  barge  that 


382  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

lay  by  the  wharf,  amid  such  confusion  as  beggars  all  description. 
At  night  everything  was  safely  loaded,  and  the  next  day  housed 
in  the  rooms  in  Washington. 

But  there  was  now  no  time  for  rest  or  delay ;  before  night  messen- 
gers were  on  their  way  to  Fairfax  Court-house,  where  was  a  station 
of  the  Commission,  and  where  it  was  expected  the  army  would  be 
found.  Nor  were  we  disappointed.  The  line  of  the  army  extended 
from  Fairfax  over  the  Bull  Run  battle-field,  stretching  its  right 
wing  nearly  to  the  Potomac. 

It  was  thought  by  many  that  another  battle  would  be  fought  near 
the  old  fields  of  Bull  Run  and  Chantilly,  but  a  few  days  revealed 
the  fact  that  the  enemy  had  crossed  the  Potomac  and  were  rapidly 
marching  towards  Pennsylvania.  In  the  mean  time  a  party  of 
Delegates,  with  a  full  equipment  of  stores,  had  pitched  their  tent 
near  Fairfax  depot.  This  was  not  done  in  vain,  for,  during  the  four 
days  the  tent  remained,  between  five  and  six  hundred  wounded  and 
sick  men  were  fed.  Being  apprised  of  the  coming  of  long  trains  of 
ambulances  bearing  the  wounded, — three  hundred,  who  had  fallen 
at  Aldie, — hot  coffee,  with  sugar  and  milk,  together  with  fresli  bread, 
were  waiting  the  nearly  starved  sufferers  as  they  reached  the  cars. 
Seldom  is  a  feast  welcomed  with  greater  joy  than  was  that.  Tears 
of  gratitude  were  upon  many  cheeks.  There  was  no  one  else  who 
could  have  furnished  this  food  to  them,  and  if  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion had  not  been  at  hand,  twelve  or  fifteen  hours  more  would  have 
passed  before  the  poor  sufferers,  weak  and  fainting  with  hunger, 
would  have  found  food. 

On  the  night  following  the  hospitals  of  three  cavalry  brigades, 
lying  at  Fairfax  Court-house,  were  suddenly  broken  up,  and  the 
patients,  between  two  and  three  hundred  in  number,  some  of  them 
in  a  dying  state,  carried  in  ambulances,  over  the  roughest  of  all  roads, 
to  Fairfax  Station,  where  many  of  them  lay  for  hours  on  the  floor  of 
the  depot,  awaiting  transportation  to  Washington.  The  Delegates, 
who  had  been  engaged  all  the  previous  night  in  their  labor  of  love, 
now  devoted  themselves  with  fresh  zeal  to  the  work  of  feeding  and 
nursing  the  wounded.  They  provided,  as  they  were  able,  for  the 
sick,  going  around  among  them,  giving  them  drink, — coffee,  tea, 
lemonade, — giving  bread  spread  with  sweet  butter  and  tempting  pre- 
serves, while  speaking  words  of  cheer  as  they  continued  their  work. 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1863.  383 

Said  the  master  of  transportation  to  one  of  the  Delegates,  with  tears 
rolling  down  his  cheeks,  "  I  had  made  up  my  mind  that  these  Com- 
missions were  a  humbug,  but  I  tell  you  what  it  is,  if  there  M  any 
Christianity  it  is  in  the  Christian  Commission." 

Everything  now  was  veiled  in  obscurity.  None  could  tell  where 
the  enemy  were.  Rumors  of  all  sorts  filled  the  air.  Nothing  could 
be  done  further  than  to  fall  back  to  Washington  and  Baltimore,  pre- 
pare a  large  supply  of  battle-field  stores,  and  stand  ready  to  start 
forward  whenever  the  word  came. 

It  came  at  last,  after  long  days  of  suspense, — the  story  of  the  first 
day's  fight  at  Gettysburg.  At  once  Delegates  started  for  the  field, 
and  before  the  smoke  of  the  battle  had  cleared  away,  they  were 
among  the  mangled  forms  of  the  fallen,  doing  with  their  might  what- 
ever their  hands  found  to  do.  From  this  time,  every  train  brought 
fresh  supplies  of  men  and  stores,  until  over  three  hundred  Delegates, 
each  assigned  to  his  special  post,  with  ample  stores  at  his  disposal, 
were  seeking  to  alleviate  the  horrors  of  that  bloody  field. 

The  supply  station  of  the  Commission  was  established  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Gettysburg,  a  large  storehouse  being  used  as  a  depot  for  the 
reception  and  distribution  of  supplies.  The  amount  of  business 
transacted  at  this  station  may  be  seen  in  the  fact  that  in  addition  to 
the  labors  connected  with  the  reception  of  Delegates  and  their 
assignment  to  their  special  fields,  there  were  in  a  little  over  one 
month's  time  about  twenty-five  .hundred  cases  of  stores  distributed, 
valued  at  seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  On  some  days  a  thousand 
loaves  of  bread  were  given  out,  large  "  Pennsylvania  loaves,"  sent 
by  wagon-loads  to  our  station  day  after  day,  by  the  "Patriot  Daugh- 
ters" of  Lancaster,  and  the  generous-hearted  men  and  women  of 
York,  Carlisle,  Columbia,  Harrisburg,  and  indeed  nearly  every  town 
in  that  part  of  the  State.  Every  day  army  wagons  were  loaded 
with  provisions,  clothing,  wines,  preserves,  medicines,  etc.,  for  the 
corps  station,  and  ambulances  and  smaller  wagons  sent  with  needed 
stores  to  the  smaller  hospitals  and  to  companies  scattered  here  and 
there  all  over  the  field.  The  Commission  received  very  great  assist- 
ance at  this  station  from  the  people  of  Gettysburg.  Many  of  the 
leading  citizens  opened  their  houses  for  the  accommodation  of  Dele- 
gates, while  others  gave  their  personal  services  most  unremittingly  in. 
opening  and  assorting  boxes  of  stores,  copying  invoices,  answering 


384  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  letters  of  inquiry  from  friends  of  soldiers,  and  in  many  ways 
giving  increased  efficiency  to  the  station. 

An  important  feature  of  the  Commission's  work  was  the  opening 
of  feeding  stations  for  soldiers  while  on  their  way  to  permanent  hos- 
pitals. One  of  these  was  opened  in  the  village,  after  the  battle,  to 
feed  the  thousands  of  men  who,  weary,  weak  from  loss  of  blood, 
hungry  and  disheartened,  came  pouring  in  from  the  various  field 
hospitals  three  or  four  miles  from  town,  hoping  to  find  cars  ready  to 
take  them  to  Baltimore  or  Philadelphia.  Another  was,  by  request 
of  the  Medical  Inspector,  opened  at  Hanover  Junction,  when  the 
wounded  began  to  be  removed  in  large  numbers  to  the  permanent 
hospitals  of  more  Northern  cities.  Here  many  thousands  of  soldiers 
were  fed,  the  trains  being  halted  for  this  purpose;  every  man  received 
suitable  food  and  drink. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  battle,  stations  of  the  Commission  were 
also  established  in  the  corps  hospitals.  A  competent  Delegate  was 
appointed  to  take  charge  of  each,  and  other  Delegates  assigned  to 
work  under  his  direction,  subject,  however,  to  the  orders  of  the 
surgeon  in  charge,  to  whom  all  were  to  report  themselves  in  the  first 
instance  for  instruction  in  the  work  which  they  should  perform.  In 
the  hospitals  of  every  corps,  except  the  Sixth,  there  was  a  tent 
occupied  by  the  stores  and  Delegates  of  the  Commission.  The  work 
in  these  corps  hospitals,  though  in  many  respects  similar  to  that  done 
by  the  Delegates  after  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  was  yet  in  many 
points  quite  unlike  that,  and  could  be  fully  represented  only  by  a 
detailed  description  of  each  station,  as  shown  by  the  reports  of  the 
Delegates  themselves. 

Mr.  Williams,  in  his  report  of  this  field,  gives  the  following 
account  of  one  of  these  stations  :  — 

In  some  respects  the  work  in  the  Second  Corps  hospital  was  the  most  inte- 
resting and  important.  There  were  at  least  twenty-five  hundred  wounded  men 
in  this  hospital,  which  was  located  at  first  (though  afterwards  removed  to  a 
better  situation)  in  a  grove  about  a  mile  south  of  the  Baltimore  pike,  and 
between  two  and  three  miles  from  town.  The  men  here  were  in  a  terrible  con- 
dition. They  lay  upon  the  damp  ground,  many  of  them  with  nothing  under 
them.  In  this  hospital  there  was  an  unusually  large  number  of  amputations, 
the  amputated  stumps  lying  directly  upon  the  ground,  except  when  now  and 
then  elevated  a  little  upon  a  handful  of  straw  or  a  bunch  of  old  rags.  Many 


AEMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  385 

of  the  men,  perhaps  most  of  them,  were  in  want  of  clothing.  Suitable  food 
was  not  to  be  had.  The  surgeons  were  overworked.  There  was  an  insufficient 
number  of  attendants,  —  every  able-bodied  man  that  could  possibly  be  spared 
having  accompanied  the  army  in  its  pursuit  of  Lee. 

Into  this  field,  as  already  intimated,  the  Christian  Commission  entered.  A 
tent  was  pitched,  at  first  in  the  Third  Division  of  the  Second  Corp.",  under  the 
direction  of  Rev.  J.  E.  Adams,  of  New  Sharon,  Maine,  and  J.  B.  Stillson,  Esq., 
of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Here  a  dozen  or  more  Delegates  had  their  headquarters, 
while  they  sought  to  alleviate  pain,  with  all  the  energy  which  the  sight  of 
suffering  can  arouse.  Another  tent,  and  still  another,  was  pitched  in  the  First 
and  Second  Divisions  of  the  same  corps,  where' the  Rev.  R.  C.  Matlack,  with  a 
company  of  Delegates  from  Philadelphia,  and  Mrs.  Moore  and  her  daughter, 
sent  by  the  Commission  from  Baltimore,  labored  incessantly  for  several  weeks. 
Other  ladies,  from  different  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  did  a  good  work  in  this 
corps,  cooking  and  supplying  choice  dishes  of  nourishing  food  for  the  lan- 
guishing men. 

There  were  nearly  or  quite  a  thousand  rebels,  most  of  them  severely 
wounded,  lying  on  the  outskirts  of  this  hospital,  shrieking  and  crying  for 
assistance  continually.  The  appearance  of  those  connected  with  the  hospital 
of  the  Third  Division  of  this  corps  beggars  description.  Destitute  of  clothing, 
many  of  them  nearly  naked  and  covered  with  filth,  without  tents,  lying  in  the 
mud,  —  for  the  sudden  rise  of  the  little  stream  by  which  they  had  been  placed 
rendered  it  impossible  to  avoid  this,  — cursing,  praying,  begging  their  atten- 
dants or  visitors  to  put  an  end  to  their  sufferings  by  taking  their  lives,  here  one 
and  yonder  another  laid  out  by  himself  to  die,  these  wretched  men  made  the 
strongest  appeal  to  Christian  sympathy  and  benevolence.  Nor  was  their 
appeal  unheeded.  Physicians  who  had  come  out  under  the  direction  of  the 
Commission  were  immediately  sent  to  their  relief,  to  dress  their  wounds  and  to 
prescribe  for  their  necessities,  while  stores  were  freely  distributed  among  them 
by  Messrs.  Adams  and  Stillson  and  their  associates.  Nor  did  this  work  cease 
till  every  wounded  man  was  made  comfortable,  every  wound  dressed,  every 
necessary  amputation  performed,  tents  issued  for  their  accommodation,  under- 
clothing distributed,  and  those  who  were  able  to  endure  it  sent  to  Baltimore  or 
Philadelphia,  while  the  rest  were  conveyed  to  the  general  hospital  established 
on  the  other  side  of  the  town.  Hardly  less  thorough  than  this  was  the  work 
performed  in  the  First  and  Second  Divisions  of  the  corps.  Mr.  Matlack  and 
those  associated  with 'him  were  untiring  in  their  efforts  to  make  our  soldiers 
comfortable,  dressing  wounds  themselves,  giving  without  stint  while  their 
stores  held  out,  then  telegraphing  to  Philadelphia  for  more,  and  only  remitting 
their  exertions  when  the  necessity  for  them  had  passed  away. 

When  all  who  could  be  had  been  removed  to  the  general  hospital,  there 
were  nearly  four  hundred  left  on  the  ground,  severe  cases  of  amputation,  com- 
pound fracture,  etc.,  of  whom  probably  not  more  than  one-third  lived.    Among 
49 


386  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

these  men,  many  of  whom  suffered  excruciatingly,  some  of  our  Delegates  con- 
tinued to  labor  till  the  last,  through  the  surgeons  and  in  connection  with  other 
Commissions  supplying  their  bodily  wants,  but  seeking  chiefly  to  direct  them 
to  the  Great  Physician  for  the  healing  of  the  soul.  Many  gave  evidence  of  a 
renewed  state.  Especially  was  this  true  among  the  rebels.  And  as  the  Dele- 
gates went  through  their  tents  you  would  hear  the  inmates  invoke  blesssings 
upon  their  heads,  and  beg  them  to  stop  and  pray  and  sing. 

Every  station  occupied  by  the  Commission  on  this  field  of  blood 
is  worthy  of  a  special  record.  Suffice  it  to  say,  however,  that  at  every 
point  of  this  field,  as  at  other  fields  of  like  character,  the  effort  to  re- 
lieve the  temporal  wants  of  the  dying  was  blended  with  Christian 
counsel  and  consolation  for  their  spiritual  necessities,  and  as  ever 
before,  so  here  the  Holy  Spirit  attended  such  ministrations  with  the 
Divine  blessing. 

Besides  this  corps  of  Delegates  among  the  hospitals  of  Gettysburg, 
another  strong  force,  with  ample  and  well-selected  stores,  followed 
the  army  in  its  pursuit  of  the  enemy  to  the  Potomac,  in  anticipation 
of  another  battle,  but  were  spared  the  painful  sights  and  duties  for 
which  they  were  prepared. 

In  connection  with  this  reference  to  the  work  at 
Gettysburg  the  subjoined  letter  of  R.  G.  McCreary, 
Esq.,  will  be  found  of  historic  interest  and  value.  Mr. 
McCreary  is  a  prominent  citizen  and  lawyer  of  that 
place,  was  one  of  the  most  indefatigable  laborers  through 
all  the  time  that  the  Commission  retained  direct  control 
of  the  work,  and  subsequently  took  the  entire  supervi- 
sion of  it  as  Chairman  of  the  Army  Committee  to  whom 
it  was  assigned,  when  the  field  agents  of  the  Commission 
were  withdrawn  for  other  and  more  urgent  service  else- 
where:— 

GETTYSBURG,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

GEORGE  H.  STUART,  ESQ., — 

Dear  Sir:  Our  Christian  Commission  work  here  is  finished;  the 
thousands  of  wounded  men  lately  around  us  have  gone;  the  tents 
that  whitened  our  fields  have  been  removed  ;  the  "  pomp  and  circum- 
stance of  war,"  infantry,  artillery,  cavalry,  ambulance  and  army 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1863.  387 

wagon,  have  disappeared  from  our  streets ;  all  have  gone  ?avi>  the 
"  unreturning  brave,"  whose  bivouac  covers  the  slope  of  Cemetery 
Hill,  and  the  thousands  of  their  deluded  foes,  who,  with  valor  worthy 
of  a  better  cause,  threw  away  their  lives  in  vain  efforts  to  break  the 
wall  of  fire  and  steel  which  crossed  their  path  to  victory,  and  whose 
undistinguished  graves  dot  and  scar  the  landscape  for  miles  around. 

Being  resident  here,  my  work  commenced  with  the  movements 
preceding  the  great  struggle  of  the  first  days  of  July,  which  decided 
the  fate  of  the  national  capital,  and  probably  of  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy. For  several  days  previous  the  movements  of  detached 
portions  of  the  hostile  armies,  like  scudding  clouds  whose  rapid  and 
diverse  flight  precede  and  portend  the  hurricane,  seemed  plainly  to 
indicate  the  approach  of  the  tremendous  conflict  of  those  days.  On 
the  26th  day  of  June  a  regiment  of  Pennsylvania  volunteers  arrived 
from  Harrisburg,  and  marched  to  Marsh  Creek  on  the  Chambers- 
burg  turnpike,  from  which  direction  it  was  understood  a  portion  of 
the  rebel  army  threatened  an  advance.  After  their  departure  my 
attention  was  called  to  two  young  men,  lying  in  a  wet  and  dirty  apart- 
ment at  the  railroad  station,  sick  and  unable  to  travel.  I  had  them 
immediately  taken  to  my  house  and  put  to  bed,  where,  by  medical 
skill  and  careful  nursing,  they  were  so  far  recovered  in  a  few  days 
as  to  be  able  to  join  a  party  of  their  comrades  in  a  successful  attempt 
to  reach  their  regiment,  which  in  the  mean  time  had  made  a  hasty 
retreat  before  the  advance  of  Early's  division  of  Swell's  corps,  which 
occupied  the  town  on  the  26th  of  June,  and  the  next  day  moved  on 
towards  the  Susquehanna.  Two  days  later  a  brigade  of  cavalry, 
under  General  Kopelin,  arrived  from  the  direction  of  Frederick, 
Maryland,  and,  as  they  expected  a  fight  and  had  no  hospital  stores, 
at  the  request  of  their  surgeon  a  number  of  our  ladies  were  assem- 
bled, and  the  Sabbath  was  spent  in  the  preparation  of  lint  and  band- 
ages. They  were  not  needed,  however,  as  the  cavalry  fell  back  the 
next  morning ;  but  the  supply  thus  provided  proved  very  valuable 
a  few  days  later. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th  of  June  a  strong  reconnoitering  force 
of  rebels  advanced,  on  the  Chambersburg  turnpike,  to  the  Seminary 
ridge  overlooking  the  town ;  they  interrogated  a  citizen  as  to  the  pres- 
ence of  "  Yankee  soldiers,"  and  were  told  that  there  were  a  great 
many  in  the  neighborhood.  This  information,  false  in  fact,  and  in- 


388  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

tended  to  deceive,  may  have  prevented  them  from  taking  possession 
of  the  town  at  that  time,  and  they  fell  back  several  miles  towards 
the  mountains.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  Buford's  cavalry 
division  entered  the  town  from  the  South,  and  passed  a  mile  to  the 
Northwest  on  the  Chambersburg  and  Manassasburg  turnpikes,  and 
halted  for  the  night.  Their  medical  officer  requested  accommoda- 
tions for  six  or  eight  men  of  the  command  who  were  sick.  I  pro- 
cured the  use  of  the  railroad  depot,  and  with  a  couple  of  assistants 
soon  had  it  cleared  out  and  twenty  comfortable  beds  carried  in  and 
arranged,  and  they  were  soon  all  filled  with  suffering  men,  for  whom 
an  abundant  supply  of  suitable  food  and  delicacies  was  speedily  fur- 
nished by  the  families  in  the  neighborhood,  until  the  events  of  the 
succeeding  day  caused  them  to  be  removed  to  the  rear  of  our  army. 

The  battle  on  the  first  of  July  commenced  about  the  middle  of  the 
forenoon,  between  the  rebels  advancing  on  the  Chambersburg  turn- 
pike and  Buford's  cavalry,  who,  as  the  infantry  of  the  First  Army 
Corps  came  up  and  formed  in  line  of  battle,  slowly  retired  to  the 
rear.  The  approaching  storm  was  watched  with  intense  anxiety  by 
the  citizens,  who,  crowding  to  their  housetops,  cheered  the  advance 
of  our  brave  troops;  but  it  was  not  long  until  the  boom  of  cannon, 
the  bursting  of  shell,  the  rattle  and  crash  of  heavy  infantry  firing 
along  the  ridges  West  of  the  town,  and  the  stream  of  litters  which 
began  to  move  in  from  the  field  of  carnage,  brought  them  to  realize 
the  fact  that  a  fierce  and  bloody  contest  was  in  progress. 

Descending  from  my  chimney-top,  and  gathering  up  a  basket  of 
bandages,  with  basin,  sponge,  scissors,  and  pins,  I  hastened  to  the 
nearest  hospital,  which  I  found  in  a  warehouse  about  two  hundred 
yards  from  my  residence.  I  went  to  work  with  my  coat  off,  and  saw 
no  more  of  the  battle  until  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  though  there 
was  abundant  evidence,  in  the  many  mangled  and  bleeding  forms 
constantly  coming  in,  and  the  louder  and  increasing  crash  of  arms, 
that  the  conflict  was  a  most  terrible  one,  and  was  rapidly  approach- 
ing the  town.  At  length,  the  frequent  explosion  of  shells  in  the  im- 
mediate neighborhood, — one  of  them  passing  through  a  corner  of 
the  warehouse,— reminded  me  that  I  had  a  wife  and  family  of  chil- 
dren under  fire,  and  therefore,  reluctantly  leaving  my  work,  I  hastened 
to  look  after  them.  Finding  all  safe,  I  ascended  to  the  house-top 
for  another  view  of  the  battle,  and  found  that  our  army  was  falling 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1863.  389 

back,  and  soon  the  rush  and  roar  of  the  retreat  and  battle  in  the 
streets  banished  everything  else  from  our  minds.  That  was  a  terri- 
ble night.  Our  army  had  been  driven  back ;  the  town  was  full  of 
armed  enemies.  We  saw  and  heard  the  progress  of  pillage  all  around 
us,  and  knew  not  how  far  it  might  proceed ;  but  we  trusted  in  the 
Lord  and  were  safe. 

The  morning  of  July  the  second  revealed  a  dreadful  sight, —  dead 
horses  and  dead  men  lay  about  the  streets,  and  there  were  none  to 
bury  them.  Our  first  care  was  for  the  multitude  of  wounded  men 
now  suffering  for  want  of  food.  I  sallied  forth,  taking  care  to  lock 
the  door  after  me.  Arms  and  armor  were  strewn  around  and  trod- 
den into  the  mud.  I  found  the  bakeries  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
rebels,  and  not  a  loaf  or  cracker  remained ;  the  butchers'  cattle  had 
been  driven  away  or  confiscated,  and  no  meat  could  be  procured ; 
the  groceries  were  broken  open,  and  their  contents  carried  away  or 
destroyed  by  troops  of  rebels,  who,  like  hungry  wolves,  roamed  through 
the  streets  in  search  of  plunder.  The  citizens  had  freely  distributed 
to  our  own  soldiers  for  several  days  previous,  and  had  little  left  in 
their  houses,  and,  as  we  were  entirely  cut  off  from  the  world  without 
the  rebel  lines,  there  was  no  possibility  of  procuring  a  supply ;  but 
they  did  what  they  could,  even  denying  their  own  families  food  in 
order  to  give  something  to  the  suffering  men.  In  my  own  family, 
in  anticipation  of  what  had  occurred,  we  had  a  good  supply  of  coffee 
and  other  articles  now  most  needful ;  a  twelve-gallon  boiler  was  many 
times  replenished,  and  its  contents  carried  in  buckets  to  the  different 
hospitals  within  reach,  and,  with  baskets  of  bread  and  other  edibles 
distributed  among  the  men,  served  to  relieve  the  pangs  of  hunger  in 
many  a  brave  soldier. 

In  the  rear  of  my  residence  is  an  open  lot,  on  which  a  rebel  com- 
missary cut  up  and  distributed  beef  to  a  company  or  battalion  of 
cavalry  quartered  near.  My  wife  solicited  and  obtained  from  him 
the  beef-bones  left  on  the  ground,  and  had  them  conveyed  to  her 
kitchen,  and  there  washed,  cut  up,  and  speedily  converted  into  ex- 
cellent beef-soup,  until  in  this  way  probably  one  hundred  gallons  of 
this  nourishing  food  had  been  distributed  to  the  different  hospitals, 
thus  furnishing  a  most  grateful  and  timely  relief  to  the  poor  fellows, 
many  of  whom  were  not  in  condition  to  partake  of  solid  food. 

Our  surgeons,  who  remained  with  these  men  and  permitted  them- 


390  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

selves  to  be  taken  prisoners,  were  greatly  embarrassed  for  want  of 
medical  supplies,  as  the  rebels  would  not  or  could  not  supply  any, 
and  instances  were  mentioned  in  which  they  carried  off  those  pro- 
vided for  our  men.  The  ladies  of  the  town  freely  devoted  their 
linen  and  muslin  goods  to  supply  bandages  and  lint ;  but  the  lack  of 
medicines  was  not  so  easily  remedied. 

In  one  of  the  hospitals  were  several  cases  requiring  operations,  in 
which  anodynes  were  necessary,  and  I  undertook  to  find  any  that 
might  be  in  town.  Calling  at  a  drug  store  Avhich  was  closed,  the 
owner  came  to  the  door,  and  said  he  had  nothing  of  the  kind  in  the 
house,  and  added  in  a  whisper,  "  Call  again ;  there  is  a  rebel  officer 
in  the  store  searching  for  some."  At  another  establishment  I  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  pound  of  chloroform,  which  was  brought  from 
some  mysterious  hiding-place,  and  for  which  the  owner  declined 
accepting  any  compensation. 

Allow  me  here  to  remark,  that  the  stories  which  have  been  pub- 
lished, charging  the  people  of  this  town  with  a  want  of  hospitality 
toward  the  soldiers,  are  basely  false.  I  do  not  believe  any  com- 
munity has  exhibited  more  generous  devotion  towards  those  thrown 
upon  their  hands.  The  circumstances  in  which  they  were  placed 
made  it  impossible  for  them  to  afford  full  relief,  but  to  the  extent  of 
their  ability,  as  a  general  rule,  and  beyond  their  ability,  they  hesi- 
tated not  to  contribute  in  aid  of  the  suffering  multitudes  around 
them.  In  those  days  of  suffering  I  gathered  bread  from  house  to 
house,  and  the  last  loaf  and  half  loaf  was  always  cheerfully  given. 
In  every  community  there  are  heartless  and  sordid  persons  to  be 
found,  and  doubtless  there  are  such  here;  but  they  are  exceptions. 
In  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  there  were  skulkers,  who,  when  their 
comrades  were  fighting,  hung  in  the  rear  and  plundered  the  farm- 
houses. Shall  we  therefore  charge  that  noble  army  with  cowardice 
and  robbery  ?  Not  less  unjust  is  it  to  accuse  the  citizens  of  Gettys- 
burg of  faults  which  a  few  individuals  may  have  committed.  Dur- 
ing the  battle  of  the  first  day,  when  the  rebel  shells  were  shrieking 
and  bursting  around  the  hospitals,  even  the  women  were  found  in 
the  midst  of  the  wounded  men  as  they  were  carried  in  from  the  field, 
doing  all  in  their  power  to  administer  to  their  comfort ;  and  from 
that  time  all  through  those  terrible  days,  and  afterwards  down  to 
the  close,  in  every  hospital  in  town  and  around  it,  at  all  times,  with 


AEMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  391 

a  devotion  that  never  flagged,  nor  counted  any  sacrifice  too  great, 
our  noble  women  were  found,  like  angels  of  mercy,  binding  up 
wounds  and  administering  cordials  and  viands,  with  gentle  words  of 
sympathy,  more  grateful  to  the  sufferers  than  even  the  food  neces- 
sary for  their  subsistence.  Ask  the  many  hundreds  of  wounded 
men  who  filled  the  warehouses,  halls,  churches,  and  go  many  of  the 
private  dwellings  of  the  town  during  this  trying  period,  what  they 
think  of  the  hospitality  of  the  people  of  Gettysburg,  and  I  am  sure 
the  citizens  will  be  satisfied  with  their  verdict. 

The  rebels,  though  disposed  to  help  themselves,  were  generally 
civil  and  even  respectful  towards  the  citizens.  A  circumstance, 
however,  occurred  in  the  forenoon  of  Friday,  July  3,  which  for  a 
while  seemed  likely  to  produce  trouble.  A  soldier  of  a  Virginia 
regiment,  sitting  in  front  of  the  Franklin  House,  on  the  public 
square,  was  shot  through  the  breast  by  a  minie  ball  fired  by  a  sharp- 
shooter in  a  house  near  the  Cemetery,  a  full  half  mile  distant.  As 
he  lay  writhing  in  agony,  a  crowd  of  his  comrades  gathered  around, 
and  insisted  that  he  had  been  shot  from  some  of  the  houses  near  the 
square,  and  threatened  summary  vengeance.  I  had  gone  to  render 
any  possible  aid  to  the  dying  man ;  but  finding  that  nothing  could 
be  done  for  him,  was  bathing  his  face  when  the  excitement  arose.  I 
remonstrated  with  them,  and  after  some  time  succeeded  in  convinc- 
ing them  that  they  were  mistaken,  and  the  affair  passed  off  with 
apparently  sincere  thanks  for  my  kindness  to  the  dying  man.  The 
practice  of  sharp-shooting  made  it  sometimes  dangerous  for  persons 
on  the  streets.  I  had  the  day  previous  experienced  a  narrow  escape 
from  injury.  As  I  was  passing  with  my  basket  of  bandages  along 
Baltimore  street,  I  was  greeted  with  the  peculiar  sound  of  a  minie 
close  by  my  ear,  and  at  the  instant  a  drooping  twig  was  cut  by  it 
from  a  tree  just  in. front  of  me.  The  incident  did  not  prevent  my 
going  the  same  round  again;  but  it  made  me  careful  to  walk  as  close 
as  convenient  to  the  walls  of  the  houses. 

The  rebel  officers,  until  Friday,  seemed  to  be  entirely  confident  of 
success.  One  of  them  said  to  me  in  the  forenoon  of  Thursday  that 
they  would  not  remain  with  us  more  than  a  few  hours,  as  General 
Lee  had  his  plan  of  battle  nearly  arranged,  and  they  would  move 
forward,  and  he  seemed  to  think  with  assured  success.  He  said  they 
had  one  hundred  thousand  men  on  this  field,  and  boasted  of  their 


392  AXXALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

complete  appointments  and  invincibility.  The  same  night,  at  a  late 
hour,  several  officers  on  horseback  stopped  in  front  of  my  dwelling, 
where  several  gentlemen,  anxious  for  information,  entered  into  con- 
versation with  them ;  they  were  in  good  spirits,  and  said  they  had 
advanced  both  wings  of  their  army  and  had  taken  one  of  our  bat- 
teries in  the  centre ;  they  extolled  General  Lee  as  the  great  master 
of  the  military  art,  and  spoke  of  his  admirable  strategy  in  making 
a  grand  feint  towards  Philadelphia,  in  order  to  concentrate  his  army 
here  for  an  attack  on  Baltimore  and  Washington.  About  this  time 
a  squad  of  soldiers  passing  were  halted,  and  asked  to  what  they 
belonged.  They  replied,  "To  the  Second  Louisiana  Brigade."  They 
were  then  asked  if  they  had  taken  that  battery,  and  they  replied 
that  they  had  to  "  come  out,"  and  could  not  take  it.  The  officers 
were  silent.  These  men  said  the  next  day  that  they  had  but  fifty 
men  left  in  their  brigade  after  that  assault ;  they  were  the  "  Lou- 
isiana Tigers,"  of  whom  those  officers  boasted  that  they  had  never  been 
driven  back  in  a  charge,  and  never  would  be. 

A  great  many  of  the  rebel  soldiers  seemed  to  have  no  affection  for 
the  service,  and  would  gladly  leave  it  if  possible.  This  we  found  by 
conversation  with  their  wounded  men  in  the  hospitals,  and  many 
incidents  might  be  related  showing  that  this  feeling  is  common  in 
the  army,  and  that  the  soldiers  are  kept  in  the  ranks  solely  by  force 
of  stern  and  inexorable  military  law.  A  gentleman  living  in  the 
South  end  of  the  town,  whose  house  was  occupied  by  rebel  sharp- 
shooters, who  drove  him  and  his  family  into  the  cellar,  relates  that, 
creeping  out  after  dark  to  feed  his  cow,  he  encountered  one  of  these 
men  alone  in  the  stable,  and  entered  into  conversation  with  him. 
He  declared  that  he  had  been  compelled  to  enter  the  army,  and 
wept  when  he  spoke  of  his  wife  and  children,  from  whom  he  had 
been  forced  away ;  he  was  anxious  to  be  assisted  in  getting  within 
our  lines;  but  that  was  impossible,  as  the  intervening  space  Was 
covered  by  the  fire  of  the  pickets  of  both  armies.  The  next  morn- 
ing our  skirmishers  advanced  and  killed  or  captured  this  entire 
party,  and  this  man's  rifle  was  found  two-thirds  filled  with  cartridges, 
showing  that  he  had  refused  to  fire  at  the  Union  troops. 

On  Friday  night  the  rebel  army  quietly  withdrew  from  the  town 
to  the  crest  of  the  Seminary  ridge,  and  at  daylight  our  skirmishers 
drove  out  or  captured  their  stragglers  and  pickets.  It  was  truly  a 


ARMY    OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1863.  393 

joyful  morning  to  the  citizens,  who  felt  as  if  some  dreadful  incubus 
had  been  removed ;  and  though  it  was  a  day  of  alarm  from  the 
apprehension  that  the  rebel  batteries  might  open  on  the  town,  still  it 
was  evident  that  they  were  retreating  and  that  relief  was  at  hand. 
As  soon  as  the  town  was  clear  of  the  rebel  lines,  supplies  began  to 
come  in,  and  those  in  hospitals  here  were  made  as  comfortable  as 
circumstances  permitted;  but  there  was  still  in  the  fields, — the  scene 
of  the  first  day's  fight,— a  large  number  who  for  two  days  more 
could  not  be  reached,  and  whose  sufferings  must  have  been,  beyond 
description,  severe.  R.  G.  MC-CREARY. 

The  narrative  of  the  General  Field  Agent  is  now 
resumed :  — 

Two  or  three  weeks  now  elapsed  before  a  new  force  was  organized 
for  effort  in  the  army,  which  was  then  on  its  way  from  the  Potomac 
river  to  Warrenton  City.  Nearly  the  entire  force  of  the  Commission 
was  directed  to  Gettysburg,  and  to  the  supply  of  the  permanent  sta- 
tions, so  that  but  little  material  remained  for  a  new  effort,  and  as  the 
old  line  of  supply  was  broken  up,  and  the  army  so  constantly  in 
motion,  new  machinery  was  required,  and  a  new  plan  to  be  matured. 
The  last  week  in  July,  however,  everything  was  in  readiness,  and 
with  the  new  four-horse  wagon,  compactly  stowed  with  tents  and 
stores  of  hospital  supplies  and  religious  reading,  a  party  of  Delegates 
left  Washington  for  Warrenton  Junction,  over  the  "  pike."  Going 
into  camp,  the  first  night,  near  Fairfax  Court-house,  in  company  with 
a  long  train  of  wagons,  heavily  loaded  with  valuable  goods,  a  circum- 
stance occurred,  that  for  a  time  promised  to  change  the  plans  of  the 
Commission  quite  materially.  About  midnight  a  party  of  guerrillas, 
with  oaths,  and  revolvers  in  hand,  dashed  into  camp,  and  were  soon 
escorting  the  whole  train,  at  a  rapid  pace,  on  the  direct  road  to  Rich- 
mond. A  "station"  at  " Libby "  seemed  the  most  probable  result 
of  the  adventure.  But  a  kind  Providence,  just  as  all  hope  of  rescue 
was  failing,  delivered  them  out  of  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  and 
they  were,  as  the  morning  dawned,  started  once  more  on  their  way 
rejoicing.  On  the  2d  of  August,  too  weary  to  go  further,  a  tent  was 
pitched  near  headquarters  of  the  Army,  at  Germantown,  where  it  re- 
mained as  a  useful  station  of  the  Commission  until  the  14th  of  Sep- 

50 


394  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

tembev.  A  footing  secured,  and  with  the  prospect  of  a  month  of 
quiet  rest  for  the  army,  several  stations  were  at  once  established, — 
one  at  Warrenton  City,  one  among  the  hospitals  of  the  First  Corps  at 
Rappahannock,  another  at  Bealeton,  and  after  a  few  weeks  a  fifth  in 
the  Third  Army  Corps.  The  sick  of  the  army  were  not  retained  in 
the  field,  but  sent  at  once  to  the  hospitals  of  Washington;  so  that  for 
six  weeks  the  attentions  of  the  Delegates  were  mostly  directed  to  the 
wants  of  the  well.  Many  thousands  of  Testaments,  hymn  books,  and 
religious  papers  were  distributed  throughout  each  corps,  and  meet- 
ings were  organized  and  sustained  at  many  places. 

At  the  chapel-tent  at  Bealeton  chaplains'  meetings  were  held 
weekly,  twenty  or  thirty  being  sometimes  present.  It  was  the  con- 
stant aim  of  the  Commission,  as  it  had  ever  been,  to  do  all  in  its 
power  to  assist,  encourage,  and  strengthen  the  hands  of  these  devoted 
men,  who,  through  summer's  heat  and  winter's  cold,  shared  the 
perils  and  discomforts  of  the  army  life  with  those  whom  they  desired 
to  benefit,  and  who  had  in  too  many  instances  to  stand  up  alone 
against  an  active  opposition. 

At  the  tent  in  the  Third  Corps  a  most  interesting  scene  was  pre- 
sented,—  the  chapel  being  crowded  at  every  service,  soldiers  coming 
from  a  distance  to  hear  the  truth  proclaimed,  and  the  Holy  Spirit 
making  this  truth  effectual  to  the  conversion  of  many.  The  work  at 
all  of  these  stations, — each  one  useful  and  instrumental,  we  believe, 
in  leading  many  souls  to  Christ, — was  brought  to  an  end  in  the  mid- 
dle of  September  by  another  advance  of  the  army,  beyond  Culpepper 
and  to  the  banks  of  the  Rapidan. 

Extensive  rooms  were  secured  in  Culpepper  for  the  office  and 
warerooms  of  the  Commission,  and  every  preparation  made  for  the 
battle  that  was  each  day  expected.  The  cavalry  was  constantly  in 
action,  and  every  church  in  the  village,  besides  the  large  Piedmont 
Hotel,  was  filled  with  their  wounded  and  sick.  Among  these  men, 
for  many  days,  the  Delegates  found  such  opportunities  for  relieving 
distress  as  are  seldom  presented.  Hundreds  were  supplied  with  food 
prepared  at  the  Commission  rooms,  and  taken  from  ward  to  ward  by 
the  Delegates  themselves.  Indeed  in  very  many  respects  the  work 
resembled  that  performed  at  the  field  hospitals  in  Falmouth  five 
months  before.  Hundreds  of  letters  were  written  for  the  feeble  men, 
clothing  and  food  were  given  to  those  found  to  be  destitute,  and  reli- 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  395 

gious  counsel  and  comfort  freely  bestowed.  Daily  prayers  were  held 
in  each  ward  of  the  hospitals,  and  an  abundance  of  religious  reading 
circulated.  In  addition  to  this,  committees  were  appointed  to  visit 
different  parts  of  the  army  with  the  supplies  of  papers  as  they  were 
received,  and  many  services  were  held  in  distant  camps.  As  is  the 
almost  invariable  custom  of  the  Commission,  a  prayer-meeting  was 
held  each  evening  at  the  station,  which  soon  became,  as  usual,  a 
centre  of  great  interest. 

Very  suddenly  came  the  order  to  "  advance,"  and  in  a  very  unex- 
pected direction.  With  scarcely  time  to  send  our  superabundant 
stores  to  the  cdrg,  we  were  ordered  off,  and  with  a  wagon  loaded 
down  heavily  we  started,  upon  what  proved  to  be  a  most  rapid  and 
exciting  retreat,  into  the  line  of  wagons, — mules  going  on  the  run, 
flanked  by  columns  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery ;  men  on  foot 
and  men  on  horseback  ;  officers,  soldiers,  sutlers,  and  contrabands,  all 
mixed  up  in  this  grand  exodus,  and  all  intent  to  reach  the  Eastern 
bank  of  the  Rappahannock.  Few  scenes  are  more  exciting  than  the 
retreat  of  the  wagon-trains  of  an  army, — the  rapid  run,  the  startling 
rumor,  the  sound  of  the  approaching  guns,  the  breaking  wheel  or 
overturn,  the  quivering  bridges,  poised  high  in  air  over  some  moun- 
tain stream,  the  deep  "  runs"  where  teams  are  "  set"  and  left  to  the 
mercy  of  crushing  wheels  behind,  give  variety  and  interest  to  every 
mile  of  the  road.  We  started  on  Sabbath  morning,  and  on  Thursday 
reached  Fairfax  Court-house,  with  our  wagon  shorn  of  its  beauty, 
bearing  away  visible  scars  from  the  exciting  contest.  Stores  were 
safe,  and  men  were  all  right  after  a  hearty  meal  and  a  day  of  sleep. 

"  Centreville  Heights,"  the  goal  for  which  the  armies  were  racing, 
was  gained  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  the  rebels,  satisfying 
themselves  with  thfi  destruction  of  a  railroad,  slowly  fell  back  to  the 
Rappahannock.  Some  tedious  days  of  uncertainty  followed.  The 
army,  by  slow  stages,  advanced,  but  with  no  expectation  of  meeting 
the  enemy  in  force.  In  the  last  week  of  the  month  a  station  was 
established  at  Gainesville,  but  was  soon  moved  thence  to  Manassas 
Junction,  and  the  first  week  in  November  transferred  to  Warrenton 
Junction.  A  few  days  of  suspense  were  usefully  employed  by  the 
Delegates  in  making  an  extended  distribution  of  religious  reading 
and  in  holding  evening  meetings.  The  meetings  were  largely  attended, 
and  were  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  some  souls. 


396  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

On  the  7th  day  of  November,  after  a  sharp  fight,  the  array  crossed 
the  Rappahannock  and  took  up  the  old  line  of  defence  along  the 
Rapidan.  A  party  started  for  the  field  hospitals  with  a  wagon-load 
of  stores,  and,  after  working  two  days  among  the  wounded,  went 
forward  to  Brandy,  and  established  a  new  station.  For  the  next 
fortnight  the  headquarters  of  the  Commission  were  at  Brandy  Sta- 
tion. A  very  large  quantity  of  reading-matter  was  there  distributed, 
and  from  the  station  the  clerical  Delegates  went  out  to  distant  camps 
to  preach. 

Evident  it  was,  however,  that  the  campaign  was  not  yet  ended, 
and  arrangements  were  perfected,  so  that  the  Commission  could  go 
with  the  army  whenever  it  should  again  advance.  Two  four-horse 
wagons  were  carefully  loaded,  principally  with  condensed  food,  stimu- 
lants and  clothing,  and  a  party  was  selected  from  the  Delegates  to 
go  forward.  It  was  arranged  that  the  remaining  Delegates  should 
return  to  Alexandria  by  rail,  and  be  ready  to  open  communication 
with  the  army  at  the  first  point  of  supply,  wherever  it  might  be. 
Either  Acquia  Creek  or  Fredericksburg  was,  by  many  persons,  sup- 
posed to  be  the  destination  of  the  army. 

Early  on  Thanksgiving  morning  the  troops  were  moving.  The 
tents  were  struck,  the  horses  harnessed,  final  arrangements  made,  and 
at  noon  we  joined  the  long  line  of  headquarter  wagons,  and  started 
out  upon  a  journey  whose  destination  was  veiled  in  utter  obscurity. 
The  next  day  the  Rapidan  was  safely  passed,  and  "  Robinson's  Tav- 
ern," a  wooden  structure  at  the  intersection  of  two  roads  in  the 
"  Wilderness,"  was  reached  the  following  morning.  Here  everything 
came  to  a  full  stop.  The  Third  Corps,  crossing  the  river  a  few  miles 
to  the  right  of  us,  were  attacked  on  the  second  day,  and  a  fight  of 
unusual  severity  resulted.  The  wounded,  numbering  five  or  six 
hundred,  were  taken  from  the  field  and  placed  in  ambulances,  parked 
in  a  field  about  one  mile  from  the  Tavern.  The  weather  was  very 
cold,  the  nights  being  intensely  bitter,  and  the  condition  of  the 
wounded  was  truly  pitiable.  Blankets  were  unusually  scarce,  and 
in  the  morning  it  was  a  sad  sight  to  see  the  chilled  and  shivering 
sufferers.  A  large  fireplace  was  soon  built,  and  all  were  busy  pre- 
paring hot  milk  punch  and  hot  coffee,  or  in  taking  it  from  wagon  to 
wagon  until  it  was  too  late  to  do  more.  Early  in  the  morning  the 
same  course  was  pursued.  Milk  punch  was  given  freely,  by  the  re- 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  397 

quest  and  approval  of  the  surgeons,  and  coffee,  made  nutritious  with 
milk  and  sugar,  was  taken  to  all.  In  some  cases  the  division  wagon 
containing  food  and  cooking  utensils  was  delayed  in  coming  to  the 
hospital,  so  that  many  were  almost  entirely  dependent  upon  the 
Christian  Commission  for  food.  On  Sunday  and  Monday  most  of 
the  wounded  were  removed  from  ambulances  and  laid  in  hospital 
tents ;  but  the  suffering  from  cold  was  still  very  great.  All  this  time 
we  were  expecting  the  great  battle  would  begin.  Both  armies  were 
in  position,  and  although  the  line  of  defence  held  by  the  enemy  was 
very  strong  it  was  expected  an  assault  would  be  made,  and  we  thought 
with  sinking  hearts  of  the  unspeakable  agony  that  must  then  ensue. 
Cut  off  entirely  from  any  base  of  supply,  food  and  forage  already,  in 
some  places,  beginning  to  fail,  and  the  cold  becoming  more  and  more 
intense,  we  could  not  but  hope  most  earnestly  that  the  cup  might 
this  time  pass  away. 

Tuesday  the  order  came  to  return.  The  wounded  were  placed 
again  in  ambulances,  and  we  repacked  our  wagons  and  took  the 
place  assigned  to  us  at  the  head  of  the  train,  thus  avoiding  delay 
when  coming  to  a  halt  at  night.  The  Rapidan  was  recrossed  in 
safety,  and  as  the  night  came  on  the  train  was  parked  in  a  field 
near  its  banks.  It  was  already  late,  and  not  a  moment  to  be  lost. 
A  fire  was  kindled,  water  heated,  buckets  of  milk  punch  prepared 
and  taken  to  those  most  exhausted.  Coffee  and  soda  biscuit,  care- 
fully husbanded  for  the  occasion,  were  then  distributed  in  all  parts 
of  the  camp.  Early  in  the  morning  the  same  work  was  repeated 
until  the  order  to  march  was  given.  Another  day's  cruel  march. 
Until  near  midnight  cutting  our  way  through  almost  impassable 
swamps  and  forests,  at  length,  as  we  could  get  no  further,  we  were 
ordered  into  park  on  a  low,  flat  marsh.  An  unpromising  place  it 
was.  No  wood,  no  water,  and  yet  something  must  be  prepared  for 
those  men,  who,  many  of  them  starting  off  without  a  breakfast,  have 
undergone  the  pains  of  hunger  all  this  long  day,  else  they  will  surely 
perish.  Wood  is  sought  and  found  a  quarter  of  a  mile  away,  and 
brought  on  shoulders  to  the  camp.  A  detail  of  soldiers  is  given, 
and  they,  after  a  long  hunt  in  the  darkness,  return  with  pails  of 
water.  The  fire  is  kindled,  the  water  heated,  and  brandy  punch 
made,  and  taken  from  ambulance  to  ambulance,  until  at  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning  it  is  declared  that  all  have  been  reached.  In  the 


398  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

morning  the  promise  is  given  us  that  the  train  shall  not  start  until 
we  have  fed  them  all.  More  extensive  arrangements  for  a  breakfast 
are  made,  the  remaining  barrels  of  crackers  are  opened,  and,  with 
hot  coffee,  distributed  throughout  the  train. 

Brandy  Station,  left  behind  us  just  one  week  before,  as  we  then 
hoped,  forever,  was  welcomed  as  a  link  once  more  connecting  us 
with  a  civilized  world.  One  week  previously  we  had  gone  forth 
with  heavy  loads  and  minds  doubtful  of  the  way  before  us.  Now 
wre  returned  with  wagons  empty  and  hearts  full  of  gratitude  that  we 
had  been  privileged  to  minister  to  so  many  suffering  soldiers.  A 
tent  was  pitched  near  to  the  ambulances,  and  until  the  wounded 
were  loaded  upon  the  cars  the  Delegates  remained  with  them,  and 
then,  accompanying  them  to  Alexandria,  helped  to  convey  them  to 
comfortable  beds  at  the  hospitals.  Such  expressions  of  gratitude  are 
seldom  heard  as  fell  from  a  hundred  lips  that  night.  The  badge  of 
the  Christian  Commission  was  a  sure  passport  to  the  heart  of  any  one 
of  those  who  passed  through  that  terrible  ordeal  during  those  "seven 
days  in  the  Wilderness."  "Winter  quarters"  are  at  length  ordered, 
the  active  campaign  is  closed,  and  the  quiet  winter  days  are  to  follow 
its  months  of  toil  and  blood. 

Rev.  H.  O.  Howland,  writing  from  Windmill  Paint 
Hospital,  Feb.  19,  1863,  thus  describes  the  first  meeting 
held  at  that  hospital,  which  opened  the  way  for  the 
subsequent  religious  work  in  the  army:  — 

Last  Sabbath  the  brethren  of  the  Christian  Commission  kept 
holy-day  at  Windmill  Point  Hospital.  Leave  was  obtained  to 
occupy  a  vacant  cook-house  as  a  place  of  worship.  Three  soldiers 
were  kindly  detailed  to  aid  us  in  procuring  a  stove,  seats,  etc.,  for 
the  house.  A  carpenter  made  me  an  arm-chair,  and  a  table  was  pro- 
cured. With  barrels  sawed  in  two,  and  scantling  and  hospital  bed- 
steads, we  made  seats  enough  and  the  house  was  ready.  The  rain 
which  beat  upon  our  tent  as  the  morning  dawned  was  most  unwel- 
come, and  led  us  to  fear  a  failure.  But  God  had  in  reserve  for  us  a 
signal  and  glorious  success.  At  10  A.M.  Brother  Pitcher,  a  Delegate 
from  Washington,  preached,  and  forty-five  were  present.  I  was 
requested  to  preach  at  2  p.  M.,  and  sixty  came.  In  the  evening  we 


AKMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  399 

packed  the  house,  and  there  were  over  two  hundred  present.  It  was 
a  meeting  for  prayer  and  conference,  and  after  three  hours  it  was 
difficult  to  close  the  meeting.  Fifty-one  rose  to  express  a  desire  for 
the  prayers  of  God's  people.  The  Holy  Spirit  was  there.  The  sol- 
diers seemed  overjoyed.  Many  said  it  was  the  first  opportunity  they 
had  enjoyed  of  attending  a  religious  service  since  being  in  the  army. 
Many  took  once  more  a  stand  for  God  and  showed  their  colors  in 
the  presence  of  their  comrades.  Both  for  the  soldiers  and  the  Dele- 
gates it  was  a  joyful  day.  We  have  had  a  meeting  every  evening 
since, —  good  meetings  every  one. 

The  following  account  of  the  prayer-meetings  held  at 
Stoneman's  Station,  in  April,  1863,  is  from  the  report 
of  Rev.  Geo.  E.  Street.  This  station  was  well  situated, 
very  accessible  to  the  camps,  and  during  the  seven  weeks 
of  its  existence  maintained,  as  did  all  the  other  stations 
of  the  Commission,  a  prayer-meeting  every  evening: — 

At  the  second  meeting  it  seemed  to  us  that  the  Lord  had  a  blessed 
work  in  store  for  us.  The  tent  was  crowded.  We  immediately 
procured  another.  That,  too,  was  soon  full.  The  first  characteristic 
of  the  meetings  was  the  penitent  confession  of  backsliders.  We 
spent  many  hours  conversing  with  such.  This  was  our  order  of 
exercises:  Singing  until  the  men  were  all  packed  in  their  seats;  then 
prayer,  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  and  a  short  sermon  of  twenty 
minutes;  then  the  meetings  were  thrown  open  to  all  for  an  hour. 
There  was  usually  great  freedom.  Some  thrilling  experiences  were 
narrated,  melting  exhortations  from  returning  backsliders  or  new 
converts.  At  taps  or  roll-call  we  would  close.  But  closing  was  no 
easy  matter.  The  pronouncing  of  the  benediction  did  not  dismiss  a 
large  number,  who  still  remained  to  converse,  to  get  tracts  and  Tes- 
taments for  themselves  or  others,  or  to  inquire  the  way  of  salvation. 
At  last  we  added  another  tent,  making  four  in  all,  accommodating 
nearly  four  hundred.  Beyond  this  limit  we  hardly  thought  it  advisa- 
ble to  go;  we  therefore  encouraged  our  lay  helpers  to  establish 
meetings  in  their  own  regiments,  which  was  done  in  several  with 
great  effect.  One  pious  captain,  who  met  with  us  till  he  found  no 


400  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

room  for  himself,  started  meetings  which  were  blessed  in  the  conver- 
sion of  sixty  in  his  regiment.  For  seven  weeks  the  meetings  were 
held  every  evening  and  always  with  the  richest  results.  The  last 
Sunday  evening  I  attended  there  will  never  be  forgotten.  The  tents 
were  packed  to  suffocation,  and  about  a  hundred  stood  outside,  whom 
a  Delegate,  Kev.  Edwin  Johnson,  took  off  by  themselves  for  a 
separate  meeting  in  the  open  air.  Never  shall  I  forget  that  ex- 
pectant crowd  of  men,  who  sat  eagerly  devouring  every  word  I 
uttered.  Saints  were  anxious  for  sinners,  and  sinners  were  anxious 
for  themselves.  When  the  meeting  was  thrown  open  for  all,  a  cap- 
tain got  up  and  said  that  his  colonel  (M'Allister,  Eleventh  N.  J.) 
had  sent  him  over  to  deliver  a  note  to  the  Christian  Commission.  He 
had  never  seen  anything  like  this  meeting  in  the  army;  hoped  God 
would  be  with  us.  The  envelope  contained  forty  dollars,  a  contribu- 
tion from  his  regiment.  Every  hill-top  in  our  vicinity,  on  that 
blessed  evening,  resounded  with  praise.  It  seemed  like  another 
Pentecost.  Little  meetings  were  extemporized  all  over  the  fields ; 
so  that,  I  am  told,  one  could  walk  nowhere  without  stumbling  on  a 
group  of  soldiers  praying. 

Kev.  C.  E.  Fisher  gives  the  following  description  of 
the  work  at  the  Third  Corps  station,  in  September :  — 

On  Monday  I  came  to  this  station  and  began  my  work.  Here  I 
have  been  now  a  full  week.  There  are  a  great  many  troops  around 
us.  We  distributed  during  the  past  week  more  than  2,700  papers, 
nearly  5,000  pages  of  tracts,  200  Testaments,  nearly  200  miscellane- 
ous books,  held  eight  meetings  in  one  chapel  tent,  and  several  others 
in  different  parts  of  the  corps.  There  is  a  very  encouraging  state  of 
religious  interest  among  the  men  who  attend  our  meetings.  Many 
are  refreshed,  and  some  are  converted.  The  work  is  growing  and 
spreading.  Our  work  is  affecting  the  chaplains  very  favorably. 
They  are  becoming  more  active  and  earnest,  and  our  tent  is  a  rally- 
ing point  for  all  Christian  labor  in  this  section. 

The  work  at  this  station  continued  about  three  weeks, 
and  increased  in  power  until  closed  by  the  sudden  move- 
ment of  the  corps.  Months  afterwards  it  was  found  that 


AEMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  401 

the  work  of  grace  there  begun  was  still  continued,  and 
that  eighteen  prayer-meetings  had  been  organized  in 
different  parts  of  the  corps,  and  sustained  by  the  soldiers, 
as  one  result  of  the  influence  of  this  station. 

The  Assistant  Field  Agent,  Mr.  J.  R.  Miller,  writes 
as  follows  from  Bealeton,  September  8,  1863 :  — 

General  Meade  and  staff  were  at  service  last  Sabbath  morning. 
Two  of  his  staff  are  known  to  be  religious  men,  and  take  part  in  reli- 
gious services.  I  have  noticed  myself, — and  Captain  P.,  of  General 
Meade's  staff,  remarked  the  same, — that  there  .is  a  marked  change 
in  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  around  headquarters  during  the 
past  month.  Every  Sabbath  grows  stiller  and  quieter.  I  was  at 
headquarters  last  Sabbath  morning.  It  was  the  calmest  and  most 
like  the  Sabbath  of  any  day  I  have  spent  in  this  army.  I  blessed 
God  for  it.  Flags  were  down,  offices  were  closed,  and  none  but  the 
most  important  business  was  transacting.  General  Patrick  called  at 
our  tent,  conversed  for  a  half  hour,  inquired  concerning  arrangements 
for  service  during  the  day,  selected  some  books,  papers,  etc.,  and 
then  attended  services  himself,  morning  and  afternoon.  He  says, 
"  We  have  just  got  what  we  want.  We  have  talked  the  matter  (of 
having  services  at  headquarters)  over  many  times,  and  have  made 
efforts  to  have  the  end  accomplished.  Burnside  tried  it,  and  sent  off 
for  ministers,  but  the  services  never  succeeded  in  awakening  interest. 
Now  we  have  the  very  thing  we  want,  and  we  mean  to  keep  it." 
Soldiers  are  becoming  most  deeply  interested  themselves  at  all  our 
stations,  and  I  believe  that  we  have  never  had  so  much  encourage- 
ment to  work.  At  our  chaplains'  meeting  last  Saturday  morning 
there  were  twenty-seven  chaplains  present. 

The  following  extracts,  from  a  letter  written  by  Rev. 
S.  E.  Fitz  to  Mr.  Demond,  gives  a  view  of  stations  at 
the  front  in  August:  — 

August  9th  I  came  to  this  place  (Bealeton).  The  next  day  we 
pitched  our  large  chapel  tent,  which  will  accommodate  over  two 
hundred  men,  and  before  night  had  established  a  "  station "  of  the 

51 


402  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Christian  Commission.  Of  this  station  I  have  had  the  charge  up  to 
this  time.  Bealeton  is  the  name  of  a  railroad  station  four  miles  from 
the  Rappahannock  river,  and  is  now  the  principal  supply  depot  of 
the  army.  This  station  was  established  not  so  much  for  working 
directly  among  the  men  of  the  army  as  for  furnishing  a  headquarters 
of  the  Commission.  Hither  come  all  the  soldiers'  reading-matter  and 
the  hospital  stores  sent  by  the  Commission  to  the  army,  and  hence 
it  is  distributed  to  our  other  stations,  viz.,  at  Rappahannock  Station, 
Third  Corps  Station,  Army  Headquarters,  and  Warrenton.  The 
Delegates,  as  they  come  to  the  field,  stop  here,  whence  they  are 
despatched  to  the  other  stations.  We  thus  obviate  the  necessity  of 
having  a  large  amount  of  supplies  far  away  from  the  railroad,  where 
they  would  be  liable  to  loss  in  case  of  a  sudden  movement  of  the 
army.  A  few  weeks  ago  we  were  ordered  to  be  ready  to  move  at 
ten  minutes'  notice,  and  since  then  we  have  kept  things  close.  But 
the  employment  here  has  not  been  solely  that  of  a  forwarding  agent. 
Situated  as  we  are,  at  the  present  real  terminus  of  the  railroad,  we 
have  a  good  opportunity  to  influence  nearly  all  parts  of  the  army 
through  large  numbers  of  officers  and  men  who  frequent  the  place, 
on  their  way  to  and  from  Washington,  or  are  here  on  business.  See- 
ing our  large  tent,  with  its  signs,  "  United  States  Christian  Commis- 
sion," and  having  a  moment  or  more  to  stop,  they  are  continually 
coming  in,  and  with  a  grasp  of  the  hand  tell  how  glad  they  are  that 
the  Commission  is  here.  Seldom  if  ever  do  they  go  away  empty- 
handed.  They  gladly  take  papers  and  books,  from  a  single  one  up 
to  two  or  three  hundred,  to  distribute  in  their  regiments.  But  our 
opportunity  for  good  does  not  rest  here.  We  have  near  us  two  small 
regiments  and  the  wagon-train  of  the  First  Army  Corps.  Every 
evening  we  hold  a  prayer-meeting  or  have  preaching.  They  are 
truly  soldiers'  meetings,  attended  and  carried  on  by  soldiers.  They 
fill  our  tent,  for  the  love  of  the  meetings,  and  we  have  proof  that 
they  get  good.  Our  work  thus  far  seems  to  be  chiefly  to  reinfoi-ce 
and  draw  out  men  who,  as  they  say,  "  were  church  members  at  home." 
Some  have  not  heard  preaching  before  since  joining  the  army. 
"  These  meetings  are  so  like  home,"  say  they.  Men  come  four  miles 
on  horseback  to  attend  an  evening  prayer-meeting.  We  have  near 
us  an  encampment  of  contrabands,  who  are  employed  about  the 
depot.  They  come  to  us  for  primers,  simple  reading,  etc.,  in  which 


ARMY    OF   THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  403 

we  give  them  lessons.  Here  as  every  where  they  have  brought  their 
religion  with  them.  We  have  meetings  with  them,  and  they  quite  often 
have  "  praise-meetings "  by  themselves.  Our  distribution  of  hospi- 
tal stores  is  on  the  increase.  There  is  a  great  demand  for  diarrhoea 
and  dysentery  medicines.  Extract  of  ginger,  sweet-gum  bark,  black- 
berry brandy,  wines,  and  syrups,  are  very  efficacious. 

We  have  to  do,  for  the  most  part,  with  well  men  in  active  life,  yet 
with  those  who  may  at  any  moment  be  called  on  to  fight  again,  as 
they  did  at  Gettysburg,  and  very  many  to  die.  How  can  we  as 
Christian  men  fail  to  press  home  to  the  soldier  his  need  of  Jesus  to 
keep  his  soul  from  death?  The  army  is  everywhere  open  to  the 
Commission.  Officers  of  every  rank,  privates,  contrabands,  all  hail 
our  coming  and  presence.  In  General  Patrick,  Provost-Marshal 
General,  and  in  General  Pleasanton,  especially,  do  we  find  support. 
General  Patrick  is  almost  fatherly  in  his  interest  for  us.  He  says 
the  Commission  must  go  with  the  army.  The  "God  bless  you"  of 
many  a  private  proves  their  appreciation  of  the  Christian  Commis- 


The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  written  by  one  of 
the  agents  of  the  Commission,  exhibits  the  work  of  a 
"  picket  station":  — 

Two  or  three  days  before  the  army  started  for  Mine  Run,  the  Gene- 
ral Field  Agent  sent  me  off  with  six  men  and  a  chapel  tent,  without 
any  definite  instructions,  except  to  put  up  the  tent  and  work  on  the 
Sabbath.  It  rained  pell-mell  all  day  (Saturday).  Had  no  informa- 
tion where  anybody  was.  Went  out  to  about  where  the  first  division, 
Second  Corps,  was  afterwards  encamped.  Put  up  chapel  tent,  in  a 
pouring  shower,  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening.  Lay  down  in  the 
softest  mud  of  Virginia.  But  the  next  day  was  perfectly  beautiful. 
The  tent  was  crowded  three  times  with  men  hungry  as  wolves  for  the 
gospel.  We  had  also  a  large  number  of  open-air  exercises,  three  or 
four  apiece,  and  thanked  God  that  we  had  pushed  out  into  the  dark, 
since  we  all  felt  that  we  were  led  by  His  hand.  I  never  rejoiced 
more  over  a  day's  work  than  that  which  we  did  in  the  muddiest  of 
clothes,  in  that  unexplored  spot,  feeling  as  seldom  our  weakness,  but 
sustained  by  the  unseen  Hand.  The  next  day  the  order  came  for  the 


404  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

corps  to  advance,  and  we  were  barely  able  to  reach  Brandy  Station 
in  time  to  join  the  party  who  went  with  the  array  to  Mine  Run. 

The  following  extract  from  a  report  by  Rev.  C.  P. 
Lyford,  of  four  months'  work  at  Camp  Convalescent,  will 
fairly  represent  that  of  the  entire  year.  The  number 
of  men  thrown  together  here,  convalescents,  paroled 
prisoners,  and  stragglers  from,  and  constantly  going  to, 
every  regiment  in  the  service, 'varied  from  five  to  twenty 
thousand.  This  was  ever  a  most  inviting  and  promising 
field  for  missionary  effort  and  one  which  was  thoroughly 
improved :  — 

On  the  18th  of  March  the  permanent  agent  arrived  in  the  camp, 
with  his  wife,  and  immediately  entered  upon  his  duties.  Religious 
services  were  held  in  the  chapel  tent,  which  was  found  to  be  altoge- 
ther too  small  to  accommodate  the  crowds  that  were  disposed  to 
attend.  The  building  of  the  chapel  itself  was  soon  commenced,  and 
in  a  few  weeks  completed.  Though  it  would  contain  more  than  five 
hundred  it  was  yet  too  small,  and,  after  it  had  been  packed  to  its 
utmost  capacity,  the  men  would  still  gather  around  the  door  and 
windows,  as  long  as  they  could  get  within  hearing,  to  listen  to  the 
word  of  life.  As  soon  as  the  dry  summer  weather  came  on  the 
preaching  service  was  held  in  the  open  air,  seats  being  arranged  in 
the  beautiful  pine-grove  around  the  chapel,  and  here  thousands 
heard  the  gospel  daily.  The  autumn  came  again,  the  chapel  had 
been  enlarged  so  as  to  accommodate  from  ten  to  twelve  hundred 
men.  We  shall  not  be  able  to  state  anything  like  the  exact  amount 
of  labor  performed  during  our  four  months'  stay  in  this  delightful 
place.  Three  meetings  were  held  every  day,  without  exception, — 
prayer-meeting  in  the  morning,  inquiry  or  class-meeting  in  the  after- 
noon, and  preaching  every  evening,  except  Saturday,  when  a  general 
experience-meeting  was  substituted.  This  does  not  include  the  ser- 
vices that  were  constantly  held  in  the  hospital  during  the  week  and 
on  the  Sabbath ;  and  in  addition  to  it  all  was  the  distribution  of 
stores  and  immense  quantities  of  reading-matter,  personal  conversa- 
tion and  prayer  with  men  in  the  barracks  and  hospital,  burial  of  the 


ARMY    OF   THE    POTOMAC. 1863.  1<>.~> 

dead,  Bible-classes,  temperance-meetings,  etc.  The  fruits  of  this 
work  must  also  remain  in  great  part  unknown  till  "  angels  shout  the 
harvest  home,"  and  yet  many  of  these  fruits  appeared  to  cheer  and 
encourage  us.  We  ever  felt,  as  did  also  the  men,  that  at  each  meet- 
ing some  were  hearing  the  gospel  that  would  never  hear  it  again ; 
that  some  were  going  direct  from  that  meeting  to  the  eternal  world, 
and  a  great  solemnity  always  pervaded  our  congregations.  The  first 
meeting  that  we  held  four  men  arose  for  prayers ;  the  next,  ten ;  and 
then  the  number  rapidly  fncreased ;  and  while  there,  we  do  not  know 
that  a  single  day  passed  without  many  happy  conversions  to  God. 
The  number  of  earnest,  deeply  penitent  seekers  ranged  all  the  way 
from  five  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  every  night.  How  many 
were  converted,  how  many  carried  their  convictions  with  them  a-nd 
subsequently  found  Jesus,  how  many  dying  on  the  field  of  battle 
remembered  that  at  Camp  Convalescent  they  had  been  pointed  to 
Christ,  and  there  "  looked  and  lived,"  can  never  be  known  in  this 
life.  The  most  interesting  cases  were  constantly  occurring.  Infidels 
were  converted  ;  drunkards  were  saved  ;  backsliders  were  reclaimed; 
husbands,  whose  wives  were  praying  for  their  salvation,  sent  home 
the  glad  tidings  that  at  last  they  were  ready  to  join  them  in  Christian 
life.  The  men,  constantly  going  to  their  regiments  and  to  different 
parts  of  the  country,  carried  the  fire  with  them,  and  other  revival 
fires  were  kindled,  and  throughout  the  whole  laud  the  results  of  this 
glorious  work  appear. 

Rev.  B.  F.  Hamilton  gives  the  following  sketch 
of  the  work  of  the  Commission  at  Camp  Parole,  An- 
napolis :  — 

Camp  Parole  is  the  general  rendezvous  for  all  the  paroled  soldiers 
of  our  army.  There  have  been  present  during  the  summer  about 
six  thousand  men,  but  the  aggregate  of  all  those  who  have  stopped 
here  for  a  short  period  is  much  greater.  They  came  directly  from 
Richmond,  weary,  disheartened  and  destitute,  having  been  robbed  <>i 
everything  valuable  by  their  captors.  The  treatment  they  m-rivo 
while  prisoners  of  war  greatly  impairs  the  health  of  the  nu-n.  :m«l 
consequently  the  hospital  has  been  filled  with  very  sick  pat  Suits.  It 
has  been  our  purpose  to  minister  to  the  spiritual  and  temporal  wants 


406  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

of  these  unfortunate  men.  When  "new  recruits"  arrive  in  camp, 
our  first  care  is  to  see  that  they  are  supplied  with  Testaments.  These 
are  generally  received  with  the  remark,  "I  left  mine  in  my  knap- 
sack;" or,  "the  rebs  got  mine;"  but  sometimes  a  well-worn  copy  is 
produced,  with  the  observation,  "  I  always  carry  mine  here  in  my 
side  pocket."  That  man  generally  inquires  for  the  prayer-meetings. 
They  are  thus  supplied  with  various  little  books  and  tracts  written 
for  soldiers  and  a  variety  of  our  best  religious  papers.  These  are 
gratefully  accepted,  and  there  is  abundant  reason  to  believe  that  seed 
has  been  sown  in  this  way  which  has  borne  fruit.  An  interesting 
young  man,  who  has  recently  obtained  a  hope  in  Christ,  said  to  me, 
"That  tract  (the  'Passport')  you  gave  me  the  other  day,  led  me  to 
decide  the  matter  at  once."  Another  points  to  something  he  read 
in  the  "Flag  Paper"  as  the  means,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  of  his 
conversion,  while  many  have  resolved  to  abstain  from  swearing  after 
reading  that  valuable  little  tract  "  Don't  Swear."  A  very  readable 
library,  containing  over  nine  hundred  volumes,  and  a  reading-room, 
with  fifteen  daily  and  Aveekly  papers,  have  been  secured  for  the  use 
of  the  men.  But  the  most  interesting  and  profitable  part  of  the 
work  here  has  been  in  laboring  for  the  conversion  of  these  men.  To 
this  end  three  prayer-meetings  and  one  Bible  exercise  were  held  each 
week,  besides  the  regular  preaching  services  on  the  Sabbath.  Great 
efforts  were  made  to  talk  with  the  men  privately,  and  to  impress 
upon  them  the  importance  of  making  religion  a  personal  matter. 
The  meetings  were  generally  well  attended  and  deeply  interesting. 
It  soon  became  necessary  to  give  up  the  old  chapel-tent,  and  a  large 
booth  was  made.  In  this  rude  temple  hundreds  assembled  to  worship 
God.  It  was  evident  that  the  Holy  Spirit,  with  his  converting  power, 
was  present  with  us.  Professing  Christians  were  revived,  backsliders 
reclaimed,  and  sinners  awakened.  Never  have  I  heard  more  earnest 
exhortations  or  importunate  prayers  than  from  these  war-worn  sol- 
diers. They  were  not  satisfied  with  the  regular  daily  prayer-meet- 
ings, but  little  impromptu  meetings  were  held  under  a  neighboring 
tree,  or  in  the  adjoining  woods.  A  thoughtless  young  man  attended 
one  of  these  little  meetings  out  of  curiosity,  but  before  it  closed  he 
requested  that  some  one  would  pray  for  him,  and  the  next  day  he 
was  rejoicing  in  hope.  At  the  close  of  a  very  solemn  meeting  I 
walked  to  a  secluded  spot,  to  converse  with  an  inquiring  soldier,  but 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  — 1864.  407 

we  found  the  place  pre-occupiecl  by  a  number  of  men  who  were 
wrestling  with  God  in  prayer  for  the  conversion  of  some  particular 
individuals.  Perhaps  there  have  been  more  marked  instances  of 
conversion  in  the  hospital  than  in  the  carnp.  In  making  my  usual 
rounds  through  the  hospitals  I  found  a  number  of  rude  men  talking 
boisterously  in  a  ward  where  a  very  sick  man  was  lying.  It  seemed 
almost  useless  to  introduce  the  subject  of  religion  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, and  after  distributing  some  reading-matter  to  the  men, 
and  giving  a  word  of  encouragement  to  the  patient,  I  was  on  the 
point  of  leaving  the  room,  but  a  moment's  reflection  convinced  me 
that  I  had  not  done  my  duty  to  that  man.  I  returned  to  his  bed- 
side, addressed  a  few  general  remarks  to  all  in  the  room  on  the 
importance  of  making  religion  a  personal  matter,  and  then  conversed 
with  the  sick  man ;  found  that  he  had  no  hope  in  Christ,  but  was 
very  anxious  for  his  soul's  salvation ;  tried  to  point  him  to  the 
Saviour,  and  offered  up  a  prayer  in  his  behalf.  To  my  surprise  every 
man  in  the  room  kneeled  during  the  prayer,  with  the  exception  of 
the  sick  man,  and  he,  throwing  his  arms  around  my  neck,  exclaimed, 
"  God  bless  you !  I  will  try  to  become  a  Christian."  In  a  few  days 
he  died,  rejoicing  in  hope. 

[YEAK    1864.] 

No  essential  change  in  organization  was  needed  in 
conducting  the  field  work  of  the  Commission  during  the 
early  months  of  1864,  in  which  the  army  lay  in  winter 
quarters.  Two  experienced  assistant  field  agents,  C.  W. 
Jenkins  and  Rev.  E.  F.  Williams,  personally  superin- 
tended it,  establishing  fifteen  stations,  so  located  in  the 
long  line  of  encampments  as  to  make  every  regiment  and 
battery  easily  accessible.  From  three  to  six  Delegates 
were  assigned  to  each  of  these,  one  of  their  number  acting 
as  the  station  agent.  The  work  during  the  first  four 
months  of  the  year  was  almost  entirely  of  a  religious 
character.  Meetings  were  held  at  each  station,  in  a  large 
chapel  tent  or  room,  every  evening.  Services  were  con- 


408  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

ducted  in  the  camps  on  the  Sabbath.  Bible  classes  and 
Christian  Associations  were  formed.  Keligious  reading 
was  distributed  every  week  freely  and  thoroughly.  An 
equally  important  work  was  accomplished  by  aiding 
chaplains  in  their  arduous  and  responsible  duties.  This 
was  done  by  providing  each  with  a  canvas  "fly"  or 
sheet,  sufficiently  large  to  cover  a  log  chapel  thirty  feet 
long  and  twenty  feet  wide.  With  this  canvas  covering 
was  also  given  a  sheet-iron  stove  and  pipe,  lumber  for 
desk  and  table,  hymn  books  for  a  choir,  and  books, 
letter-paper,  ink,  and  pens,  so  as  to  make  each  building 
complete  as  a  chapel  and  reading-room. 

In  preparing  for  the  active  campaign,  which  promised 
to  be  one  of  unusual  severity,  important  changes  were 
made.  The  limits  of  the  field  assigned  to  the  General 
Field  Agent  were  extended,  so  as  to  include  all  forces 
operating  against  Richmond,  while  the  permanent  hos- 
pitals and  camps  in  Maryland  and  Washington  were 
placed  under  the  control  of  the  District  Committee. 
Permanent  agents  were  secured  for  each  army  corps. 
Strong  four-horse  wagons,  with  complete  battle-field 
equipments,  were  provided,  to  enable  the  corps  agents  to 
keep  with  the  troops  in  their  marches,  and  to  be  promptly 
at  hand  when  the  field  hospitals  were  opened. 

Early  in  the  campaign  the  Individual  Relief  Depart- 
ment was  organized,  and  placed  in  charge  of  experienced 
agents,  whose  duties  were  to  answer  all  letters  of  inquiry 
received  by  the  Commission,  and  attend  to  all  business 
connected  with  the  transmission  of  money  or  packages 
from  soldiers  at  the  front  to  their  friends  at  home.  This 
business  rapidly  increased  as  the  year  advanced.  Thou- 
sands of  letters  were  received  from  parents,  wives,  and 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1864.  409 

sisters,  earnestly  imploring  aid  in  finding  some  dear 
friend  reported  to  be  "killed,  wounded,  or  missing." 
To  answer  these  letters  often  involved  a  long  and  diffi- 
cult search,  first  at  the  regiment,  then  at  the  field  hos- 
pital, then  in  the  post  hospital  or  camp.  By  the  sys- 
tem adopted  there  was,  however,  usually  but  little  delay 
in  learning  the  facts  desired,  and  in  sending  the  answer 
which  was  to  confirm  the  heart's  worst  fears  or  to  glad- 
den with  news  of  safety  and  health.  Thousands  of 
packages,  containing  the  effects  of  soldiers  shot  in  battle, 
or  dying  in  hospitals,  were  brought  by  comrades  or 
Delegates  to  be  sent  by  special  messenger  to  Washington, 
whence  they  could  be  safely  delivered  by  express.  These 
were  often  but  little  mementoes  of  the  heroic  dead, — a 
pocket-knife,  a  diary,  or  well-worn  Testament, — but 
they  were  precious  beyond  estimate.  Money  to  the 
amount  of  many  hundred  thousand  dollars  was  received 
during  the  year,  from  soldiers  who  could  not  leave  their 
regiments  for  the  purpose,  and  transmitted  to  its  desti- 
nation by  the  agents  of  this  department.  Besides  this, 
lists  of  the  wounded  at  field  hospitals  were  prepared  for 
publication,  and  graves  marked  so  that  they  could  be 
identified  should  the  remains  be  sought  for  removal  to 
another  resting-place. 

The  average  number  of  Delegates  in  the  field  was 
much  larger  than  that  of  the  last  year.  From  January 
until  the  breaking  up  of  the  winter  stations,  the  last 
week  of  April,  the  average  was  about  forty-five.  In  the 
months  of  May  and  June  the  number  varied  from  one 
hundred  to  three  hundred,  a  large  proportion  of  these 
being  "minute  men,"  who  came  for  special  work  at 
Fredericksburg,  White  House,  and  City  Point.  During 

52 


410  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  remainder  of  the  year  the  number  ranged  from  fifty 
to  seventy-five.  The  intense  heat  of  the  summer,  and 
the  trying  nature  of  the  work,  particularly  at  the  corps 
stations,  seriously  affected  the  health  of  many  Delegates 
and  shortened  their  terms  of  service.  The  corps  agents 
and  business  agents  were,  many  of  them,  prostrated  by 
sickness,  leaving  their  fields  to  be  filled  by  Delegates  or 
to  be  abandoned.  But  there  were  always  men  ready  to 
undertake  the  work,  however  irksome  it  might  be.  In- 
deed it  was  only  by  the  efficient,  self-sacrificing  labors 
of  many  noble  Delegates,  who  were  ready  to  leave  more 
congenial  employment  to  assume  the  care  of  business 
posts,  that  the  extensive  relief  operations  of  the  Com- 
mission were  sustained  through  these  trying  months. 

The  amount  of  stores  distributed  also  greatly  exceeded 
that  of  previous  years.  But  little  was  required  during 
the  winter  months  in  the  army  hospitals,  but  when  the 
campaign  opened  in  May,  an  almost  unlimited  demand 
was  created.  In  anticipation  of  this  a  steam-tug,  schooner, 
and  barge  were  chartered  to  transport  the  stores  and 
wagons  of  the  "supply  section"  of  the  Commission. 
This  section  landed  its  stores  at  Belle  Plain,  Port  Royal, 
White  House,  and  City  Point,  as  each  place  was  success- 
ively the  base  of  supply  for  the  army  in  its  march 
toward  Petersburg.  Thirteen  wagons  and  sixty  horses 
were  employed  in  transporting  supplies  and  in  equipping 
the  corps  sections  on  this  campaign.  Besides  these  means 
of  transportation,  owned  by  the  Commission,  the  use  of 
the  government  mail  boats  was  freely  granted,  by  the 
favor  of  Surgeon-General  Barnes,  so  that  as  many  as 
three  hundred  boxes  were  taken  in  a  single  trip.  The 
list  of  stores  distributed  on  this  campaign  represents  a 


ARMY    OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1864.  411 

variety  of  over  two  hundred  different  articles.  During 
the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July,  there  were,  among 
other  things,  distributed  by  the  Delegates  in  person  to 
the  soldiers  who  needed  them,  over  14,500  shirts,  10,400 
pairs  drawers,  11,500  pairs  socks,  9,000  handkerchiefs, 
23,000  pounds  of  meats,  51,000  pounds  of  corn  starch, 
farina,  and  crackers,  28,290  cans  of  milk,  7,300  pounds 
of  cocoa  and  chocolate,  1,800  pounds  of  tea,  61,700  cans 
of  fruits  and  jellies,  17,300  bottles  of  stimulants,  1,000 
boxes  of  oranges  and  lemons,  35,000  rolls  of  bandages, 
3,600  pads,  1,252  pairs  of  crutches,  200  barrels  of  vege- 
tables, 300  tons  of  ice,  and  24,000  quires  of  note  paper 
and  envelopes. 

The  following  report  of  the  General  Field  Agent  gives 
somewhat  in  detail  the  plans  and  operations  of  the 
year : — 

At  the  opening  of  the  year  1864  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  at 
rest  in  winter  quarters.  Its  vast  encampments  covering  valley,  hill, 
and  plain  for  many  miles,  comfortable,  symmetrical,  clean,  adorned 
with  gigantic  arches  and  groves  of  evergreen,  swarming  with  healthy, 
vigorous  men,  at  whose  hands  the  winter  hours  dragged  heavily, 
supplied  a  wondrously  inviting  field  for  the  highest  and  noblest  work 
of  the  Christian  Commission. 

Brandy  Station,  on  the  Orange  and  Alexandria  Railroad,  was  the 
army  base ;  and,  being  but  a  mile  from  headquarters,  with  the  First 
Corps  but  a  few  miles  to  the  Westward,  Kilpatrick's  Cavalry  and  the 
Second  Corps  a  few  miles  to  the  South,  the  Third  and  Sixth  Corps 
close  at  hand  upon  the  North,  and  the  Fifth  Corps  easily  accessible 
along  the  line  of  railway,  was  selected  as  the  most  fitting  location 
for  the  Commission  supply  station. 

It  was  resolved,  in  beginning  the  winter's  work,  to  reach  in  a 
thorough  and  effective  manner  every  regiment,  battery,  and  squadron 
in  the  army,  giving  to  each  a  regular  supply  of  good  religious  read- 
ing, comprising  Bibles,  Testaments,  Soldiers'  Hymn  Books,  religious 


412  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHBISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

papers,  of  all  denominations  and  from  all  sections  of  the  country, 
tracts  and  books,  expressly  prepared  for  this  circulation ;  and  also, 
by  establishing  stations,  each  provided  with  a  comfortable  chapel- 
tent,  to  give  to  every  man  an  opportunity  of  hearing  the  preaching 
of  the  Word.  This  plan  included,  besides  the  accustomed  features 
of  the  Commission  work,  one  entirely  new,  and  which,  while  calling 
for  a  great  outlay  of  funds  and  labor,  promised  a  rich  reward.  This 
was  nothing  less  than  a  plan  to  furnish  the  chaplains  of  each  brigade 
in  the  army  with  the  means  of  providing  themselves  with  a  commo- 
dious and  comfortable  place  of  worship.  For  two  long  winters,  owing 
to  the  expense  of  chapel-tents,  and  the  great  difficulties  attending  trans- 
portation, the  chaplains  of  the  army  had,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
been  obliged  to  forego  the  great  and  almost  indispensable  advantage 
of  having  in  their  regiments  a  suitable  place  where  they  could 
collect  the  men  under  their  charge  for  divine  worship.  It  was  a 
deprivation  sorely  felt  by  these  faithful  men,  left  as  they  were 
almost  helpless,  at  the  very  time  when  they  whose  spiritual  guides 
they  were  needed  their  guidance  most.  The  way  in  which  this  most 
desirable  end  was  to  be  attained  was  by  mutual  effort  on  the  part 
of  the  soldiers  and  the  Commission,  the  one  building  such  part  of 
the  church  as  they  were  able,  the  other  completing  the  edifice.  The 
great  difficulty  had  always  been  to  secure  material  for  the  roof.  The 
walls  could  be  put  up  with  logs  and  poles,  the  floor  and  seats  com- 
fortably prepared,  but  by  no  possibility  could  the  material  for  a 
roof,  in  the  army,  be  secured.  The  Commission,  therefore,  to  com- 
plete buildings  thus  far  advanced,  proposed  to  provide  a  large  sheet, 
or  "fly"  of  canvas,  bound  firmly  with  rope,  and  having  cords  to 
fasten  it  to  the  walls.  To  make  the  gift  more  complete,  music  books 
for  the  choir  and  a  large  stove,  with  pipe,  was  also  furnished.  This 
proposition  was  joyfully  received  alike  by  chaplains,  officers,  and 
men ;  and  brigades  vied  with  each  other  to  see  which  should  have 
the  most  beautiful  structure. 

The  field  agents  in  charge  of  the  prosecution  of  this  plan,  Rev.  C. 
W.  Jenkins  and  Rev.  E.  F.  Williams,  very  soon  had  fifteen  well- 
arranged  stations,  so  located  as  to  reach  every  part  of  the  army  with 
their  influence.  All  of  these  had  chapels,  or  some  convenient  place 
of  worship.  The  stations  situated  in  the  towns  of  Warren  ton  and 
Culpepper  used  deserted  churches  for  this  purpose.  Sixty  coverings 


ARMY   OF    THE    POTOMAC. — 1864. 


413 


for  chapel  walls  were  also  issued  to  chaplains  in  all  parts  of  the 
army ;  and  almost,  as  by  magic,  beautiful  temples,  most  tastily 
planned  and  decorated,  sprang  up  in  the  midst  of  the  camps. 

From  these  stations,  and  from  these  chapels,  an  influence,  more 
powerful  than  any  human  tongue  can  tell,  went  forth.  At  every 
station  of  the  Commission,  and  in  very  many  of  the  brigade  chapels, 
meetings  for  the  worship  of  God  were  held  each  night,  besides 
meetings  for  the  study  of  the  Bible,  which,  in  some  stations,  were 
held  daily';  and  at  all  the  presence  of  the  Divine  Spirit  was  mani- 
fest in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  men. 

The  stations  of  the  Commission  were  all,  with  the  exception  of 
those  in  the  villages,  constructed  upon  the  same  plan.  The  large 
chapel-tent,  beautifully  proportioned,  of  white  canvas,  with  an  arched 
awning  over  its  broad  door,  and  the  white  chapel-flag  floating  above 


it,  was  the  crowning  feature  of  the  station.  Within,  besides  the 
closely-arranged  seats,  was  a  table,  to  be  used  in  the  day-time  as  a 
counter  for  books  and  papers,  and  as  a  writing-table  for  such  sol- 
diers as  might  desire  to  use  it.  Sometimes  a  "bunk"  was  placed  in 
one  corner  for  the  use  of  the  Delegates,  or  any  visitors  who  might 
there  chance  to  spend  the  night.  Besides  this  tent  was  one  wall-tent, 
and  sometimes  two,  small,  but  well  floored  and  well  arranged,  and 
used  for  kitchen,  dining-room,  and  lodging.  Three  Delegates  were 
usually  at  each  station, — one  of  them  at  least  being  a  clergyman. 
The  cooking  for  the  station  was  sometimes  done  by  a  detailed  soldier, 
but  more  frequently  by  the  Delegates  themselves,  each  taking  his  turn. 


414  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

The  work  performed  at  the  station  is  of  a  varied  nature.  Early 
in  the  morning  two  of  the  Delegates,  taking  an  armful  of  papers 
and  books,  go  to  some  regiment  or  battery  in  their  field,  perhaps  a 
mile  distant,  and  distribute  these  to  the  soldiers  they  meet,  seeking 
out  the  sick,  if  there  be  any,  and  giving  an  invitation  for  all  to  come 
to  the  evening  meeting,  or  making  an  appointment  for  an  open-air 
meeting.  By  personal  conversation  they  exhort  the  soldiers  with 
whom  they  come  in  contact  to  live  holy  lives,  appealing  to  their 
better  nature  against  the  various  forms  of  sin  which  assail  them. 
At  the  tent  the  Bible-class  is  held, —  in  some  cases  forty  or  fifty  sol- 
diers attending.  In  the  course  of  the  day  many  visitors  come  to  the 
station, — chaplains,  to  get  reading  for  their  men  or  some  delicacy 
for  a  sick  man ;  officers,  for  a  copy  of  their  home  paper  or  a  book 
from  the  library ;  soldiers,  for  reading,  or  perhaps  a  towel  or  house- 
wife, or  perhaps  with  anxious  minds,  desiring  to  talk  with  the  man 
of  God  about  the  way  of  salvation.  So  the  day  passes,  each  hour 
filled  with  busy  work,  which,  although  not  recorded  on  earthly 
tablets,  leaves  an  impress  for  eternity. 

As  the  evening  hour  approaches  the  soldiers  from  all  directions 
may  be  seen  flocking  to  the  chapel.  Here  a  soldier  who,  alone,  is 
turning  his  feet  toward  the  tabernacle,  there  a  group  of  eight  or  ten 
from  a  distant  camp.  The  tent  is  soon  filled,  every  seat  and  every 
foot  of  standing-room  occupied.  The  service  begins ;  the  old  time- 
honored  hymn  is  followed  by  the  earnest  prayer,  the  tearful  exhorta- 
tion; the  anxious  ones  rise  amid  their  fellows,  asking  prayers  that 
they  too  might  receive  eternal  life.  Yes,  in  that  lowly  tabernacle, 
in  the  midst  of  camps  and  of  warlike  men,  is  found  a  sweet  foretaste 
of  the  coming  heaven. 

It  has  been  attempted  by  some  to  number  those  who  gained  a 
knowledge  of  Jesus  at  these  stations,  but  it  seems  labor  spent  in 
vain  to  do  this.  God  has  set  his  seal  upon  them,  and  "  The  Lord 
knoweth  them  that  are  His."  Indeed,  by  no  possible  array  of  figures 
or  statistics  can  the  influence  of  these  winter  stations  be  exhibited. 
None  can  ever  know  how  much  of  sin  they  have  prevented ;  how 
many  despondent,  doubting  Christians  have  been  encouraged  and 
strengthened;  how  many  seeds  of  Divine  truth,  sown  in  hearts  seem- 
ingly unmoved,  were  destined  some  future  day  to  bring  forth  perfect 
fruit.  None  can  reckon  the  value  of  that  comfort  given  to  the  faith- 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1864.  415 

ful  soldier,  who,  in  his  hard  pilgrimage,  gained  in  these  -tents  of 
prayer  the  Delectable  Mountains,  and  caught  a  view  of  the  Celes- 
tial City.  None  can  tell  how  many  weary,  heart-sick  boys  have 
found  in  these  rooms  the  sympathy  and  love  their  souls  longed  for, 
as  though  again  within  the  charmed  circle  of  home. 

In  such  labors  as  these  the  months  passed  quickly.  The  warm 
days  of  spring  came  again,  the  roads  hardened,  inspections  of  troops 
and  grand  reviews  became  frequent,  the  Lieutenant-General  appeared, 
and  raked  his  new  flag  at  Culpepper.  The  old  army  corps  were 
re-arranged,  and  we  could  not  shut  our  eyes  to  the  fact, —  the  fearful 
fact, — that  all  these  pleasant  scenes  must  end,  to  be  replaced  by 
scenes  of  blood  and  battle.  One  by  one  the  stations  were  removed. 
It  was  a  touching  sight  to  witness  the  emotions  displayed,  as,  for  the 
last  time,  the  soldiers  gathered  in  their  accustomed  place,  and  lin- 
gered, unwilling  to  tear  themselves  away  from  the  spot  which  had 
become  so  dear,  so  precious  to  their  souls. 

It  was  decided  to  organize  the  entire  force  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission for  the  active  campaign  into  sections,  each  being  in  charge 
of  an  experienced  agent,  and  being,  as  far  as  possible,  complete  in 
itself.  One  of  these  was  to  be  attached  to  each  army  corps  in  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac ;  one  to  Burnside's  corps,  which,  it  was  then 
expected,  would  act  independently  upon  a  naval  expedition ;  one 
with  the  Army  of  the  James,  which  was  collecting  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fortress  Monroe  and  Yorktown  ;  and  one  to  act  as  a  supply  section, 
charged  with  the  duty  of  opening  communication  at  the  earliest 
possible  moment  with  the  sections  in  the  army  after  an  engagement. 
The  Ninth  Corps  was  eventually  joined  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
so  that  when  the  campaign  began  our  organization  stood  thus:  — 
Section  with  Second  Corps,  Kev.  C.  W.  Jenkins  in  charge,  two 
wagons,  heavily  loaded  with  stores,  and  five  Delegates ;  section  with 
Fifth  Corps,  Rev.  E.  F.  Williams  in  charge,  one  wagon  and  six 
Delegates ;  section  in  Sixth  Corps,  Mr.  Jas.  A.  Worden  in  charge, 
one  wagon  and  five  Delegates ;  section  with  Ninth  Corps,  Mr.  F.  E. 
Shearer  in  charge,  one  wagon  and  seven  Delegates ;  section  with 
Army  of  the  James,  Tenth  and  Eighteenth  Corps,  Mr.  J.  R.  Miller 
in  charge,  one  wagon  and  ten  Delegates;  supply  section,  Mr.  H.  H. 
Clark  in  charge.  This  organization,  with  few  modifications,  was 


416  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

maintained  throughout  the  campaign,  and  proved  to  be  well  adapted 
to  the  exigencies  of  the  work. 

Thus,  our  preparations  made,  our  stations  removed,  we  had,  on 
the  1st  of  May,  freed  ourselves  from  the  incumbrances  of  the 
winter,  and  were  ready,  in  "  light  marching  order,"  to  start  at  a 
moment's  notice  upon  the  expected  "  advance."  The  order  came  at 
night  on  the  3d  of  May.  Swiftly  it  sped  along  the  lines  from  camp 
to  camp,  from  corps  to  corps.  Before  that  potent  word,  as  in  a 
twinkling,  all  was  changed ;  where  lay  the  winter's  camp,  in  all  its 
peculiar  beauty,  but  broken  walls  and  blackened  posts  remained ; 
while  the  close  columns,  marching  silently  forward  through  the 
shadows  of  the  night,  throwing  back  from  polished  gun  arid  bayonet 
blade  a  few  reflected  gleams  of  moonlight,  were  all  that  told  of  the 
winter's  rest,  all  that  foretold  the  coming  strife.  The  Rapidan  was 
safely  crossed,  the  bridges  taken  up  behind  us ;  and  then,  in  the 
close  tangle  of  the  "  Wilderness,"  began  the  conflict.  Joining  the 
flying  hospitals  of  each  corps  during  the  days  of  the  "Wilderness" 
battles,  each  section  was  vigorously  at  work.  Pitching  a  little  tent 
near  the  hospital  grounds,  some  of  the  Delegates,  preparing  a  fire- 
place and  bringing  wood  and  water,  made  large  camp-kettles  full 
of  coflee,  beef  soup,  and  milk  punch ;  while  others,  taking  wash- 
basins, soap,  bandages,  and  sponge,  with  which  they  came  provided, 
busily  labored  among  the  bloody,  fainting  men,  who  lay  in  rows 
beneath  the  canvas  awnings,  and  under  the  trees,  and  along  the 
roads.  On  all  sides  are  cases  of  distress, — this  one  calling  for  water, 
that  one  for  change  of  posture  or  dressing  for  his  wound;  here  one  in 
the  chill  of  death,  anxious  to  send  a  last  message  to  the  home  friends, 
or  to  hear  once  more  the  words  of  prayer.  What  wonder,  then,  that 
some,  forgetting  everything  but  that  unspeakable  distress  and  want 
about  them,  labored  until  they  sank  fainting  from  fatigue?  Working 
by  day,  marching  by  night,  exposed  to  rain  and  cold  and  danger, 
,  cooking  food  for  the  famishing,  binding  the  wounds  of  the  suffering, 
cheering  with  Christian  consolation  the  despondent  and  the  dying, 
doing  a  thousand  acts  of  kindness,  as  soon  forgotten  as  performed, 
these  Delegates  and  agents  of  the  Commission  staid  at  their  posts 
through  all  those  days  of  fighting  and  marching,  which  at  length 
brought  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  the  Army  of  the  James 


ARMY   OF    THE   POTOMAC.  — 1864.  417 

together,  on  either  side  of  the  Appomattox,  before  the  strong  works 
of  Petersburg. 

A  great  and  very  important  work  was  done  throughout  this  cam- 
paign by  the  supply  section,  and  by  Delegates,  who  labored  only  at 
the  various  posts  which  were  used  as  temporary  depot  hospitals.  On 
the  8th  of  May,  immediately  after  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  the 
wounded  were  placed  in  long  trains  of  ambulances  and  army  wagons, 
and  taken  to  the  city  of  Fredericksburg,  on  their  way  North.  Two 
sections  of  the  Commission,  the  sixth  and  ninth,  attended  them  on 
the  march,  and  remained  with  them  until  relief  came  by  way  of 
Belle  Plain.  In  the  course  of  the  day  the  army  of  wounded  men, 
variously  estimated  at  from  ten  to  fifteen  thousand,  was  poured  in 
upon  the  rebel  city.  Every  church  and  hall,  court-house  and  theatre, 
with  whole  blocks  and  streets  of  stores  and  dwelling-houses,  were 
taken  for  hospitals.  With  only  a  small  corps  of  surgeons,  almost 
entirely  destitute  of  food  and  medical  supplies,  having  but  few  men 
competent  to  act  as  nurses  and  attendants,  their  condition  was  pitia- 
ble and  wretched  in  the  extreme.  The  agents  and  Delegates  who 
were  with  these  men,  found  everything  which  they  had  in  their 
heavily-loaded  wagons  precious  beyond  estimate.  Barrels  of  crackers, 
sugar,  coffee,  boxes  of  milk,  brandy,  rags,  and  bandages,  soap,  chloro- 
form, plaster,  all  so  carefully  selected,  were  needed  to  save  the  very 
lives  of  men.  Literally,  thousands  of  sufferers  received  from  these 
stores,  for  two  or  three  days,  nearly  all  the  sustenance  they  had.  A 
fine  large  mansion,  furnished  throughout,  but  deserted  by  its  owners 
and  occupied  only  by  slaves,  was  taken  to  be  used  as  headquarters 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  in  anticipation  of  the  corps  of  minute 
men  expected.  They  were  soon  on  the  ground, — a  noble  army  of 
surgeons,  clergymen,  lawyers,  and  merchants,  coming  equipped  for 
work,  to  the  number  of  over  two  hundred  men.  The  agent  in  charge 
of  the  supply  section  had  succeeded  in  his  duties,  and  was  the  first 
to  land  stores  and  men  at  Belle  Plain,  the  new  base,  and  was  able 
to  minister  to  a  thousand  wounded  men,  who  had  reached  the  shore, 
before  any  other  relief  organization  was  on  the  ground.  He  brought, 
besides  tents  and  cooking  utensils,  an  additional  number  of  wagons 
and  horses,  and  a  large  stock  of  supplies,  so  that  very  soon  the 
Commission  had  most  efficient  stations  both  at  Fredericksburg  and 
at  Belle  Plain. 

53 


418  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  corps  of  Delegates  at  Fredericksburg  were  organized  in  such 
a  way  as  to  insure  the  careful  visitation  of  every  hospital  in  the  city 
and  suburbs.  A  store-room  was  opened,  and  the  supplies  received 
from  Belle  Plain  were  carefully  issued,  the  Delegates  in  nearly  every 
case  superintending  their  distribution  to  the  needy  men.  Committees 
were  appointed  to  watch  for  the  trains  of  ambulances  from  the  front, 
ready  to  give  nourishment  to  the  wounded,  or  assist  in  their  removal 
to  their  rude  hospital,  to  see  that  the  hospitals  Avere  supplied  with 
ice  and  straw,  and  to  search  the  streets  and  houses  for  any  men  who 
might  have  been  overlooked  in  the  great  throng.  The  Delegates, 
under  the  direction  of  the  corps  captains,  spent  the  day  in  assisting 
the  surgeons  and  nurses,  in  writing  letters  for  the  men,  and  holding 
prayers, —  in  some  cases  night  and  morning,  in  other  hospitals  but 
once  a  day, — in  every  ward.  Many  of  the  Delegates,  being  surgeons 
of  known  ability,  were  put  in  charge  of  hospitals  by  the  Medical 
Director,  and  others  were  made  ward-masters,  having  oversight  of 
the  army  nurses.  In  many  ways,  for  two  long  weeks,  the  Delegates 
worked  night  and  day  among  the  wounded.  Loads  of  straw  were 
"  foraged,"  and  brought  to  the  city  for  bedding ;  loads  of  ice,  found 
in  the  ice-houses  of  the  vicinity,  were  distributed ;  many  tons  of 
clothing,  fruit,  and  hospital  stores,  were  brought  from  Belle  Plain, 
and  hundreds  of  meetings  and  funerals  attended. 

For  several  days  the  wounded  were  sent,  as  fast  as  transportation 
could  be  obtained,  over  the  mountain  roads  to  Belle  Plain ;  but  the 
roads  became  so  bad  that  the  lives  of  men  were  endangered.  The 
government  finally  rebuilt  the  railroad  from  Acquia  Creek  to  Fal- 
mouth,  and  the  men  were  then  transported  very  comfortably  and 
safely  to  the  boats.  When  the  order  to  evacuate  the  city  came,  a 
tent  of  the  Commission  was  pitched  at  Falmouth,  near  the  railroad, 
where  the  wounded  were  being  loaded  upon  cars,  and  kettles  of  farina, 
coffee,  and  lemonade  prepared  and  given  to  the  poor  sufferers.  Many 
who  were  near  to  death  were  brought  there,  and  left  upon  the  ground 
in  the  cold  rain  throughout  the  night.  Several  died  there,  and 
doubtless  many  more  would  have  died  had  it  not  been  for  the  con- 
stant care  bestowed  upon  them  by  the  Delegates  of  the  Commission, 
and  the  food  and  stimulants  given.  A  constant  stream  of  men,  halt, 
lame,  and  blind,  in  ambulances,  on  crutches,  on  stretchers,  poured 
for  days  out  from  the  streets  of  Fredericksburg,  across  the  long  pon- 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1864.  419 

toon,  up  to  the  railroad  station.     Soon  all  had  gone,  and  on  the  28th 
of  May  the  "dolorous  city"  was  given  up  to  its  inhabitants. 

Leaving  Belle  Plain  when  that  post  was  broken  up,  and  remain- 
ing but  a  few  hours  at  Port  Royal,  the  supply  section  was  next  estab- 
lished at  White  House,  where,  for  two  weeks,  was  a  scene  of  remark- 
able activity.  Before  any  wounded  had  reached  this  point  a  fine 
station  had  been  established  by  Mr.  Miller,  who  now  joined  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac  with  his  section,  and  after  the  arrival  of  the  supply 
section  fifty  Delegates  were  ready  for  any  work.  Having  obtained 
notice  of  the  first  long  train  of  wounded  coming  from  the  battles  on 
the  Pamunky,  ahd  learning  that  for  thirty  hours  they  had,  many  of 
them,  been  without  food,  preparations  were  made  to  supply  them 
from  the  wagons.  It  was  found  that,  the  bridge  being  out  of  repair, 
it  would  be  necessary  for  them  to  lie  still  another  night  in  the  ambu- 
lances, about  two  miles  from  the  station,  and  across  the  river. 

The  steam-tug  chartered  by  the  Commission  to  tow  a  schooner, 
loaded  with  stores,  from  Washington,  was  loaded  with  tents,  kettles, 
crackers,  milk,  etc.,  and  a  station  set  up  on  the  other  side  of  the' 
river.  Towards  morning  the  long  train  of  wounded  arrived,  a  pite- 
ous sight,  weary  and  faint  from  pain  and  loss  of  blood ;  thirsty, 
hungry,  and  cold,  the  poor  men  could  not  restrain  their  groans  and 
cries  for  help.  Very  soon  the  hot  coffee  and  milk  biscuit  were  passed 
from  wagon  to  wagon,  while  with  basin,  sponge,  bandages,  and  gentle 
touch,  the  Delegates,  crawling  into  the  narrow  ambulances,  bathed 
the  face,  combed  out  the  hair,  removed  the  hard,  offensive  bandage 
from  the  wound,  and  put  clean,  cooling  linen  in  its  place.  A  thou- 
sand men  were  doubtless  relieved  in  these  ways  during  the  few  hours 
this  station  remained. 

But,  in  the  mean  time,  the  battles  of  Cold  Harbor  had  been  fought, 
and  many  wounded  were  coming  in  at  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night. 
An  immense  hospital  of  tents  was  established  at  White  House,  and 
the  corps  of  Delegates  were  divided  into  companies  and  assigned  to 
the  different  corps  hospitals.  Tents  were  erected  by  the  Commission, 
at  which  soldiers  could  have  their  wounds  dressed  and  be  supplied 
with  nourishing  food.  Thousands  were  in  this  way  supplied 
with  coffee  and  soup,  papers  and  books,  letter  paper  and  pencils. 
Hundreds  of  packages,  which  otherwise  would  have  been  lost,  con- 
taining the  effects  of  soldiers  who  had  been  killed,  were  taken  \o 


420  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

forward  to  their  friends.  Delegates  were  also  assigned  by  the  Medi- 
cal Director  to  go  upon  the  hospital  transports, —  in  some  cases  having 
the  entire  charge  of  nursing  and  feeding  the  wounded,  who  filled  the 
boats  throughout  the  voyage.  The  sections  at  the  front  were  also 
kept  well  supplied  from  this  station,  a  train  of  four-horse  wagons 
passing  back  and  forth  between  the  base  and  the  flying  hospitals. 

Another  "  flank  movement," — and  again  the  station  was  broken 
up,  and  moved  by  water  down  the  river,  and  up  the  James,  landing 
at  City  Point  on  the  15th  of  June.  Here  began  a  work,  which,  in 
one  respect,  that  of  place,  was  permanent.  Although  many  battles 
were  fought,  and  many  changes  occurred,  still  the  location  and  posi- 
tion of  several  stations  were  the  same  at  the  close  of  the  year  as 
those  established  in  the  month  of  June.  City  Point  was  through  all 
this  time  the  base  of  supply ;  the  sections,  with  few  changes,  re- 
mained with  their  corps,  and  the  work  of  the  Commission  went 
steadily  forward.  Stations  were  already  established  at  Bermuda 
Hundred  and  Point  of  Rocks,  the  latter  being  an  important  station 
until  the  close  of  the  year. 

From  the  1st  of  July  until  the  1st  of  December,  from  eight  to 
ten  stations  were  in  full  and  successful  operation.  One  in  each  army 
corps,  supplied  with  a  wagon  and  horses  for  independent  transporta- 
tion, moved  constantly  with  the  hospitals,  and  was  the  Commission's 
headquarters  for  that  corps, —  other  stations,  depending  upon  this  for 
support,  being  established  from  time  to  time  as  they  were  needed. 
These  stations  were  generally  manned  by  six  or  eight  Delegates,  and 
had  a  large  chapel  "fly"  neatly  pitched, — beneath  which,  in  the 
day-time,  stores  were  distributed,  and  in  the  evening  prayer-meetings 
were  held;  —  and,  in  addition,  two  or  three  smaller  tents  for  the 
accommodation  of  Delegates. 

During  the  months  of  July  and  August,  the  heat  being  excessive, 
and  the  exposure  of  our  troops  being  great,  both  from  the  frequent 
battles  and  the  damp  trenches,  a  large  quantity  of  supplies,  beyond 
what  Government  furnished,  was  needed,  and  each  station  was  sup- 
plied liberally  with  hospital  stores,  vegetables,  and  ice,  for  distribu- 
tion. The  soldiers,  worn  out  by  the  excessive  fatigue  of  the  cam- 
paign, fell,  many  of  them,  a  prey  to  disease,  and  the  hospitals  were 
always  full.  The  regular  supply  of  religious  reading  was  again 
attempted,  and,  although  often  interrupted  by  the  frequent  move- 


ARMY    OF    THE   POTOMAC. 1864.  421 

raent  of  troops,  became  a  source  of  great  good.  In  nearly  every 
station  a  prayer-meeting  was  held  each  evening,  and  most  precious 
seasons  they  were  to  many  a  soul.  Revivals  of  great  power  followed 
the  labors  at  nearly  every  station.  Battle-field  stores  were  kept  at 
all  times  on  hand;  and  at  an  hour's  notice  the  station  could  be 
removed,  packed  upon  the  wagon,  and  ready  for  a  march.  The 
Delegate  in  these  stations  had  a  twofold  work, — first,  the  systematic 
daily  visitation  of  the  field  hospitals;  second,  distribution  of  reading- 
matter,  and  preaching  in  the  open  air  to  the  soldiers  in  the  trenches 
and  along  the  lines.  In  visiting  the  field  hospitals  from  day  to  day, 
every  person  needing  special  assistance  was  sought  out,  and  if  he 
needed  food,  or  clothing,  or  book,  or  letter  written,  or  words  of  cheer 
and  Christian  counsel,  they  were  freely  given.  Whenever  a  battle 
occurred,  the  Delegates  being  near  were  promptly  on  the  ground, 
ready  to  give  such  help  as  they  could  render.  These  labors  were 
not  performed,  however,  without  many  drawbacks  and  difficulties. 
Sickness  deprived  us  from  time  to  time  of  our  most  experienced 
agents  and  Delegates,  while  the  sultry  weather  made  it  almost  im- 
possible for  Delegates  coming  from  the  North  to  undergo  the  physical 
exertion  involved  in  their  arduous  work.  But  a  kind  Providence 
led  us  on,  step  by  step ;  when  the  way  before  us  was  the  darkest 
then  the  Master  seemed  to  interpose  in  our  behalf,  and  not  a 
week  passed  without  giving  fresh  cause  for  thanksgiving  and  new 
exertions. 

Soon  after  the  occupation  of  City  Point  by  our  forces  a  depot 
hospital  was  established  on  a  broad  plain  above  the  Appomattox, 
about  one  mile  from  the  James  river.  Here  a  station  of  the  Com- 
mission was  at  once  erected.  This  hospital  partook  somewhat  of  the 
nature  of  both  a  field  and  general  hospital.  It  was  really  a  collec- 
tion of  five  distinct  hospitals,  in  which  from  four  to  ten  thousand 
men  were  collected.  Here  was  always  a  field  for  Christian  Com- 
mission labor,  more  extensive  than  we  could  ever  cover.  Hundreds 
dying,  thousands  suffering,  needing  aid  and  help  of  every  kind, — 
surely  the  Delegate  was  never  at  a  loss  for  want  of  work  to  do. 
From  fifteen  to  thirty  Delegates  were  constantly  employed  at  this 
great  station  during  the  remainder  of  the  year. 

The  hospitals  themselves  were  simply  canvas  tents,  pitched  upon 
wide  streets,  on  what  had  been  a  cultivated  field.  In  the  sultry 


422  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

days  of  summer  the  dust  became  almost  suffocating,  and  greatly 
increased  the  sufferings  of  the  patients.  To  remedy  this  a  steam 
fire  engine  was  generously  loaned  the  Commission  by  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  which,  stationed  near  the  river  bank,  sprinkled  the  entire 
camp,  laying  the  dust  and  purifying  the  whole  atmosphere.  It 
was  a  real  blessing  to  thousands,  giving  to  every  one  fresh  courage. 
Early  in  July  a  large  chapel  tent,  sixty  feet  in  length,  was  put  up 
at  this  station,  and  when  the  weather  became  cold  a  large  frame 
chapel  Avas  built  to  take  its  place.  In  these  meetings  were  held, 
every  afternoon  and  every  evening,  for  many  months,  and  during 
all  this  time  were  fully  attended.  Indeed,  a  constant  revival  was 
in  progress  here,  and  it  is  believed  over  five  hundred  souls  were 
born  again.  It  was  a  strange  and  interesting  sight, — these  meetings 
thronged  with  soldiers,  heads  bandaged,  arms  in  slings,  pale  faces, 
crutches  and  canes  in  all  parts  of  the  house, — an  earnest,  tearful 
band  of  worshippers.  Every  week  this  band  was  broken, — some 
called  back  to  the  front,  some  to  go  to  the  more  Northern  hospitals, — 
but  there  were  always  more  to  take  their  place,  and  the  room  re- 
mained full.  A  fine,  large  reading-room,  with  writing-tables  and  a 
circulating  library,  was  here  in  operation  nearly  six  months. 

As  the  hot  days  of  summer  and  the  cool,  delightful  days  of  autumn 
wore  away,  all  looked  forward  with  high  hopes  to  the  winter  season, 
when,  for  a  time,  the  soldiers  would  be  in  quiet  camps,  and  when 
once  more  chapels  might  be  raised,  and  every  regiment  blessed  with 
the  gospel  brought  to  their  very  doors. 

The  order  for  winter  quarters,  long  delayed,  came  at  length.  Ten 
thousand  axes  in  a  few  days  laid  low  whole  forests  of  pine,  and,  as 
by  magic,  the  little  huts  and  cabins  rose  from  the  very  ground,  until 
city  after  city  was  complete,  stretching  from  the  Lynchburg  Rail- 
road below  Petersburg,  around  that  besieged  city,  across  the  Appo- 
mattox  and  the  James,  to  within  five  miles  of  Richmond,— a  line, 
bristling  with  forts,  of  more  than  fifty  miles  in  extent. 

The  following  account  of  one  day's  labor  at  a  winter 
station  is  given  by  Eev.  A.  Fuller,  of  Maine :  — 

Early  in  March,  1864, 1  found  myself  at  the  office  of  the  Christian 
Commission,  in  Culpepper,  duly  commissioned  as  a  Delegate,  and 


ARMY    OF   THE    POTOMAC. 1864.  423 

awaiting  an  assignment  to  duty  from  the  agent  in  charge.  I  confess 
to  a  feeling  almost  of  dismay  when  I  thought  of  going  out  to  actual 
work  among  such  men  as  the  soldiers  at  first  appeared  to  be.  A 
single  incident  will  show  how  I  got  rid  of  my  fears  and  learned  to 
love  the  work.  I  had  been  assigned  to  a  station  just  established  in 
the  battery  brigade  of  the  First  Corps,  which  comprised  a  body  of 
nearly  a  thousand  men,  who  had  scarcely  heard  a  sermon  or  a  prayer 
since  entering  the  army,  for,  as  is  well  known,  the  batteries  have  no 
chaplains.  The  work  looked  very  hard  and  unpromising  to  me. 
But  it  must  be  tried,  and  with  much  prayer  and  many  doubts  and 
fears  I  went  to  my  field.  We  pitched  our  chapel  tent  and  had 
notice  of  religious  service  in  the  chapel  read  at  "retreat"  in  all  the 
batteries,  and  a  good  number  of  well-disposed  or  curious  men  gave 
us  an  encouraging  audience  for  our  first  meeting.  But  now,  to  make 
any  real  progress,  there  must  be  personal  intercourse  with  the  men 
in  their  tents.  They  must  be  talked  with  seriously  and  earnestly 
about  their  souls,  and  personally  invited  to  come  to  the  meetings. 
This  seemed  a  hard  thing  for  me  to  do,  but  I  resolved  to  try  to  do  it; 
so  the  next  morning,  after  much  prayer  for  strength  and  special 
guidance,  I  took  a  bundle  of  tracts  and  papers  in  my  haversack  and 
started  for  one  of  the  batteries.  Unfortunately,  as  it  then  seemed  to 
me,  it  was  the  hour  of  "  water-call,"  and  most  of  the  men  were  out 
with  the  horses.  Accordingly  I  got  along  with  my  visits  very  fast, 
finding  but  few  to  talk  with,  and  even  these  I  was  feeling  like  hurry- 
ing by,  with  merely  a  few  words  of  common  talk  and  a  casual  invita- 
tion to  our  meeting.  In  this  very  unsatisfactory  way  I  had  been 
nearly  the  whole  round  of  neat  log  huts,  and  was  thinking  of  escap- 
ing back  to  my  tent,  with  the  excuse  that  Providence  had  not  favored 
me  this  time,  when,  as  I  approached  the  last  hut,  I  heard  shouts  of 
laughter,  mingled  with  the  loudest  and  most  violent  cursing.  Here 
were  evidently  men  enough,  but  what  could  I  do  there?  My  first 
impulse  was  to  pass  on  and  leave  them  entirely,  but  then  were  not 
these  just  the  men  I  came  out  to  find?  What  excuse  had  I  for 
leaving  them  ?  With  this  thought  I  knocked  at  the  door.  A  loud, 
rude  voice,  with  an  oath,  bade  me  "  Come  in."  I  entered  at  once, 
and  found  about  a  dozen  men  lounging  on  bunks  and  stools,  or 
squatted  on  the  floor,  and  just  then  engaged  in  a  sharp  dispute  about 
some  point  in  a  game  of  cards  they  were  playing.  My  entrance 


424  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

evidently  confused  them  not  a  little,  and  one  of  their  number  imme- 
diately apologized  for  the  rude  reply  he  had  made  to  my  knock,  by 
saying  he  thought  it  was  one  of  the  "boys."  Meanwhile  they  each 
laid  aside  their  cards  and  returned  my  greeting  civilly,  offering  me 
at  the  same  time  a  seat  by  the  fire.  As  I  took  the  proffered  seat  I 
remarked  to  them,  inquiringly,  that  they  seemed  to  be  enjoying  camp 
life.  "  Yes,  in  our  way,  chaplain  ;  you  see  it  is  a  fine  place  here  to 
develop  moral  character.'"  This  he  said  half  jestingly,  and  yet  in  a 
tone  of  such  subdued  sadness  that  it  interested  me  at  once.  "Well," 
said  I,  "  I  think  that  may  be  very  much  as  we  make  it.  To  the 
man  who  does  his  duty  in  camp  it  is  a  good  place  for  moral  growth." 
"  Yes,  chaplain,  but  it's  a  hard  place  to  live  as  one  ought  to,  in  the 
army."  "That's  so,"  "that's  so,"  went  sadly  round  the  whole  group. 
"  And  yet  a  man  can  be  a  true  Christian  in  the  army  ?"  "  Yes." 
"You  have  known  such?"  "Yes."  "  And  you  think  all  the  more 
of  such  men's  religion,  that  they  maintain  it  under  such  difficulties?" 
"  Yes ;  but  we  are  not  religious,  and  it  is  very  hard  for  us.  We  need 
amusements,  and  what  can  we  do  but  play  cards?"  "Would  you 
prefer  reading  ?"  "  Very  much  ;  but  how  can  we  get  it?"  "  Well, 
I  have  some  for  to-day ;  and  when  you  want  more,  come  to  my  tent 
and  you  shall  have  it.  Besides,  we  are  to  have  meetings  at  the 
chapel  tent  every  evening ;  come  up  there  and  we  will  talk  more  of 
these  things.  You  do  have  a  great  many  temptations  in  the  army, 
I  know,  but  for  that  very  reason  you  ought  to  be  earnest  Christian 
men,  to  resist  such  temptations."  "  Yes,  chaplain ;  but  it  is  hard 
starting  here."  "True,  my  dear  friend,  but  isn't  it  harder  not  to 
start?  It  is  a  hard  place  to  live  like  a  Christian,  but  isn't  it  a  harder 
place  to  live  without  God  and  without  prayer?"  "Yes,  you  are 
right,  there,  chaplain ;  and  I  sometimes  think  I  will  do  better.  The 
folks  at  home  are  praying  for  me."  "  Well,  I  am  glad  to  hear  you 
say  that.  If  fathers  and  mothers  and  wives  pray  for  us,  we  ought  to 
pray  for  ourselves.  Will  you  come  to  our  meeting  to-night?"  "Yes, 
yes,"  said  all.  "  We  are  glad  you  are  come  among  us,  chaplain ; 
we  have  need  to  be  better  men ;  but  I  have  n't  heard  a  sermon  since 
I  came  into  the  army, — over  two  years."  As  I  bade  them  good- 
morning,  many  a  cordial  voice  said,  "  Come  and  see  us  often,  chap- 
lain ;  we  love  to  hear  you  talk,  and  if  we  don't  do  as  well  as  we  ought, 
we  do  think  of  these  things." 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1864.  425 

I  went  away  from  that  hut  with  a  great  burden  off  my  heart, 
for  I  found  the  soldiers  had  hearts  easily  reached  by  straight-for- 
ward, plain  dealing.  I  found,  too,  where  the  "  Revival  in  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac"  was ;  for  from  that  very  day  it  began  in  our  own 
brigade,  and  through  the  whole  time  of  my  service  there  was  scarcely 
a  day  that  some  new  inquirer  did  not  appear.  I  could  understand, 
then,  those  glowing  accounts  I  had  read  of  what  the  Lord  was  doing 
among  'the  soldiers.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  there ;  the  revival 
was  there ;  only  it  wanted  earnest,  patient  men  to  go  down  among 
the  tents  and  find  it,  just  where  it  was,  in  the  hearts  of  common 
soldiers.  There  was  a  glorious  revival,  and  many  a  new  witness  for 
Christ  was  found ;  not  a  few  of  whom,  I  afterwards  heard,  sealed 
their  testimony  with  their  lives. 

Rev.  Thomas  A.  Leete,  in  charge  of  Mountain  Run 
Station,  in  the  Artillery  Brigade,  Second  Corps,  writes 
thus  of  the  work  done  there  in  the  winter  months :  — 

In  the  light  artillery  there  are  no  chaplains.  No  religious  services 
of  a  public  nature  are  held.  Should  it  be  so?  Many  a  soldier  has 
told  me  that  he  has  not  heard  a  sermon  for  years, — in  some  instances 
for  three  years.  The  consequences  are  obvious;  the  ungodly  become 
bold  in  wickedness,  and  professing  Christians,  to  a  lamentable  extent, 
backslide.  When  services  commenced  in  our  brigade,  five  weeks 
since,  there  were  not  ten  soldiers,  in  the  six  batteries  composing  the 
brigade,  that  stood  ready  to  engage  heartily  in  Christian  duties. 
Not  that  among  the  five  hundred  men  there  were  not  more  than  ten 
that  were  aiming  to  lead  a  Christian  life;  but  so  low  was  the  state 
of  religion  that  no  one  felt  like  encouraging  another.  No  prayer- 
meetings  were  held,  and  if  a  hymn  of  praise  was  sung  there  were 
many  who  would  jeer  and  ridicule.  But  since  the  Christian  Com- 
mission tent  has  been  erected  in  front  of  the  batteries,  the  change 
has  been  wonderful.  We  first  sowed  most  plentifully  the  good  seed 
of  truth  among  the  batteries  and  in  the  tents,  and  withal  spent  much 
time  in  personal  conversation  with  the  cannoneers.  This,  in  connec- 
tion with  a  public  service  in  our  chapel  tent  each  night,  began  to 
act  as  leaven.  Serious  thought  was  awakened,  and  very  soon  serious 
inquiry.  The  importance  of  prayer  was  urged  upon  professing 


426  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Christians,  and  very  soon  the  promise  was  verified,  "  Ask  and  ye 
shall  receive."  For  the  first  two  or  three  weeks  the  work  was  inter- 
rupted somewhat  by  a  movement  of  the  batteries,  at  the  battle  of 
Morton's  Ford,  and  some  other  changes ;  but  for  the  last  ten  days, 
every  night,  when  an  appointment  is  made  for  prayer  or  preaching, 
our  tent  is  full  to  overflowing  of  earnest  worshippers.  Officers  and 
privates  have  said  to  me,  again  and  again,  "  You  are  doing  a  far 
greater  work  here  than  you  can  have  any  idea  of;  we  can  judge 
better  than  you."  Some  twenty-five  or  thirty  hopeful  conversions 
have  occurred  already.  Backsliders  in  still  larger  numbers  have 
been  reclaimed ;  and  as  yet  the  work  is  seemingly  but  just  begun. 
The  interest  increases  with  each  passing  day ;  and  if,  for  two  weeks 
to  come,  the  work  advances  as  during  the  past  two  weeks,  glorious 
results  will  be  witnessed.  Already  we  cannot  but  exclaim,  What 
hath  God  wrought!  Several  cases  of  interest  have  come  under  my 
observation,  outside  the  artillery,  in  the  infantry.  I  have  spent 
much  time  in  personal  conversation  with  the  soldiers, — for  this  I 
find  to  be  the  best  method  of  getting  hold  of  men, — and  everywhere 
I  find  them  accessible.  And  not  only  so ;  they  desire  to  converse, 
many  of  them,  upon  the  subject  of  personal  piety,  and  all  that  is 
required  is  that  one  should  take  them  by  the  hand  and  lead  them  to 
Christ.  Several  instances  of  this  kind  I  have  met,  when  out  for  a 
few  hours  in  some  regiment  or  hospital.  I  think  I  have  abundant 
evidence  for  believing  that  a  few  words,  spoken  in  the  manner  above 
described,  have  resulted  in  an  entire  change  in  the  life  and  character. 
"A  word  fitly  spoken,  how  good  it  is!"  My  last  meeting  at  the  sta- 
tion was  a  scene  I  shall  never  forget.  The  warm  expressions  of 
interest  in  our  work,  and  in  ourselves  personally,  coming  from  the 
lips  of  converts  and  reclaimed  ones,  showed  us  most  conclusively 
that  our  work  had  not  been  in  vain.  One  and  another  exclaimed, 
"Where  should  I  have  been,  what  would  have  become  of  my  poor 
soul,  had  not  these  brethren  come  and  brought  us  the  gospel?" 

Rev.  W.  L.  Tisdale  wrote,  on  March  5,  as  follows, 
from  Nelson  Station,  Warrenton  Junction,  Va.:  — 

This  is  a  new  station.     I  preached  the  first  sermon  here.     The 
chapel  was  crowded,  and  also  the  space  for  twenty  or  thirty  feet 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1864.  427 

around  the  door.  From  that  day  to  this,  very  stormy  weather  ex- 
cepted,  the  chapel  has  been  crowded  at  every  service.  The  first  time 
opportunity  was  given  eight  or  ten  men  expressed  desire  for  the 
prayers  of  Christians  in  their  behalf,  and  every  time  since  as  many 
have  embraced  each  opportunity.  Sometimes  twenty,  and  one  even- 
ing thirty-five,  asked  prayers.  I  can  hardly  tell  the  number  of  con- 
versions in  the  brigade  since  we  came;  but  from  all  I  can  learn  there 
have  been,  during  the  four  weeks  since  the  station  was  started,  several 
hundred  led  to  serious  reflection,  and  about  one  hundred  converted 
and  reclaimed.  In  our  first  or  second  meeting  at  this  new  station, 
a  drummer-boy  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  New  York 
Volunteers  was  deeply  impressed,  began  to  cry  to  God  for  mercy 
and  salvation,  and  soon  came  happily  into  the  light.  At  once  he 
began  praying  specially  for  a  young  friend.  He,  too,  was  converted 
to  God.  Then  the  two  united  their  prayers  for  a  third,  who  was 
soon  won  to  Jesus.  They  all  joined  in  prayer  for  a  fourth  one  of 
their  comrades,  successfully ;  and  the  four  for  a  fifth ;  and  so  they 
kept  on,  until  now  the  drummer-boy  tells  me  that  ten  of  their  com- 
pany are  already  happy  in  the  love  of  Christ  and  hope  of  heaven 
newly  found. 

The  following  sketch,  by  Mr.  Williams,  of  two  weeks' 
experience  in  the  Fifth  Corps  section,  in  May,  1864,  needs 
little  more  than  a  change  of  names  and  dates  to  make  it 
a  record  of  any  corps  section  during  an  active  campaign : — 

The  last  Sabbath  in  April  the  Delegates  at  Culpepper  preached 
twenty-three  times  to  the  different  regiments  in  and  about  the  town, 
and  everywhere  the  men  listened  as  though  they  were  anticipating 
the  baptism  of  blood  which  awaited  them  during  the  early  days  of 
May,  and  as  though  anxious  to  prepare  for  the  death  march  which 
so  many  of  them  were  to  make  to  the  battle-fields  South  of  the  Rapi- 
dan.  A  few  days  more  and  the  tents  of  the  Commission  were  struck. 
Cooking  utensils,  station  furniture,  and  all  heavy  articles  were  sent 
back  to  Washington,  and  the  wagons  carefully  packed  with  battle- 
field stores.  The  Delegates  were  divided  into  companies  and  placed 
under  the  care  of  experienced  agents,  to  each  of  whom  a  corps  was 
assigned  as  a  field  of  labor,  in  the  active  campaign  for  which  the 


428  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

army  was  now  prepared.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  4th  of  May 
we  join  the  hospital  train  of  the  Fifth  Corps,  and  cross  the  Rapi- 
dan  at  Germania  Ford,  passing  through  the  formidable  fortifications 
just  abandoned  by  the  rebels,  and  at  night  encamp  in  an  open  field. 
At  noon,  May  5th,  the  battle  begins  in  earnest.  The  ammunition 
wagons  draw  nearer  the  front.  Commissary  and  quartermaster  wagons 
are  parked  in  the  rear.  The  ambulances  solemnly  wheel  into  pro- 
cession, ready  to  drive  to  the  battle-ground  and  receive  the  wounded. 
The  first  load  is  not  long  delayed.  A  single  "  fly"  is  stretched  upon 
a  side  hill,  hardly  out  of  range  of  the  enemy's  cannon,  and  a  surgeon 
or  two  detailed  to  dress  the  wounds  of  those  who  lie  upon  the  grass 
near  by.  The  Medical  Director  of  the  corps  selects  a  place  suitable 
for  a  field-hospital,  in  a  grove  on  each  side  of  the  Chancellorsville 
road,  and  distant  about  two  miles  from  the  Wilderness  Tavern.  Here 
the  tents  go  up  as  by  magic ;  but  before  those  of  a  single  division  are 
pitched  the  head  of  an  ambulance  train  approaches,  laden  with  we 
know  not  how  many  hundreds  of  men,  groaning  with  pain,  and  beg- 
ging for  immediate  attention  and  care.  The  amputating  table  is  at 
once  in  use.  Surgeons  and  chaplains  vie  with  each  other  to  make  the 
men  more  comfortable.  Hospital  attendants  carefully  lift  the 
wounded  from  the  ambulances,  and  carry  them  gently  to  the  wards, 
and  lay  them  on  the  ground,  or  upon  boughs  of  pines  hastily  broken 
from  the  trees.  The  Delegates  of  the  Commission  are  at  work, 
too.  Some  of  them  help  the  men  out  of  the  ambulances,  some  build 
fires  and  prepare  coffee  and  tea  and  take  to  those  who  call  for  drink, 
while  others  receive  the  messages  of  the  dying.  Amid  such  scenes 
there  can  be  no  idlers.  Through  the  afternoon  and  through  the 
night  the  work  continues.  While  some  sleep  others  keep  the  fires 
burning,  and  fill  the  pails  of  the  nurses  as  one  after  another  they 
come  for  coffee  for  their  ward's,  and  so  the  night  passes, — the  rattle 
of  musketry  never  ceasing.  But  the  morning  sun  only  ushers  in 
another  day  of  blood.  The  fighting  is  desperate,  and  all  day  long 
the  wounded  pour  in  toward  the  grove.  Still  another  day  of  battle, 
and  now  thousands  are  strewn  upon  the  ground  about  us ;  the  ampu- 
tating tables  are  surrounded  with  heaps  of  lifeless  limbs,  and  the  air 
is  full  of  moans,  and  cries,  and  death.  In  the  afternoon  of  Saturday, 
May  7th,  there  are  rumors  of  a  movement  to  the  left.  Before  midnight 
the  tents  are  struck,  and  the  long  trains  of  wagons  and  ambulances, 


AKMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1864.  429 

loaded  with  the  wounded,  are  moving  out  upon  the  road  toward 
Fredericksburg.  Many  of  the  wounded,  too  weak  to  follow  on  foot 
or  to  endure  the  jolting  ride  in  the  heavy  wagons,  are  left  with  a 
few  attendants  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the  rebels,  who  will  soon  have 
undisturbed  possession  of  the  Wilderness.  As  we  drive  out  into  the 
road  and  await  in  the  darkness  the  order  to  march,  there  is  a  moment 
to  gather  up  in  thought  the  experience  of  the  three  terrible  days  now 
closed.  .The  silence  is  oppressive.  The  fighting  has  ceased.  Only 
now  and  then  there  is  heard  the  sharp  crack  of  a  picket's  gun  or  the 
hideous  bray  of  an  impatient  mule.  We  think  of  the  uuburied  dead 
on  the  fields  of  strife,  of  the  wounded  we  leave  behind,  of  the  scenes 
we  have  witnessed  of  heroic  fortitude  and  patriotism,  of  triumphant 
deaths,  of  the  thousands  who  in  Northern  homes  must  soon  be  made 
sad  when  the  record  of  these  days  of  blood  is  borne  to  them.  Then, 
too,  come  back  to  us  the  words  of  gratitude,  and  thanks,  and  blessing 
which  have  been  so  often  heard  from  the  lips  of  .the  noble  men  as  we 
sought  to  comfort  and  help  them,  and  they  strengthen  our  hearts 
anew  for  the  work  that  is  still  before  us.  But  we  do  not  think  long. 
The  train  is  ordered  to  move  on.  Streams  are  forded  in  the  dark- 
ness ;  the  road  is  kept  with  difficulty.  Sabbath  morning  finds  us  on 
the  Chancellorsville  battle-field.  We  halt  for  food  and  water.  The 
Sixth,  Ninth,  Fifth,  and  Second  Corps,  with  bayonets  gleaming  in 
the  sun,  but  with  dusty  uniforms  and  weary  steps,  march  past  us.  A 
few  hours  later  and  skirmishing  is  heard.  We  follow  on.  No  inter- 
ruption till  noon.  Another  halt  for  food  and  water.  We  start 
again.  Guerrillas  fire  upon  the  train.  The  cavalry  scout  the  woods. 
Two  or  three  citizens  are  captured.  The  train  is  driven  rapidly  on 
over  dry  and  excellent  roads,  or  through  sandy  fields,  towards  Spott- 
sylvauia  Court-house.  At  sun-down  we  halt  again,  in  a  corn-field, 
for  supper,  and  as  it  is  hoped  for  a  night's  bivouac.  The  rebels  are 
disputing  the  advance  of  our  troops  in  the  forest  just  before  us,  but 
the  fighting  is  not  serious ;  so  we  unhitch.  Horses  are  watered  in  a 
stream,  across  which  the  enemy  has  been  driven  hardly  half  an  hour 
before.  Men  are  preparing  their  suppers,  when  the  order  comes  for 
an  advance.  Again  the  heavy  wagons  move  forward ;  men  and 
horses  long  for  rest,  but  it  is  denied  them.  We  march  through  a 
gloomy  forest  of  pine.  The  darkness  of  the  night  is  made  deeper 
and  more  oppressive  by  the  faintly  burning  fires  which  have  been 


430  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

kindled  in  the  dry  underbrush  during  the  fight,  which  now  bring  out 
into  bold,  striking,  but  solemn  relief,  the  tall  trunks  of  the  giant 
pines  which  skirt  our  path,  and  which  give  a  weird  and  fanciful 
character  to  the  scene.  We  pass  through  a  deep  and  dangerous 
stream.  Broken  wagons  on  either  bank  warn  us  of  our  impending 
fate.  But  the  train  presses  on.  The  road  becomes  rough  and 
stony.  Weary  mules  are  coaxed  forward.  Weary  men  drop  by  the 
road-side  to  catch  an  hour's  sleep.  It  is  midnight  of  the  Sabbath 
day.  What  a  Sabbath  it  has  been !  But  we  have  reached  the  ex- 
tent of  our  journey.  All  the  trains  of  the  army  are  parked  in  a 
large  open  field,  immediately  before  us.  Now  we  shall  have  rest. 
Not  so ;  for  the  wagons  of  the  Christian  Commission  are  ordered  off 
the  ground.  We  drive  off  to  the  right,  to  seek  a  hospital  of  a  divi- 
sion of  the  Fifth  Corps,  said  to  be  hardly  a  mile  distant.  But  the 
mile  soon  becomes  two,  and  at  three  o'clock  Monday  morning  we 
drive  out  by  the  side  of  the  road,  unhitch  our  horses,  feed  them,  and 
lie  down  at  the  foot  of  a  pine  tree  for  an  hour's  sleep.  With  the 
first  light  of  the  morning  we  are  awakened  by  men  moving  around 
us,  and  find  that  we  are  among  the  wounded  and  dead,  who  are  lying 
as  they  fell  upon  the  field  in  which  we  are  encamped.  A  demand 
is  at  once  made  upon  us  for  stores.  All  hands  are  at  work,  washing 
and  dressing  wounds,  for  not  more  than  two  surgeons  are  present  to 
care  for  two  hundred  men.  Preparations  are  just  complete  for  pitch- 
ing the  hospital  tents,  when  the  word  comes  for  us  to  fall  back. 
Wagons  are  rapidly  repacked,  tents  strapped  to  axletrees, — any  way 
to  carry  them.  The  ambulances  lead,  filled  with  the  poor  men  who 
had  lain  on  the  swampy  ground  so  many  hours,  praying  and  patiently 
waiting  for  the  needed  aid. 

We  had  proceeded  hardly  an  eighth  of  a  mile  before  we  met  an- 
other train  of  ambulances,  eagerly  pressing  by  us,  in  the  hope  of 
reaching  the  other  side  of  the  soon-to-be-made  battle-field.  The 
artillery  rush  past  us,  and  wheel  into  position  on  the  brow  of  a  hill 
just  to  our  right.  A  little  distance  away,  in  full  view,  stand  the 
rebel  hosts,  impatiently  awaiting  the  word  to  open  the  attack.  Our 
train  is  blocked.  The  road  is  full.  The  ambulances,  with  their 
precious  burdens,  still  pass  by  us  on  the  left.  In  one  of  them,  all 
covered  with  blood,  we  look  upon  Sedgwick's  noble  body,  now  cold  in 
death.  The  wagons  in  front  of  us  begin  to  move.  The  moments 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC.  — 1864.  431 

spent  in  waiting  have  lengthened  in  imagination  into  hours;  but 
escape  is  at  hand.  No.  The  driver  immediately  in  front  of  us  runs 
against  a  tree,  and  our  wheels  are  fast.  A  Delegate  springs  for  an 
axe,  works  away  at  the  tree  till  it  falls ;  another  start ;  second  col- 
lision ;  the  pole  snaps  ;  the  wagon  overturns ;  the  horses  are  cut  loose, 
and  the  driver  rides  rapidly  for  his  life.  In  the  mean  time  our  wagon 
has  regained  the  road,  and  is  now  fast  overtaking  the  train  which 
had  left  us  to  our  fate.  In  a  few  moments  more  the  sound  of  firing 
reminds  us  of  our  narrow  escape,  and  tells  us  that  the  battles  of  Spott- 
sylvania  Court-house  have  begun. 

The  hospital  of  the  Fifth  Corps  is  located  at  Laurel  Hill ;  that  of 
the  Sixth  Corps  is  half  a  mile  South,  towards  the  Court  House ;  that 
of  the  Second  Corps  is  nearer,  but  West  of  us.  Here  again  are  made 
preparations  for  the  reception  of  hundreds  of  wounded  men,  for  the 
heavy  sound  of  artillery  which  we  hear,  and  the  rattle  of  musketry, 
are  sure  indications  of  a  fearful  battle.  The  hospital  is  not  long 
without  inmates.  The  long  wards  speedily  fill  up,  and  before  the 
sun  of  Monday,  May  9,  sets,  we  have  a  hospital  crowded  with  men 
suffering  with  the  most  terrible  of  wounds.  The  work  of  the  Com- 
mission is  much  like  that  at  the  hospital  in  the  Wilderness.  Fires 
are  kept  burning ;  hot  coffee,  tea,  farina,  corn-starch,  milk  punch,  are 
constantly  in  requisition.  Two  or  three  men  are  in  the  wards  all  the 
day  and  night,  praying  with  the  dying,  receiving  their  messages  of 
affection,  writing  letters  for  those  who  cannot  write  for  themselves, 
helping  the  surgeons,  doing  whatever  they  are  able  to  do,  bringing 
water  from  the  spring,  washing  wounds,  seeking  in  every  way  possi- 
ble to  sympathize  with  the  sufferers  before  them.  The  scene  here 
remains  unchanged  for  a  week. 

The  following  extracts,  from  Kev.  S.  J.  M.  Eaton's 
report,  give  a  view  of  the  work  at  Belle  Plain  and 
Fredericksburg  in  May:  — 

Our  destination  was  Belle  Plain,  a  point  on  the  Potomac,  sixty 
miles  below  Washington,  where  stores  were  to  be  landed  and  sent  to 
the  front,  and  whence  the  wounded  were  to  be  sent  on  transports  to 
Washington.  We  reached  Belle  Plain  at  8  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  10th  of  May,  but  as  yet  no  wounded  men  had  arrived.  We 


432  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

lay  there,  listening  to  the  dull  roar  of  the  cannon  that  was  borne  to 
our  ears  from  the  distant  battle-field,  until  the  middle  of  the  after- 
noon. At  five  o'clock  the  wounded  began  to  come  in  from  Freder- 
icksburg,  and  we  went  ashore  and  erected  our  tent.  Belle  Plain  is  a 
miserable,  barren  point  of  land,  in  spite  of  its  name,  without  a  cabin 
or  enclosure  of  any  kind.  The  Christian  Commission  tent  was  the 
first  erected  on  the  point.  The  Delegates  speedily  kindled  a  fire, 
opened  the  boxes  of  stores,  and  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
coffee, — dealing  crackers  and  "hard-tack"  to  the  wounded  men,  who 
were  almost  famished  with  hunger.  The  mighty  tide  of  sufferers 
had  set  in,  and  was  increasing  every  hour.  Some  were  on  foot,  with 
extemporized  crutches  and  canes,  and  long  sticks  grasped  in  both 
hands,  and  some  in  ambulances  and  army  wagons.  In  the  mean 
time,  at  a  late  hour,  we  had  rolled  ourselves  in  our  blankets  and  laid 
down  on  the  bosom  of  mother  earth,  and  slept  as  we  seldom  sleep  in 
our  beds  at  home.  Arising  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  found 
the  ground,  almost  as  far  as  we  could  see,  covered  with  wounded 
men, 

Thick  as  autumn  leaves  that  strew  the  brooks  in  Vallambrosa, 

who  had  come  in  during  the  night,  and  thrown  themselves  down  in 
utter  exhaustion.  The  first  thing  to  furnish  them  was  coffee  and 
bread.  Our  own  supplies  of  bread  were  soon  exhausted,  and  we 
drew  upon  the  government  stores  until  our  reinforcements  came. 
The  camp  kettles  were  never  suffered  to  become  cold,  and  on  some 
days  as  high  as  three  hundred  gallons  of  coffee  were  made  and  dis- 
tributed, with  crackers  in  proportion. 

A  call  being  made  that  morning  for  a  detail  from  our  number  to 
assist  the  surgeons,  I  was  honored  with  an  appointment,  and  all  that 
day,  until  darkness  set  in,  was  engaged  in  dressing  the  wounds  of 
those  who  lay  upon  the  ground,  or  came  thronging  down  the  hill  on 
the  Fredericksburg  road.  The  next  morning,  other  Delegates  hav- 
ing arrived,  a  band  of  seventeen  was  formed  to  proceed  to  Freder- 
icksburg, with  the  distinct  understanding  that  it  would  be  necessary 
for  us  to  walk  the  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  that  lay  between.  This 
distance  was  greater  than  some  of  us  had  walked  for  twenty  years, 
but  we  set  out  like  the  pilgrims  of  old,  with  our  canteens  and  staves, — 
having  thrown  our  blankets  and  haversacks  into  a  wagon.  Provi- 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1864.  433 

dentially,  after  having  walked  about  two  miles,  we  were  overtaken 
by  an  ambulance  train,  the  chief  of  which  courteously  invited  us  to 
take  seats  in  the  ambulances,  one  Delegate  in  each.  Our  train  was 
guarded  by  an  escort  of  cavalry,  as  the  down  train  the  evening 
before  was  attacked  by  guerrillas.  At  five  o'clock  we  came  in  sight 
of  the  spires  of  Fredericksburg,  and,  crossing  on  the  pontoons  over 
the  Rappahannock,  found  the  headquarters  of  the  Christian  Com- 
mission. After  taking  some  refreshment,  we  were  distributed  among 
the  hospitals.  Fredericksburg  is  now  a  dilapidated  place.  It  bears 
the  marks  of  General  Buruside's  attack,  a  year  and  a  half  ago. 
Hardly  a  house  but  has  been  battered  by  shot  or  shell.  Some  entire 
rows  of  buildings  are  in  ruins.  Apart  from  the  humanity  and  Chris- 
tian benevolence  we  saw  exemplified  everywhere,  it  was  an  awful 
place.  The  very  buzzards  swung  themselves  lazily  over  it,  attracted 
by  the  horrid  atmosphere  that  brooded  over  it  by  day  and  by  night. 
There  were  from  eight  to  ten  thousand  men  there,  with  almost  every 
possible  description  of  wounds,  from  the  simple  flesh  wound  of  the 
musket  ball  to  the  awful  mangling  of  the  explosive  shell  and  the 
mutilated  trunk  deprived  of  its  limbs  by  amputation. 

The  duties  of  the  Delegates  were  not  slight,  prolonged  as  they 
sometimes  were  into  the  small  hours  of  the  night,  as  trains  of  ambu- 
lances came  in  containing  some  three  or  four  hundred  men,  hungry, 
suffering,  and  dying.  Often  as  these  trains  came  in  did  we  feel  the 
shuddering,  sickening  sensation,  that  would  force  itself  upon  us ;  but 
it  passed  away  as  the  stern  duties  of  ministering  to  the  wants  of  the 
sufferers,  and  the  warm  expressions  of  gratitude  falling  from  parched 
lips,  telling  of  suffering  at  least  partially  relieved,  turned  the 
thoughts  into  better  channels.  Our  duties  consisted  in  dressing 
wounds,  supplying  clothing  and  delicacies  to  the  needy,  writing  let- 
ters for  the  disabled,  pointing  the  suffering  and  the  dying  to  the 
Lamb  of  God,  and  ministering  at  the  grave  over  the  remains  of  the 
departed.  There  was  not  a  bed  nor  a  cot  in  all  Fredericksburg, 
except  those  occupied  by  rebel  families.  The  men  were  laid  on  the 
floor,  often  for  a  while  without  even  a  blanket,  and  many  of  them 
with  very  little  clothing, — it  having  been  lost  on  the  battle-field,  or 
torn  from  them  in  order  to  dress  their  wounds.  Often,  as  the  long 
trains  of  ambulances  and  army  wagons  from  the  front  wended  their 
way  down  the  hill  to  the  city  and  stopped,  completely  blocking  up 

55 


434  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

the  streets,  the  services  of  the  Commission  were  brought  into  special 
requisition.  Those  who  lay  in  these  conveyances  were  faint  and 
weary,  and  many  of  them  actually  dying.  Some  had  not  eaten  for 
twenty-four  hours,  nor  had  their  wounds  been  dressed  for  the  same 
length  of  time.  Coffee  and  'bread  were  to  be  distributed  among 
them,  with  stimulants  for  the  worst  cases,  and  sometimes,  as  they  tar- 
ried, an  extemporized  prayer-meeting  was  held.  Many  affecting 
letters  were  written  by  the  Delegates,  as  they  knelt  by  the  side  of 
the  wounded  men.  One  brave  fellow  from  New  York,  feeling  that 
his  time  was  short,  was  inditing  a  last  letter  to  his  friends.  After 
disposing  of  his  effects,  and  giving  directions  about  his  relations,  he 
said,  "  Tell  them  we  drove  the  rebels  from  the  rifle-pits,  and  that  the 
old  Flag  still  waves  up  in  the  Wilderness."  The  general  tone  of  the 
letters  was  hopeful ;  "  Tell  them  not  to  fret ;  we  are  doing  well  and 
have  good  attention,  considering  the  circumstances."  If  ever  there 
Avas  a  band  of  heroes  on  earth,  those  wounded  men  at  Fredericks- 
burg  composed  such  a  band.1  Neither  complaint  nor  murmur  ever 
escaped  their  lips.  Not  one  seemed  to  regret  his  wounds  or  his  sacri- 
fices, further  than  that  they  prevented  him  from  participating  in 
the  battle  which  was  still  raging.  They  were  most  accessible  to  reli- 
gious advice  and  instruction.  They  welcomed  the  hour  of  morning 
and  evening  prayer,  which  was  observed  in  almost  every  hospital,  and 
were  always  ready  to  talk  on  the  matter  of  great  concern.  There 
is  every  reason  to  suppose  that  many  of  these  suffering  men,  as 
they  lay  on  the  hospital  floors,  sought  and  found  the  peace  of  God 

1  The  patience,  heroism,  and  manliness  of  our  soldiers,  shown  in  so  many 
ways  and  under  such  variety  of  circumstances,  recall  the  noble  testimony  of 
Florence  Nightingale  respecting  the  English  soldiers  in  the  Crimea.  She 
writes :  —  "  I  have  never  been  able  to  join  in  the  popular  cry  about  the  reck- 
lessness, sensuality,  and  helplessness  of  the  soldier.  I  should  say,—  and  per- 
haps few  have  seen  more  of  the  manufacturing  and  agricultural  classes  than  I 
have  before  I  came  out  here,— that  I  have  never  seen  so  teachable  and  helpful 
a  class  as  the  army  generally.  Give  them  opportunity  promptly  and  securely 
to  send  money  home,  and  they  will  use  it.  Give  them  schools  and  lectures, 
and  they  will  come  to  them.  Give  them  books  and  games  and  amusements, 
and  they  will  leave  off  drinking.  Give  them  work,  and  they  will  do  it.  Give 
them  suffering,  and  they  will  bear  it.  I  would  rather  have  to  do  with  the 
army  than  with  any  other  class  I  have  ever  attempted  to  serve."  —  Chambers's 
History  of  the  Crimean  War,  p.  508. 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1864.  435 

that  passeth  all  understanding,  and  died  triumphing  in  redeeming 
love. 

At  the  end  of  two  weeks  orders  were  given  for  the  breaking  up  of 
the  hospitals  and  the  evacuation  of  the  place,  as  the  army  was  about 
changing  its  base  to  White  House. 

Prayer-meetings  were  held  every  evening,  or  as  often 
as  possible,  at  the  flying  stations,  even  during  an  active 
campaign.  The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  written 
by  Rev.  J.  H.  Edwards,  presents  a  sketch  of  such  a 
meeting  in  the  Ninth  Corps,  in  July,  1864:  — 

Let  me  tell  you  briefly  about  a  prayer-meeting  held  last  Sabbath 
evening  at  Third  Division  Hospital.  The  tents  of  the  sick  ward  are 
arranged  around  an  opening  somewhat  oval  in  shape.  Three  or  four 
of  us  took  our  stand  under  a  tree,  near  the  tents  which  contained 
the  worst  cases, —  men  unable  to  walk.  Our  singing  answered  the 
purpose  of  church  bells,  and  soon  quite  a  congregation  was  gathered, 
reminding  one  of  the  groups  we  may  imagine  to  have  frequently 
surrounded  the  Saviour, — the  lame,  halt,  and  blind.  Some  came 
with  canes,  some  on  crutches,  and  one  was  brought  on  a  stretcher 
and  laid  directly  before  us, —  as  of  old  the  sick  were  brought  on 
beds  and  laid  before  Him  whose  touch  was  healing  and  whose  words 
were  life.  After  prayer,  the  reading  of  Scripture,  and  some  remarks 
by  the  brother  who  led  the  meeting,  the  soldiers  were  called  upon  to 
take  part.  At  once  two  or  three  responded.  They  told  of  God's 
faithfulness  to  them  in  the  hour  of  battle  and  through  days  and 
nights  of  sickness.  Great  anxiety  was  expressed  for  the  conversion 
'of  their  comrades.  At  one  time  two  were  speaking  together,  but  in 
tones  so  weak  that  they  did  not  hear  each  other.  One,  an  elderly 
man,  bending  on  his  cane,  said,  "  I'm  so  weak  I  can't  speak  much, 
but  I  want  to  testify  to  the  goodness  of  God' to  me.  I  have  tried  to 
live  a  Christian  life  since  I  came  into  the  army,  in  every  place  and 
all  company,  and  I  believe  I  can  say  that,  through  the  grace  of  God, 
I  have."  The.  other  one,  who  was  speaking  at  the  same  moim-nt. 
had  lifted  himself  partially  from  under  the  fly,  beneath  which  he 
had  been  lying,  and  in  a  weak  voice  was  telling  of  his  hope  and 
feith.  When  these  had  finished,  "  Carleton,"  of  the  Boston  Journal, 


436  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

who  had  been  drawn  to  the  spot  after  the  meeting  had  opened,  could 
not  Avithhold  an  expression  of  his  feelings,  and  addressed  the  soldiers 
and  led  in  prayer  with  great  warmth  of  feeling.  Then  a  soldier 
near  the  stretcher  rose,  not  to  his  feet,  but  to  his  knees,  and  told  of 
having  been  wounded  in  the  leg  in  1861,  and  of  the  wound  having 
lately  become  so  troublesome  that  he  could  not  stand  or  walk  with- 
out great  difficulty.  Yet  upon  his  knees  he  "  stood  up  for  Jesus." 
The  bullets  had  flown  thick  around  him,  but  his  life  had  been  pre- 
served, in  answer  to  prayer,  he  believed.  He  had  tried  to  serve  his 
country  and  his  God,  and  meant  to  hereafter.  Others  spoke  in  a 
similar  strain,  and  remarks  were  made  by  one  or  two  members  of 
the  Commission.  The  meeting  was  closed  with  prayer  and  the  bene- 
diction. After  the  exercises  were  over,  the  following  conversation 
was  held  with  the  soldier  who  had  been  lying  on  the  stretcher  before 
us  during  the  meeting.  "  How  did  you  come  here?"  "  They  brought 
me  out."  "  Why  did  they  bring  you?"  "  I  asked  them  to;  I  wanted 
to  come."  "Are  you  a  Christian?"  "No;  but  I  want  to  be." 
"Have  you  Christian  parents?"  "Yes,  and  they  are  praying  that  I 
may  be."  "  But  you  must  pray  for  yourself."  "  I  know  it,  and  I 
will  try  to."  "  We  will  pray  for  you  in  our  tent  to-night."  "  Oh  do, 
and  I  will  try  and  pray  for  myself."  You  may  be  assured  that 
earnest  supplication  was  made  for  that  soul  before  we  gave  ourselves 
to  rest. 

[YEAR   1865.] 

The  form  of  organization,  adopted  early  in  1864,  by 
which  the  entire  force  of  the  Commission  was  divided 
into  sections,  each  having  an  experienced  leader  and  a 
clearly  defined  field  of  labor,  was  found  to  be  well 
adapted  to  the  exigencies  of  the  work,  both  in  summer 
and  winter,  and,  with  but  few  modifications,  was  retained 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  The  assistant  field  agents, 
having  the  superintendence  of  the  work  during  the 
winter  of  1864-5,  were, — Kev.  E.  F.  Williams,  in  the 
Army  of  the  James ;  Kev.  S.  S.  Ashley,  at  base ;  and 
Mr.  M.  B.  Lowrie,  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The 


ARMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. 1865.  437 

corps  agents  were, — Rev.  H.  V.  Emmons,  of  the  Second 
Corps ;  Mr.  Geo.  S.  Chase,  of  the  Fifth ;  Rev.  Geo.  A. 
Hall,  of  the  Sixth;  Captain  Thos.  Chartres,  of  the 
Ninth;  Mr.  S.  E.  Fitz,  of  the  Twenty-fourth;  Mr. 
William  Kirkby,  of  the  Twenty-fifth ;  and  Rev.  T.  K. 
Noble,  of  the  cavalry.  The  other  agents  in  charge  of 
special  fields  were, — Rev.  W.  L.  Tisdale,  at  Fortress 
Monroe ;  Rev.  Elihu  Loomis,  within  defences  of  City 
Point ;  Mr.  H.  F.  Parker,  at  hospital,  Point  of  Rocks ; 
Mr.  Henry  C.  Houghton,  of  the  Individual  Relief 
work ;  and  Mr.  R.  D.  Douglass,  of  the  Business  Depart- 
ment. All  of  these  were  experienced  agents,  several 
having  been  engaged  in  the  Commission  service  in  other 
armies.  The  work  of  this  winter  differed  from  that  of 
the  last  in  but  few  points,  except  that  it  was  everywhere 
conducted  on  a  larger  scale.  The  stations  were  more 
commodious,  and  the  material  more  abundant.  The 
religious  reading-matter  distributed  included  a  greater 
variety  of  publications  than  ever  before,  besides  which 
there  was  at  nearly  every  station  a  large  loan  library  of 
well-selected  books.  One  hundred  and  seventy-two 
thousand  copies  of  the  leading  religious  papers  of  the 
country  were  distributed  each  month,  in  these  armies 
and  in  the  Washington  hospitals,  besides  Testaments, 
hymn  books,  knapsack  books,  and  tracts,  in  proportion. 
One  peculiar  feature  of  the  Commission  work  this 
year  was  that  undertaken  for  the  education  of  the  colored 
troops  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Corps.  For  this  work  the 
Commission  employed  experienced  teachers,  and  fur- 
nished to  each  regiment  or  brigade, — in  addition  to  the 
usual  equipment  for  a  chapel, — tables,  primers,  spell  inL;;- 
books,  writing-books,  black-boards,  slates,  pens,  and  ink, 


438  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

— in  short  everything  that  was  needed  to  give  to  all  an 
opportunity  for  mental  improvement.  The  soldiers  were 
very  thankful  for  these  advantages,  and  showed  great 
eagerness  to  learn.  Another  important  feature  of  the 
year  was  the  introduction  of  the  system  of  special  diet 
kitchens,  which,  under  the  superintendence  of  Mrs.  Wit- 
tenmyer,  had  before  this  been  in  operation  in  the  Western 
armies.  These  were  located  in  the  general  hospitals  at  City 
Point  and  Point  of  Rocks,  and  were,  under  the  direction 
of  Christian  ladies  appointed  by  the  Commission,  a 
valuable  means  of  recovery  to  thousands  of  the  sick, 
who  needed  nourishing  and  palatable  food  even  more 
than  they  needed  medical  treatment.  These  kitchens 
were  mainly  supplied  from  the  government  stores  and 
hospital  fund,  but  also  received  many  articles  from  the 
Commission  that  could  not  be  otherwise  obtained. 

The  Individual  Relief  Department  was  organized  still 
more  thoroughly  during  the  year,  and  its  usefulness 
extended  in  various  ways.  The  work  of  aiding  soldiers 
in  sending  home  their  pay  and  surplus  baggage  grew  to 
wondrous  dimensions  near  the  close  of  the  war.  When- 
ever the  troops  were  being  paid  off  the  amounts  brought 
into  the  stations  varied  from  fifty  thousand  to  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  per  day,  in  packages  from  fifteen 
to  one  hundred  dollars  each.  And  when  the  troops 
were  ordered  to  reduce  their  baggage  to  light  marching 
order,  thousands  upon  thousands  of  packages,  containing 
overcoats,  blankets,  and  clothing,  which  would  otherwise 
have  been  lost,  were  forwarded  by  the  agents  of  this 
department,  and  thus  preserved  for  the  soldiers  and  their 
families.  Twice  only,  in  all  the  insecurity  and  perils 
of  receiving  and  carrying  money  among  the  camps,  were 


ARMY   OF    THE   POTOMAC. 1865.  439 

a  few  hundred  dollars  lost,  once  by  the  explosion  of 
ammunition,  blowing  into  fragments  the  table  at  which 
the  agent  was  receiving  money,  and  once  by  robbery 
among  bounty-jumpers.  In  neither  of  these  cases  did 
the  soldiers'  families  suffer  loss.  How  large  a  portion 
of  the  millions  of  money  expressed  home  by  the  Com- 
mission was  saved  from  being  squandered,  can  be  esti- 
mated only  by  those  who  know  the  habits  of  army  life. 
After  the  surrender  of  the  enemy,  at  Appomattox 
Court  House,  and  the  subsequent  withdrawal  of  the 
troops,  the  agents  of  this  department  made  a  thorough 
search  on  all  battle-fields  around  Petersburg  and  Rich- 
mond and  the  hospital  burial  grounds,  carefully  locating 
all  graves  discovered,  copying  the  marks  cut  upon  the 
rough  head-boards,  renewing  these  when  needed,  and 
otherwise  protecting  the  graves,  so  that  they  should  not 
be  obliterated.  The  list  thus  obtained,  increased  by  the 
records  of  Libby,  Danville,  and  Camp  Lawton  prisons, 
to  eight  thousand  names,  was  published  by  the  Commis- 
sion, for  gratuitous  distribution  among  the  friends  of 
the  lost.1 

1  The  subjoined  letters  are  specimens  of  hundreds  received  by  the  Individual 
Relief  Department.  They  not  only  indicate  a  terrible  phase  of  army  life,  but  fur- 
nish a  glimpse  also  into  a  multitude  of  suffering  households.  A  new-made  widow 
writes:  —  "I  have  been  advised  to  address  you  concerning  my  dear  departed 
husband's  effects.  He  left  some  few  things,  such  as  a  coat,  a  knife,  a  pocket 
Bible,  etc.,  which  would  be  a  great  comfort  to  me  in  my  deep  affliction,  if  I  can 

get  them Now,  would  you  be  so  very  kind  as  to  see  that  tlirsr  tlimirs 

are  sent  to  me  by  express?  I  have  no  friends  there,  and  am  compelled  (u  ask 
these  favors  of  strangers.  If  you  will  do  me  this  great  favor,  I  can  only  say 
God  will  reward  you  for  your  kindness  to  a  soldier's  widow  and  his  fatherless 
boy.  In  deep  affliction,  M.  E.  M." 

A  little  girl  pleads  thus  for  a  word  from  her  loved  father,  who  was  already 
in  his  grave  while  she  was  writing:  —  "It  is  now  four  weeks  since  \v»-  received 
a  letter  from  my  dear  father,  and  heard  that  he  was  very  sick,  and  we  have  not 


440  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

The  following  extracts,  from  the  report  of  the  General 
Field  Agent,  give  the  movements  of  the  year  more  in 
detail:  — 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  the  two  great  "  armies  operating 
against  Kichmond"  were  occupying  a  continuous  line  of  fortifica- 
tions, fifty  miles  in  length, — the  Army  of  the  Potomac  being  on  the 
left,  before  Petersburg ;  the  Army  of  the  James  on  the  right,  before 
Richmond.  Seven  long  months  had  they  laid  siege  to  these  devoted 
cities,  wresting  from  them  one  stronghold  after  another,  by  fierce 
battles  and  midnight  marches.  New  they  were  comparatively  at 
rest,  although  the  sound  of  hostile  guns  never  ceased,  waiting  in 
winter  quarters  the  warm  days  and  hardening  roads  of  spring.  The 
Christian  Commission  had  been  actively  engaged  during  all  these 
months,  caring  for  the  wounded  and  the  sick,  preaching  the  gospel 
of  Christ  in  the  camps,  and  supplying  from  its  ample  stores  aliment 
for  both  body  and  mind. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  composed  of  the  Second,  Fifth, 
Sixth,  and  Ninth  Army  Corps ;  the  Army  of  the  James,  of  the 
Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty -fifth, — the  latter  corps,  recently  organized, 
being  composed  exclusively  of  colored  troops.  Each  army  had  a  large 
base  or  depot  hospital, — that  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  being 
near  City  Point,  the  other  about  five  miles  distant,  at  Point  of  Rocks. 
At  each  of  these  large  hospitals  preparations  had  been  made  by  the 
Commission  early  in  the  season  for  a  complete  establishment,  con- 
sisting of  a  comfortable  chapel,  seating  six  hundred  persons;  a  large, 
well-lighted  reading-room,  provided  with  library,  files  of  daily  and 
weekly  papers,  and  tables,  with  writing  materials,  free  to  soldiers ;  a 
second  chapel,  for  the  use  of  colored  soldiers  ;  a  ware-room  for  hos- 
pital stores,  and  commodious  quarters  for  the  Delegates. 

These  buildings  were  well  made,  without  being  expensive,  covered 

heard  a  word  since.  This  is  the  third  letter  we  have  sent  off,  and  begged  for 
any  one  to  send  us  back  an  answer  whether  my  dear  father  is  dead  or  alive. 
My  mother  is  almost  crazy,  because  she  cannot  hear  from  my  dear  father.  I 
wonder  if  any  one  there  would  please  be  so  kind  as  to  write  a  few  lines  back 
again,  whether  my  father  is  dead  or  alive.  Please  be  so  kind  as  to  write  back. 
If  we  cannot  pay  you,  the  Lord  will.  Do  please  be  so  kind,  and  answer  this 
letter.  ANNA  H ." 


AKMY   OF   THE   POTOMAC. — 1865.  441 

with  roofs  of  boards  and  tarred  paper,  had  good  floors,  comfortable 
seats,  were  well  warmed  and  lighted,  and  made  attractive  by  every 
available  means.  From  ten  to  twenty  Delegates  were  constantly 
employed  at  each,  their  duties  being  to  visit  each  ward  of  the  hospi- 
tal, to  give  personal  attention  to  each  patient,  distribute  good  reading, 
cheer  the  patients,  by  conversing  with  them  or  writing  letters  for 
them,  and  to  hold  short  religious  services  with  them  as  often  as  prac- 
ticable. Meetings  were  also  held  in  the  chapel  every  evening, —  the 
services  consisting  usually  of  a  short  sermon  by  a  Delegate  or  chap- 
lain, followed  by  a  prayer-meeting,  in  which  the  soldiers  freely 
engaged. 

The  reading-rooms  were  thronged  with  soldiers  from  morning  till 
night,  this  being  accounted  the  "  pleasantest  place  in  camp,"  and  the 
chapel-meetings  were  well  attended,  and  not  unfrequently  crowded 
to  the  utmost.  At  each  hospital,  throughout  the  winter,  the  blessed 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  were  manifest.  Scarcely  a  night  passed 
but  some  soldier,  and  sometimes  as  many  as  one  hundred,  asked  the 
prayers  of  Christians  and  sought  the  Saviour's  blessing.  Often  as 
many  as  twenty  or  thirty  have  on  the  same  evening  resolved  to  con- 
secrate themselves  to  Christ.  The  influence  of  these  meetings,  so 
blessed  by  the  presence  of  God,  was  very  extensive,  as  men  were 
constantly  passing  from  these  hospitals  to  their  regiments  in  all  parts 
of  the  army,  carrying  with  them  the  power  of  their  new  life.  Meet- 
ings were  frequently  conducted  here  also  in  the  German  language, 
for  the  benefit  of  many  Germans,  who  greatly  prized  this  unaccus- 
tomed privilege. 

The  history  of  either  one  of  these  stations,  could  it  be  accurately 
written,  would  be  not  only  of  thrilling  interest,  but  would  present  a 
most  wonderful  record  of  the  mercy  of  God,  in  the  quickening  and 
conversion  of  souls ;  of  answers  to  prayer,  and  encouragements  to 
faithful  Christian  effort.  Very  many  poor  sufferers,  dying  in  these 
hospitals,  far  away  from  friends  and  home,  have  been  comforted  and 
cheered  by  the  kind  attentions  of  the  Delegates,  and  been  led  to  a 
faith  in  Christ  and  to  a  triumphant  death.  Very  many  hardened 
sinners,  coming  to  the  hospitals  unbelieving,  profane,  and  profligate, 
have  gone  away  rejoicing,  humble  followers  of  Jesus.  Here  have 
the  prayers  of  many  fathers  and  mothers  been  answered  ;  In  iv  have 
many  desponding,  doubting  Christians  received  new  courage,  and 
56 


442  AXXALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

here  have  the  hearts  of  the  Lord's  children  burned  within  them  as 
they  talked  of  Jesus.  When  other  parts  of  the  army  were  in 
motion,  and  when  other  stations  were  broken  up,  these  were  undis- 
turbed, and  from  the  first  establishment  of  the  hospitals  until  the  final 
disbanding  of  the  armies, — a  period  of  nearly  twelve  months, — 
they  were  a  source  of  health,  life,  and  peace  to  the  suffering  and 
needy. 

At  the  front,  stations  were  established  at  central  points  in  each 
corps,  and  were  made  as  commodious  and  attractive  as  was  possible, 
in  the  circumstances.  There  were  sixteen  stations,  in  all,  located  in 
the  two  armies.  Each  had  a  fine,  large  chapel  and  reading-room, 
and  quarters  for  from  five  to  ten  Delegates.  Many  of  the  chapels 
were  gems  of  rustic  art,  of  beautiful  proportions,  the  interior  being 
adorned  with  wreaths  and  festoons  of  evergreen  and  holly.  These 
chapels  were  occupied  as  reading-rooms  during  the  day,  and  for  ser- 
vices each  evening  and  on  the  Sabbath,  and  were  almost  without 
exception  the  scenes  of  powerful  revivals,  being  crowded  to  overflow- 
ing from  night  to  night. 

From  each  station  also  the  Delegates  went  regularly  to  the  regi- 
ments in  their  vicinity,  taking  a  weekly  supply  of  religious  reading, 
and  in  many  instances  holding  meetings  in  the  open  air.  The  chap- 
lains of  regiments  were  also  supplied,  as  during  the  last  winter,  with 
canvas  roofs,  stoves,  and  lamps,  thus  enabling  them  to  erect  seventy- 
five  large  and  comfortable  houses  of  worship.  Some  of  these  were 
very  large, — sixty  feet  in  length  by  thirty-five  in  width, — several  of 
this  size  being  put  up  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Corps,  and  used  both  as 
chapels  and  school-rooms.  For  these  colored  troops  the  Commission 
furnished,  not  only  roofing,  stoves,  and  lights,  but  primers,  black- 
boards, and  readers,  organizing  the  schools  and  providing  them  with 
teachers.  The  results  of  these  schools  were  very  satisfactory,  the 
soldiers  learning  rapidly,  and  showing  a  great  desire  to  improve. 

Although  during  the  months  of  January  and  February  there  were 
many  startling  rumors  of  meditated  attacks,  and  not  a  few  changes 
in  the  location  of  troops,  the  stations  of  the  Commission,  extending 
as  they  did  along  the  line  of  the  armies,  from  Hatcher's  Run  on  the 
extreme  left  to  Fort  Harrison  and  Deep  Bottom  on  the  right,  accom- 
plished an  extensive  and  valuable  work. 

As  the  month  of  March  came  in  it  became  evident  that  active 


ARMY    OF   THE   POTOMAC.  — 1865.  443 

operations  were  to  be  resumed  at  a  very  early  day,  and  vigorous  pre- 
parations were  made  for  what  all  felt  must  prove  a  long  and  bloody 
campaign. 

The  corps  sections  were  reorganized,  wagons  loaded  with  battle- 
field supplies,  and  everything  made  ready  for  a  sudden  movement. 
The  chapels  were  left,  however,  until  the  last  moment,  and  the  meet- 
ings continued  in  them,  growing  in  interest  until  the  final  breaking- 
up.  One  night  the  enemy  made  an  unexpected  attack  upon  the 
lines  of  the  Ninth  Corps,  capturing  a  fort  and  penetrating  far  within 
our  lines,  only  to  be  driven  back,  after  a  severe  fight,  with  great  loss 
of  life.  The  wounded  were  taken  to  Meade  Station,  and  our  beauti- 
ful chapel,  which  only  the  evening  before  had  been  occupied  by 
quiet  worshippers,  was  now  filled  with  bleeding  and  dying  men,  some 
of  them  the  same  who,  but  a  few  hours  before,  had  left  that  room  in 
perfect  health  and  vigor.  So  strange  are  the  contrasts  of  war! 

The  armies  are  now  joined  by  Sheridan's  famous  cavalry,  who 
have  come,  by  forced  marches,  from  the  Valley  of  the  Shenandoah, 
to  bear  no  unimportant  part  in  the  closing  struggles  of  the  war. 
They  cross  the  James  and  Appomattox  rivers,  on  muffled  bridges, 
under  cover  of  the  night,  and  encamp  for  a  few  days  near  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  Here  they  are  joined  by  a  section  of  the  Commis- 
sion, and  liberally  supplied  with  stores,  of  which  the  war-worn 
heroes  stand  much  in  need. 

And  now  the  whole  army  is  in  commotion.  The  cavalry  take 
their  position  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  line,  driving  the  enemy 
before  them ;  a  large  force,  composed  of  parts  of  the  Twenty-fourth 
and  Twenty-fifth  Corps,  cross  from  the  right  to  the  left,  and  join  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  Winter  camps  are  broken  up,  and  the  im- 
mense hosts  await,  in  battle  line,  the  orders  to  advance.  Sheridan's 
cavalry  and  the  Fifth  Corps  are  early  engaged,  and,  after  a  severe 
battle,  gain  a  victory  at  Five  Forks.  Cannon  and  mortars,  along 
the  entire  line,  blaze  and  roar  through  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
until,  just  as  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  April  dawns,  the  grand 
charge  is  made.  Fearful  slaughter  ensues,  but  nothing  can  with- 
stand that  charge.  The  enemy  is  driven  back,  and  the  line,  which 
for  eleven  months  had  withstood  every  attack,  and  before  which 
thousands  of  brave  soldiers  had  perished,  seemingly  in  vain,  was 
now  broken,  never  to  be  reunited.  Soon  the  word  passed  from  corps 


444  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

to  corps,  and  on  lightning  wings  from  city  to  city  and  town  to  town, 
all  through  the  broad  land,  "  Richmond  and  Petersburg  have  fallen, 
and  the  armies  of  the  Confederacy  are  in  full  retreat." 

Now  begins  the  pursuit.  Cavalry,  infantry,  and  artillery,  regard- 
less of  fatigue,  scarcely  stopping  for  food  or  rest,  press  eagerly  for- 
ward, over  the  muddy  roads  and  through  the  swollen  streams,  now 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  now  capturing  a  supply  train,  now 
fighting  with  an  advance  guard  for  an  important  pass,  now  cutting 
off  an  entire  division,  until,  in  just  one  week  from  the  evacuation  of 
Petersburg,  the  rebel  army  is  completely  surrounded,  its  General 
surrenders,  and  its  veterans  lay  down  their  arms  in  presence  of  the 
victors,  and  the  "  Great  Rebellion  "  is  no  more. 

The  agents  and  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission  were  not 
idle  during  these  eventful  days.  Organized  into  companies,  under 
experienced  leaders,  and  amply  supplied  with  everything  required, 
they  were  promptly  at  hand  wherever  there  was  work  to  be  done. 
The  railroad  section,  which  was  organized  under  the  direction  of 
Rev.  Wm.  A.  Lawrence,  to  attend  especially  to  the  wounded  as  they 
were  moved  from  the  field  to  railroad  stations,  and  thence  in  cars 
to  the  depot  hospital,  was  very  busily  employed,  both  night  and  day, 
furnishing  hot  coffee,  crackers,  and  food,  and  giving  special  care  to 
such  as  required  it.  First  at  Humphrey's  Station,  among  the 
wounded  of  the  cavalry  and  Second  and  Fifth  Corps ;  then  at 
Warren  Station,  as  the  wounded  of  the  Sixth  Corps  were  moved 
from  field  hospitals  to  the  base ;  then  at  Meade  Station,  as  the  hospi- 
tals of  the  Ninth  Corps  were  broken  up,  this  section  performed  its 
valuable  work.  The  Ninth  Corps  section,  taking  forward  three 
heavy  wagon-loads  of  supplies,  established  a  station  at  Burkesville, 
where  was  a  large  depot  hospital  for  the  wounded.  Many  hundred 
men  were  brought  here  from  the  battle-fields,  where  they  had  lain 
for  days  without  food  or  care.  Government  supplies,  for  some  reason, 
were  at  first  very  scarce  at  this  place,  and  the  stores  brought  by  the 
Commission  proved  exceedingly  valuable.  The  Delegates  worked 
night  and  day,  nursing  the  wounded,  cooking  and  distributing  food, 
bringing  loads  of  straw  from  neighboring  plantations,  and  by  every 
personal  ministration  seeking  to  fill  the  place  of  absent  fathers  and 
brothers.  The  Twenty-fourth  Corps  section  was  with  the  advance  on 
the  march,  and  relieved  many  of  those  who  were  wounded  in  the  last 


ARMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1865.  445 

engagement  of  the  war,  also  sending  a  detachment  from  its  number 
with  food  and  supplies  for  the  hospitals  at  Farmville.  The  Fifth 
Corps  section,  constantly  at  the  front,  afforded,  with  its  "Coffee 
Wagon "  and  stores,  material  relief  to  the  wounded,  as  they  lay  on 


THE     COFFEE     WAGON.1 

the  field,  the  night  after  the  battle  of  Five  Forks,  and  then,  attend- 
ing the  flying  hospital,  followed  the  corps  to  Appomattox  Court 
House. 

The  Individual  Relief  corps  of  the  Commission  was  actively 
engaged  in  searching  out  and  imparting  accurate  information  regard- 
ing the  wounded  and  the  dead,  attending  to  special  cases  entrusted 
to  its  charge,  sending  home  thousands  of  packages  of  valuables  and 

1  The  Coffee  Wagon  was  invented,  built,  and  presented  to  the  Commission,  by 
Mr.  Jacob  Dunton,  of  Philadelphia.  The  following  description  of  the  wagon 
and  its  use  is  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Richards,  one  of  the  Delegates  who  rendered  timely 
service  in  the  Ninth  and  Eighteenth  Corps,  July  30, 1864, —  the  day  of  the  mine 
explosion  and  bloody  repulse  before  Petersburg:  —  "!  must  refer  particularly 
to  one  prominent  feature  of  their  work  for  weary,  wounded  bodies  on  this  day, 
which,  for  its  novelty  and  usefulness,  deserves  especial  mention.  Some  of  the 
newspapers  have  mentioned  a  new  Cooking  Wagon,  presented  by  the  inventor 
to  the  Christian  Commission,  which  is  thoroughly  ml  generis.  It  ia  constructed 
somewhat  like  a  battery  caisson,  so  that  the  parts  can  be  unlimbered  and  sepa- 
rated from  each  other.  The  'limber,'  or  forward  part,  bears  a  large  chest 


446  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

precious  mementos  from  the  soldiers  to  their  loved  ones  there.  At 
Richmond  and  Petersburg  permanent  stations  were  established,  the 
Delegates  being  at  first  employed  in  the  care  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
in  the  Confederate  hospitals,  where  many  men  were  found  in  great 
destitution.  At  each  place,  but  more  particularly  at  Richmond,  the 
Commission  was  compelled  to  assist  many  of  the  women  and  children, 
who  were  left  entirely  destitute  of  food  by  the  burning  of  their 

which  is  divided  into  compartments  to  contain  coffee,  tea,  sugar,  and  corn- 
starch,  with  a  place,  also,  for  two  gridirons  and  an  axe.  From  the  rear  portion 
rise  three  tall  smoke-pipes  above  three  large  boilers,  under  which  there  is  a 
place  for  the  fire,  and  under  the  fire  a  box  for  the  fuel.  Each  boiler  will  hold 
fourteen  gallons,  and  it  is  estimated  that  in  each  one,  on  the  march,  ten  gallons 
of  tea,  or  coffee,  or  chocolate,  could  be  made  in  twenty  minutes,  thus  giving 
ninety  gallons  of  nourishing  drink  every  hour!  It  is  truly  a  most  ingenious 
and  beneficent  invention. 

"There  was  a  call  for  coffee.  A  party  of  Delegates  at  once  volunteered  to 
respond  to  the  call.  The  fires  were  lighted,  the  water  boiled,  the  coffee  made, 
and  soon  the  vehicle,  drawn  by  two  powerful  horses,  and  attended  by  half  a 
score  of  willing  laborers,  was  on  its  way  from  division  to  division.  Up  the 
hospital  avenue  it  rumbled  and  rolled,  past  the  long  rows  of  white  tents,  stop- 
ping at  this  cluster  and  that,  giving  to  all  from  its  generous  supply.  You 
should  have  seen  the  wondering  look  of  the  men  as  it  passed  by.  They  rolled 
themselves  over  to  get  a  glimpse  of  it.  They  stretched  their  necks  for  a  sight 
of  it.  The  wounded  heads  forgot  to  ache,  and  the  wounded  limbs  almost  forgot 
to  cry  for  nursing  in  that  moment  of  eager  curiosity.  Was  it  a  new  sort  of 
ambulance  ?  It  did  n't  look  like  one.  What  did  those  three  black  pipes  mean, 
and  those  three  glowing  fires?  Is  it  a  steam  fire-engine,  and  are  they  going  to 
give  us  a  shower-bath?  But  the  savory  odor  that  saluted  their  nostrils,  and 
the  delicious  beverage  the  engine  poured  into  their  little  cups,  soon  put  the 
matter  beyond  all  doubt.  They  soon  found  that  there  was  no  necromancy 
about  it,  for  it  had  a  substantial  blessing  for  each  one  of  them,  and  they  gave  it 
their  blessings  in  return.  One  by  one,  such  as  were  able,  crowded  about  it 
witli  curious  faces,  and  the  wagon,  as  it  stood  steaming  and  glowing  in  the 
midst,  was  the  theme  of  many  affectionate  comments.  '  I  say,  Bill,  ain't  that 
a  bully  machine  ? '  '  Yes,  sir  ;  it 's  the  greatest  institution  I  ever  saw.'  '  That 's 
what  you  might  call  the  Christian  Light  Artillery,'  says  a  third.  '  Good  deal 
pleasanter  ammunition  in  it  than  the  Kebs  sent  us  this  morning.'  'Well,  doc- 
tor,' said  a  Delegate  to  a  surgeon,  'what  do  you  think  of  this?'  'I  thank  the 
Lord  for  it.  That's  all  I  can  say,'  was  his  reply.  And  so,  on  a  sudden,  the 
new  invention  was  crowned  with  the  praises  and  benedictions  of  the  admiring 
crowd.  It  was  a  marked  feature  in  the  work  of  the  day,  and  must  be  set  down 
as  one  of  the  'peculiar  institutions'  of  the  Commission." 


ARMY   OF   THE    POTOMAC. 1865.  447 

homes  and  the  destruction  of  their  stores.  This  work  was,  however, 
soon  taken  off  its  hands  by  the  Union  Commission,  which  sent  a 
large  invoice  of  flour  and  an  agent  to  attend  to  its  distribution. 
Thus,  during  these  eventful  clays,  at  every  point,  the  Commission 
was  ready,  with  willing  hands  and  abundant  stores,  to  comfort  and 
relieve  the  suffering. 

Thus  closed  the  final  campaign  of  the  war.  The  troops,  after  a 
few  days  of  rest,  took  up  their  line  of  march  toward  home;  the  hos- 
pitals and  camps,  one  after  another,  were  broken  up,  the  stations  of 
the  Commission  were  removed,  and  in  a  few  weeks  the  army  of  the 
Potomac  was  encamped  about  Arlington  Heights,  on  the  very  spot 
where,  four  years  ago,  it  had  first  been  called  into  being.  Here 
again,  for  a  few  weeks,  was  a  precious  opportunity  to  work  for  souls. 
To  the  veteran  who,  with  task  performed,  now  waited  only  that  final 
order  which  would  restore  him  as  an  honored  citizen  to  the  home 
circle,  left  long  years  ago,  the  wheels  of  time  dragged  heavily.  What 
better  time  than  this  to  direct  his  thoughts  to  that  heavenly  Father, 
who  had  spared  him  through  all  the  perils  of  his  army  life,  to  urge 
him  henceforth  to  a  consecration  of  body  and  soul  to  that  Father's 
service?  The  large  canvas  chapel,  which  a  few  weeks  before  he  had 
left  on  the  eve  of  battle  to  go  forth  to  the  uncertainties  of  a  fierce 
campaign,  now  invited  him  to  worship  and  to  thanksgiving.  In 
every  corps  and  permanent  camp,  these  "tabernacles"  were  pitched, 
and  nightly  resounded  with  hymns  of  praise  and  prayers  of  triumph- 
ant faith.  Here  from  the  lips  of  veterans,  who,  in  marches,  in  the 
trenches,  in  the  storms  of  battle,  and  in  the  prisons  of  the  foe,  had 
for  years  braved  the  hardships  of  war,  fell  words  of  childlike  faith 
and  trust,  testifying  to  the  reality  of  that  hope  in  Christ  which  had 
never  deserted  them,  and  which  the  darkness  of  the  world  could 
never  take  away.  It  was  in  truth  a  Pentecostal  season  to  hundreds 
of  souls,  one  that  can  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  were  permitted 
to  partake  in  that  "harvest  home." 

Only  a  few  short  weeks  did  these  scenes  continue.  The  order  came, 
the  regiments  passed  away,  each  to  its  parent  State,  and  henceforth 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  to  live  only  on  the  pages  of  history 
and  in  the  memories  of  men.  And  with  it  closed  that  work,  Avhich, 
beginning  in  the  efforts  of  a  few  to  bring  the  blessings  of  practical 
Christianity  to  men  who,  in  the  new  life  of  the  army,  were  denied  the 


448  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

privileges  of  home,  had  extended  over  the  whole  period  of  the  war ; 
a  work  which  had  embraced  the  labors  of  hundreds  of  the  Lord's 
children ;  which  had  been  followed,  in  its  mission  to  the  afflicted  and 
the  lost,  by  the  prayers  of  ten  times  ten  thousand  faithful  hearts ; 
which  had,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  brought  healing  to  many  a  faint- 
ing body  and  life  to  many  a  perishing  soul.  Its  record,  too,  shall 
live  in  the  memories  of  men.  Thousands  will  have  reason  to  bear  it 
in  thankful  remembrance  for  the  help  it  brought  to  them  in  their 
hour  of  extremity.  Thousands,  stricken  in  the  battles  of  the  Penin- 
sula, at  Chantilly,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Get- 
tysburg, Wilderness,  Cold  Ha,rbor,  Petersburg  and  Richmond, —  those 
fainting  by  weariness  on  marches,  and  languishing  by  disease  in  army 
hospitals, — have  reason  to  thank  God  for  the  help  rendered  them  in 
the  name  of  Christ.  The  souls  that  have  in  a  hundred  stations 
found  peace  through  faith  in  His  name,  and  been  made  heirs  to  an 
inheritance  incorruptible  and  eternal,  will  never  forget  that  work. 
When  those  who  as  humble  instruments  in  the  hand  of  God  for  this 
work,  and  those  whom  they  sought  to  benefit,  shall  alike  have  passed 
away  from  earth  and  been  forgotten,  the  influence  of  their  labors 
shall  still  exist,  imperishable  as  eternity. 

The  following  incidents,  reported  by  Mr.  Williams, 
still  further  illustrate  the  methods  adopted  in  the  sta- 
tions, and  the  success  attending  them : — 

About  a  mile  to  the  rear  of  New  Market  Station,  in  a  brigade  of 
the  third  division  of  the  Twenty- fourth  Corps,  commanded  by  General 
Henry,  was  Henry  Station,  one  of  the  neatest  and  most  finely  ar- 
ranged stations  in  all  the  armies.  It  was  established  in  December, 
1864,  and  labor  here  continued  uninterrupted  till  April  3d,  1865. 
The  chapel  was  a  tent,  forty  by  thirty  feet,  neatly  seated.  The  tent 
was  pitched  and  seated,  and  the  house  for  the  Delegates  erected,  by 
soldiers  who  volunteered  to  do  this  work,  out  of  pure  love  to  the 
Commission  and  a  desire  to  enjoy  the  benefits  of  the  meetings.  The 
meetings  were  always  well  attended,  and  a  steady,  quiet  interest  per- 
vaded them  all. 

One  evening  we  were  sitting  around  the  fire,  discussing  various 
subjects,  and  among  them  the  best  way  of  reaching  the  soldiers.  A 


ARMY   OF   THE    POTOMAC. 1865.  449 

soldier,  who  had  come  in  unobserved  with  one  of  the  Delegates  after 
the  evening  meeting,  and  had  sat  in  silence,  listening  to  our  conver- 
sation, started  up  with  energy  and  great  determination,  and  trembling 
in  every  limb,  stepped  forward,  placed  both  hands  upon  the  table, 
looked  us  full  in  the  face,  and  said,  with  the  deepest  feeling,  "  Well, 
Christian  brethren,  I  have  come  in  to  ask  you  to  pray  with  me." 
We  dropped  upon  our  knees  at  once,  rebuked  in  our  hearts  that  we 
had  not,  some  of  us,  noticed  his  anguish  and  spoken  to  him  before. 
Every  member  of  our  circle  besought  God's  Spirit,  and  then  he  who 
had  asked  our  prayers  prayed  for  himself.  One  of  our  number  went 
with  the  young  man  to  his  tent,  and  the  next  day  he  was  rejoicing  in 
his  new-found  hope. 

Not  long  after,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Delegates 
were  aroused  by  a  loud  knocking  at  the  door  of  their  tent.  One  of 
them  arose,  and  found  two  men  in  deep  distress  for  their  soul's  salva- 
tion, anxious  to  have  the  brethren  pray  with  them.  Candles  were 
lighted,  and  the  morning  hours  wore  away  in  earnest  supplication 
with  God  that  he  would  give  peace  to  these  earnest  seekers.  Peace 
came,  and  through  their  influence  many  others  were  brought  to 
Christ,  till  the  number  of  conversions  at  the  station  exceeded  a  hun- 
dred. Nor  was  the  interest  confined  to  the  meetings  in  our  chapel, 
but  extended  to  regiments  which  had  chaplains,  who  held  religious 
services  among  their  own  men. 

One  evening  a  man  belonging  to  a  battery,  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
from  our  chapel,  strayed  over  to  the  meeting.  He  became  greatly 
interested  in  the  service.  When  about  half-way  home  he  kneeled 
by  a  stump  and  prayed.  The  next  night,  with  a  companion,  he 
sought  the  meeting  again.  The  stump  saw  two  praying  souls  that 
night,  and  upon  their  return  to  camp  they  began  to  work  for  Christ, 
and  in  a  few  weeks  forty  men  out  of  that  battery  alone  found  peace 
in  believing. 

The  following  sketch  of  one  day's  work  among  the 
cavalry  is  given  by  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Lawrence : 

As  we  came  down  from  Hatcher's  Run,  two  days  ago,  we  met 
Sheridan's  Cavalry  just  in  from  the  White  House,  filing  off  to  the 
left  of  our  line.  On  reaching  City  Point  I  found  a  plan  was  on  foot 

57 


450  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

to  pay  these  flying  soldiers  a  flying  visit,  and  in  two  hours  brothers 
Loomis,  Carpenter,  Roberts,  French  and  myself,  were  moving  out 
with  a  four-horse  wagon-load  of  supplies.  We  came  upon  Sheridan's 
rnen  at  ten  the  next  morning,  encamped  for  the  day,  three  miles 
North  of  Hatcher's  Run.  We  soon  had  our  wagon  "  in  position,"  and 
opened  upon  them  with  a  brisk  fire  of  Testaments,  hymn-books, 
papers,  writing-paper,  needles,  thread,  etc.,  till  we  had  pretty  effectu- 
ally silenced  calls  in  that  direction.  A  box  of  Adams  Express 
envelopes,  packed  among  our  stores,  proved  a  special  providence,  for 
the  paymasters  came  into  camp  that  morning  and  commenced  pay- 
ing off  the  regiments.  We  gave  out  word  at  once  that  we  would 
express  it  home  for  them,  as  soon  as  we  could  pitch  our  tent  and  get 
things  in  readiness.  We  selected  a  central  spot  near  General  Mer- 
ritt's  headquarters,  floated  the  blue  Christian  Commission  flag, 
cooked  our  own  dinner  in  the  old  Atlanta  campaign  style,  deployed 
brothers  French,  Page,  and  Hamilton  (who  came  up  as  reinforce- 
ments), as  skirmishers  among  the  camp,  pitched  our  tent,  posted 
brother  Roberts  outside  with  the  reading-matter,  stationery,  etc.,  as  a 
sort  of  "  advance  picket,"  while  Loomis,  Carpenter,  and  I  took  up  a 
strong  position  behind  a  breastwork  of  boxes  at  the  entrance  of  the 
tent,  and  prepared  to  receive  the  "enemy," — the  love  of  which  is  the 
root  of  all  evil, — in  a  becoming  manner. 

The  boys  were  ready  with  their  money  as  soon  as  we  were  ready 
to  receive  it,  and  all  three  fell  hard  at  work.  Carpenter,  veteran 
Christian  Commission  cashier  and  expressman,  was  in  his  glory. 
Seated  on  a  box  of  farina,  with  an  empty  dry  goods  box  for  a  desk, 
and  a  broken  blackberry  cordial  bottle  for  an  inkstand,  his  coat  off, 
and  taking  money  and  names,  giving  Testaments  and  answering 
questions,  his  face  radiant  with  benevolence  and  fun, — you  should 
have  seen  and  heard  him.  "  Who 's  the  next  man  that  wants  to  send 
his  money  home?"  "John  Monoye."  "How  d'ye  spell  it?" 
"J-o-h-n."  "No!  I  know  how  to  spell  John, — the  last  name?" 
"  Yes,  my  friend,  I  hope  that  book  will  be  your  constant  compan- 
ion." "  Write  to  United  States  Christian  Commission,  City  Point, 
for  your  receipt,  if  the  money  don't  go  right."  "Who's  the  next 
man  ?  A  bundle  to  send  home ;  Loomis,  that's  in  your  department. 
Don't  hurry,  boys ;  we  shall  be  here  all  night,  if  you  don't  crowd  us 
to  death  before."  "  One  hundred  dollars."  "  Mrs.  or  Miss  ? "  "  All 


ARMY    OF   THE    POTOMAC. 1865.  451 

right."  "Writing  paper?  That  man  outside  will  give  it  to  you." 
"  Yes,  get  a  permit  from  your  company  commander,  and  Mr.  Loomis 
there  will  send  it  for  you."  "  You're  very  welcome,  sir ;  your  wife 
will  be  glad  to  get  the  money,  no  doubt."  "Christian  Kempfer?  I 
hope  you  are  a  Christian  indeed.  How  is  that?"  "  How  much  did 
you  say?" — and  so  on  till  at  eleven  at  night,  when  we  closed  the  tent. 
We  had  received  two  hundred  and  fifty-seven  packages  of  money, 
containing  in  all  over  twenty-two  thousand  dollars.  We  wrote  out 
invoices  till  one,  then  put  the  money  under  our  heads  for  a  pillow, 
and  slept  soundly  till  daylight,  when  we  were  roused  up,  and,  with- 
out time  to  make  so  simple  a  toilet  as  to  put  on  our  coats,  com- 
menced expressing  money  again  in  the  greatest  haste.  The  whole 
command  were  ordered  to  move  at  an  early  hour,  and  this  was  the 
last  chance  the  poor  fellows  might  ever  have  to  send  their  well- 
earned  money  to  old  father  or  wife  or  children.  At  nine  o'clock  we 
had  expressed  three  hundred  and  sixty-nine  packages,  containing 
over  thirty  thousand  dollars.  Then  came  the  bugle  order  "  prepare 
to  march,"  "  mount,"  and  in  a  few  minutes  all  around  us  was  as 
silent  as  a  prairie.  The  whole  command  had  vanished,  and  our 
short  work  was  done. 

We  had  been  among  them  only  twenty-four  hours,  but  it  seemed 
like  a  year's  work  of  common  life,  so  crowded  were  the  hours  with 
opportunities  to  serve  these  dear  fellows  that  we  can  reach  but 
seldom  at  the  best.  The  pleasantest  part  of  it  all  was,  the  faith  the 
men  had  in  us  as  members  of  the  Commission.  They  handed  over 
their  money  to  us  without  asking  a  question  or  taking  any  kind  of  a 
receipt.  We  were  Christian  Commission  and  they  were  all  right, 
and  in  this  confidence  was  their  strongest  security  after  all ;  for  I 
would  work  my  fingers  to  the  bone  sooner  than  by  any  fault  of  mine 
such  men  should  lose  and  such  trust  be  betrayed.  God  grant  that 
in  due  time  the  name  of  Christian  may  mean  always  "  not  slothful  iu 
business"  as  well  as  "fervent  in  spirit;"  may  mean  all  that  is  noble 
and  lovely  and  trustworthy ;  and  thanks  be  to  Him  if  the  Commis- 
sion can  do  anything  toward  bringing  back  to  Christ  once  more  the 
blessed  name  of  Christian ! 

A  few  days  later,  while  the  battle  of  Five  Forks  was  raging,  one 
of  Sheridan's  men,  galloping  past  a  Delegate,  caught  sight  of  the 
badge,  reined  up,  fumbled  under  his  blouse,  drew  out  a  roll  of  baiik 


452  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

hills,  and  turning  it  into  the  Delegate's  hand,  said,  "Send  this  to  my 

sister,  Sarah  J ;  she  lives  in  —    — ."     Before  the  Delegate  could 

ask  the  name  and  regiment  of  the  unknown  cavalryman  he  had 
taken  his  place  in  the  line  ready  for  action.  The  money  was  sent, 
and  we  trust  the  brave  man  came  out  of  the  fight  to  confirm  at  home 
his  confidence  in  the  badge  of  the  Christian  Commission. 

Mr.  Williams  gives  the  following  report  of  the  educa- 
tional work  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Corps: — 

The  work  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Corps  (colored),  though  resembling 
in  its  more  general  features  that  in  the  Twenty-fourth,  yet  differed 
from  it  in  several  important  respects.  Very  many  of  the  men  could 
not  read.  It  was  useless  to  distribute  reading-matter  among  them. 
Something  must  be  done  to  teach  them.  A  meeting  of  the  chaplains 
of  this  corps  was  called  at  Butler  Station,  early  in  the  winter,  at- 
tended by  chaplains  who  had  ridden  ten  miles  through  rain  and  mud. 
The  Commission  proposed  to  furnish  teachers,  primers,  blackboards, 
chalk,  and  such  other  aid  as  might  be  necessary,  if  they  would  at 
once  organize  schools  in  their  regiments,  and  throw  their  influence  in 
favor  of  the  schools  which  the  Commission  would  organize  in  regi- 
ments destitute  of  chaplains.  Hearty  assent  was  given,  and  resolu- 
tions of  thanks  passed.  The  Executive  Committee  at  Philadelphia 
responded  cordially  to  our  appeal,  and  sent  out  circulars  calling  for 
fifty  teachers  for  colored  soldiers.  All  the  primers  in  the  market 
were  bought  up,  old  spelling-books  were  collected  in  many  a  town  at 
the  North,  blackboards  were  made  in  the  field,  and  lumber  obtained 
for  seats  and  writing-desks  for  school-rooms.  Applications  for  canvas 
were  multiplied,  negroes  in  blue  could  be  seen  everywhere,  carrying 
huge  logs  upon  their  shoulders  for  the  school-house,  till  thirty  neat 
and  commodious  edifices  attested  the  eagerness  of  the  colored  men  to 
learn  to  read  and  write.  Officers  uniformly  approved  the  plan,  and 
in  a  very  short  time  after  the  meeting  at  Butler  Station  schools  were 
in  progress  in  nearly  every  regiment  in  the  Twenty-fifth  Corps.  To 
facilitate  this  work  two  very  large  Commission  stations  were  estab- 
lished in  the  corps,  and  both  being  within  easy  reach  of  the  enemy's 
guns,  gave  every  newly-arrived  Delegate  the  peculiar  sensations  of 
being  for  the  first  time  under  fire.  Birney  Station,  named  in  honor 


A1IMY    OF    THE    POTOMAC. 1865.  453 

of  Major-General  D.  B.  Birney,  who  showed  us  great  kindness 
from  first  to  last,  was  located  upon  a  hill,  just  in  the  rear  of  Fort 
Burnham,  and  under  the  guns  of  the  rebel  Fort  Gilmer.  The 
chapel-tent  was  pitched,  seated  and  dedicated  in  a  single  day.  The 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Edward  Hawes,  of  Philadelphia, 
whose  people  generously  paid  six  hundred  dollars  for  the  canvas,  and 
named  it  the  "Hawes  Tabernacle."  Ten  regiments  were  reached 
from  this  station.  The  schools  were  held  in  day  and  evening  sessions. 
The  men  came  in  by  reliefs,  as  picket  and  fatigue  duty  would  allow, 
three  thousand  in  a  week,  for  their  turn  to  drink  at  this  little  stream 
of  knowledge.  They  showed  great  eagerness  to  learn.  Some,  with- 
out any  knowledge  of  the  alphabet,  learned  to  read  in  easy  sentences 
in  six  days.  And  for  the  majority,  according  to  the  uniform  report 
of  the  teachers,  the  average  time  required  to  learn  to  read  in  easy 
sentences  was  only  four  weeks.  The  pupils  carried  out  the  normal 
system  thoroughly,  for  as  soon  as  they  had  acquired  one  letter  they 
cast  about  at  once  to  teach  it  to  some  one  more  ignorant  than  them- 
selves. So  that  one  teacher,  multiplied  in  this  geometrical  ratio,  was 
very  soon  felt  as  an  educating  power  in  an  entire  regiment.  As  an 
educational,  civilizing,  religious  effort,  the  work  of  the  winter  was 
abundantly  successful.  It  was  the  uniform  testimony  of  the  chap- 
lains and  the  officers  of  the  regiments,  that  those  taught  in  our 
schools  were  more  obedient  and  respectful  to  their  officers;  discipline 
was  improved ;  habits  of  vice  Avere  checked,  and  in  many  cases  gen- 
uine religious  interest  was  excited. 

Wild  Station,  a  mile  to  the  south  of  Birney,  and  three-fourths  of 
a  mile  from  Fort  Brady,  was  conducted  on  the  general  plan  above 
described.  Schools  were  established  in  each  regiment ;  services  were 
held  in  the  open  air,  for  the  benefit  of  the  regiments,  upon  the  Sab- 
bath ;  and  prayer-meetings  attended  during  the  week.  But  the  great 
work  here,  as  at  Birney,  was  the  instruction  of  the  men.  Hundreds 
of  those  who  could  not  read  at  the  beginning  of  winter  were  suffi- 
ciently advanced  at  its  close  to  read  in  the  Testament;  and  many  of 
them  had  learned  to  write  with  rapidity  and  elegance.  It  \v:i~  m» 
uncommon  thing  for  one,  riding  along  the  line  of  works  held  by  this 
corps,  to  see  men  at  every  step  of  his  progress,  reading  or  studying 
in  their  primers,  politely  bowing  as  he  passed,  as  if  they 
in  him  the  giver  of  the  blessings  they  had  found. 


454  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

From  eight  to  ten  thousand  papers  per  week  were  distributed  in 
this  corps,  and  we  had  the  assurance  that  they  were  read  with  quite 
as  much  care  and  interest  as  in  any  part  of  the  army.  Testaments, 
tracts  and  Bibles  were  also  distributed  freely,  and  at  the  opening  of 
the  campaign  few  men  marched  without  something  to  read  in  their 
knapsacks.  After  the  capture  of  Lee's  army,  and  the  return  of  the 
Twenty-fifth  Corps  to  the  vicinity  of  City  Point,  the  work  was,  at  the 
request  of  the  General  in  command,  again  commenced,  and  from 
every  officer  in  authority,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  all  possible 
assistance  was  given  to  the  Delegates,  who  were  ready  to  devote 
themselves  to  the  instruction  of  the  men. 

When  the  corps  subsequently  embarked  for  Texas,  Mr.  William 
Kirkby,  the  corps  agent,  whose  earnest  efforts  had  already  accom- 
plished much  for  the  men,  accompanied  them,  taking  supplies  for  the 
sick,  and  material  for  opening  schools  when  they  should  again  go 
into  camp.  He  was  afterwards  joined  by  other  Delegates,  who  car- 
ried on  the  work  which  had  been  so  well  begun,  establishing  stations 
and  schools  at  several  points  on  the  Rio  Grande  and  at  Indianola. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

WORK    IN   THE  ARMY   OF  THE    CUMBERLAND.1 

UNTIL  the  telegrams  reached  Philadelphia  of  the 
battle  of  Stone  River,  Dec.  31,  1862,  the  Christian 
Commission  had  done  little  work  in  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  except  to  supply  chaplains  and  other 
volunteer  distributors,  by  mail  and  express,  with  reli- 
gious papers  and  the  Scriptures.  Upon  the  announce- 
ment of  this  battle  an  enthusiastic  night  meeting 
gathered  in  the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association.  Thirty-two  Delegates  volunteered,  were 
equipped  and  supplied  with  three  tons  of  battle  stores, 
and  at  11  o'clock  p.  M.  Delegates  and  supplies  were  on 
the  express  train  for  the  West.  At  Nashville  they 
were  met  by  another  party  of  Delegates,  hastening  from 
Chicago  on  the  same  mission.  Owing  to  want  of  pre- 
paration and  previous  organization,  and  in  the  confusion 
incident  to  a  decisive  army  movement  and  a  great 
battle,  this  attempt  at  relief  was  not  altogether  satisfac- 
tory in  its  results ;  yet,  so  great  were  the  demand  and 
opportunities  for  personal  ministrations,  in  the  extem- 
porized hospitals  at  Murfreesboro'  and  Nashville,  that 
these  Delegates  were  able  to  bring  great  relief  to  many 

1  This  chapter  was  prepared  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Smith,  General  Field  Agent  in 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

455 


456  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

suffering  men.  This  experience  prepared  the  way  for  a 
more  efficient  work,  and  two  months  later,  Rev.  E.  P. 
Smith1  was  sent  to  organize  and  superintend  the  Com- 
mission work  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Mr. 
Smith  reached  Nashville  in  April,  with  four  boxes  of 
supplies  and  seven  Delegates. 

The  coming  of  the  Commission  was  most  opportune. 
A  council  of  army  chaplains,  convened  at  Murfreesboro' 
a  few  days  before,  had  appointed  a  committee  to  devise 
means  to  furnish  their  regiments  with  Testaments  and 
religious  reading.  They  welcomed  the  Commission 
most  heartily,  and  from  that  day  to  the  end  of  the  war 
the  relations  between  the  chaplains  in  this  department 
and  the  Commission  were  most  happy  and  mutually 
beneficial.  They  gave  the  Delegates  free  access  to  their 
regiments,  made  appointments  for  them,  and  often  came 
in  to  take  part  in  Commission  meetings. 

The  difficulties  of  transportation  with  which  this 
army  contended  during  all  its  campaigns  modified  the 
Commission's  method  of  field  labor.  Instead  of  follow- 
ing the  troops,  with  wagons  loaded  with  supplies,  and 
tents  for  chapels  and  Delegates'  quarters,  the  Commission 
was  obliged  to  keep  to  the  line  of  the  railroads,  taking 
supplies  on  the  cars,  and  finding  chapel  room  and  storage 
and  quarters  in  churches  and  other  buildings  assigned 
by  military  order.2  The  same  difficulty  of  transporta- 
tion, however,  kept  the  army  along  the  railroads,  and 
with  but  one  exception,  the  campaign  from  Nashville  to 

1  See  p.  147. 

2  This  difference  of  method  will  explain  the  fact  that  few  chapel-tents  were 
used  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  that  it  furnished  no  pictorial  illus- 
tration for  these  Annals. 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   457 

Atlanta,  in  every  halt  of  even  a  few  days  the  main  body 
of  troops  camped  around  some  town  or  village,  where, 
by  the  favor  of  the  military,  the  Commission  found  good 
buildings  for  its  purposes  of  living  and  working.  A 
Commission  "station"  consists  of  chapel,  store-room, 
soldiers'  reading  and  writing-room,  and  quarters  for 
from  five  to  fifty  Delegates.  Frequently  in  the  time  of 
a  battle  or  the  occupation  of  a  newly-captured  town,  one 
large  hall  or  a  church  has  been  made  for  a  few  days  to 
fill  all  these  offices.  When  the  army  moved,  driving 
the  enemy  along  the  railroad,  the  construction  corps 
followed,  repairing  the  road  and  relaying  the  track. 
While  this  was  being  done  the  Delegates  walked  with 
the  army,  and  the  stores  were  sent  forward  upon  govern- 
ment wagons  and  in  the  ambulances  which  had  come  in 
with  the  sick  and  were  returning  empty  to  the  front. 

At  once,  on  entering  the  lines,  rooms  were  opened  at 
Nashville  and  Murfreesboro'.  At  Nashville,  Delegate 
Crawford  was  left  in  charge,  and  was  very  fortunate  in 
securing  a  large  store-room,  on  Cherry  street,  just 
vacated  by  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission. 
For  the  first  four  months  this  store  was  our  only  home, 
and  the  Delegates  will  not  soon  forget  their  initiation 
into  army  life, — sleeping  on  dry  goods  shelves  and  boxes, 
partaking  the  scanty  fare  served  up  by  a  disabled  sol- 
dier, who  volunteered  to  cook  for  our  mess.  As  supplies 
from  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  forwarded  from  the 
branch  offices  at  Cincinnati  and  Pittsburg,  multiplied, 
other  quarters  for  Delegates  and  another  store-room 
were  obtained,  and  this  large  room  was  used  during  the 
war  as  a  reading  and  free  writing-room  for  soldiers. 

The  use  made  of  this  room  will  be  readily  seen  from 

58 


458  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  card  put  into  the  hands  of  the  soldiers  as  they 
entered:  — 

The  newspapers  hanging  on  the  files  are  dailies  and  weeklies  from  your  State 

and  County.    Sit  down  and  read, 
The  writing-table  and  stationery  on  the  left  are  for  your  use.    They  want  to 

hear  from  you  at  home.     If  out  of  stamps,  drop  your  letter  in  the  box;  we 

will  stamp  and  mail  it. 
Those  Testaments,  hymn-books,  and  religious  papers  were  sent  to  you;  take 

one. 
That  library  back  of  the  railing  has  many  interesting  books ;  find  the  one  you 

like,  have  it  recorded,  and  return  it  in  five  days. 
If  you  are  in  trouble,  speak  to  any  agent  in  the  room ;  you  are  the  one  he  wants 

to  see. 
At  3?  P.M.  everybody  come  to  our  "  prayer-meeting"  in  the  Second  Presbyterian 

Church,  College  Street,  below  the  Public  Square.  The  Saviour  will  be  there. 

He  says,  "Come."1 

Directly  opposite  were  the  Maxwell  Barracks,  called 
by  the  soldiers  "  Zollicoffer,"  composed  of  the  roof, 
walls,  and  partitions  of  a  large  five-story  hotel,  without 
windows  and  without  fire.  This  was  the  Soldier's  Ex- 
change. On  his  way  to  or  from  the  front,  while  he  re- 
mained in  Nashville,  he  was  a  prisoner  in  these  forlorn 
rooms.  Hundreds,  and  sometimes  as  many  as  three 
thousand,  were  put  in  for  the  night,  nearly  all  of  them 
to  pass  on  in  the  morning.  Here  the  Commission  had 
an  interesting  work  during  the  war.2  Each  morning  the 
soldiers  leaving  for  the  front  were  supplied  with  papers, 
Testaments,  and  hymn-books.  There  were  few  soldiers 
in  all  Kosecrans's  or  Sherman's  army  who  did  not  have 
at  least  one  night's  experience  in  these  barracks. 

1  A  tall  Wisconsin  soldier  drew  his  sleeve  across  his  moistened  eye  as  he 
read  this  card.     When  asked  if  he  was  in  trouble,  "  No,"  said  he,  "  but  this  is 
the  first  roof  under  which  I  have  beeii  made  welcome  since  I  came  from  home." 

2  On  the  first  night  of  his  arrival  Delegate  Crawford  made  his  way  to  the 
third  story,  and  called   the  soldiers   together   for  a  prayer- meeting,  which 
succeeding  Delegates  sustained,  with  scarcely  an  interruption,  until  July,  1865. 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   459 

Iii  May,  Delegate  Moody,  from  Chicago,  opened  a 
daily  prayer-meeting  in  the  basement  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  which  was  kept  up  without  inter- 
mission for  a  year,  and  was  then  removed  to  McKendree 
Chapel.  By  its  long  continuance  it  became  widely 
known  in  the  army,  and  was  the  favorite  resort  of 
Christian  soldiers  passing  through,  and  especially  of 
those  who  were  seeking  to  become  Christians.  During 
the  first  winter  it  was  led  daily  by  the  Colonel  of  the 
Eighteenth  Michigan  Regiment.  In  these  meetings, 
for  a  few  months,  the  frequent  testimony  from  the 
soldiers  was,  "  This  is  the  first  prayer-meeting  I  have 
had  the  privilege  of  attending  since  I  enlisted."  Before 
the  year  closed  such  statements  were  seldom  heard  in 
any  part  of  the  army. 

Six  large  hospitals  in  Nashville  soon  came  into  the 
care  of  the  Commission  religiously.  Convalescent  Camp, 
beyond  the  Chattanooga  depot,  presented  a  most  inte- 
resting field  of  labor.  The  men  gathered  here  were 
neither  sick  nor  well.  Separated  from  their  comrades 
and  their  regimental  quarter  masters,  they  were  in  deso- 
late and  often  destitute  circumstances.  A  daily  prayer- 
meeting  was  held  for  a  while  in  the  open  air,  whenever 
the  weather  would  permit,  and  large  quantities  of  cloth- 
ing were  distributed.  In  the  autumn  a  large  chapel 
tent  was  erected,  s  which  served  for  reading-room  and 
writing-room,  and  chapel  for  two  services  per  day. 
The  commandant  of  the  camp,  stopping  the  agent  on 
the  street  one  day  after  the  opening  of  the  chapel,  said, 
"  You  have  let  a  streak  of  sunshine  into  my  camp." 

Murfreesboro'  was  headquarters  of  the  army  at  the 
time  of  the  arrival  of  the  Commission,  and  for  three 


460  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

months  afforded  rare  opportunity  for  its  work.  Rev. 
Henry  Powers  was  Delegate  in  charge.1  Nearly  forty 
thousand  men,  made  thoughtful  in  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  were  encamped  within  the  radius  of  a  mile.  A 
large  majority  of  them  had  lost  their  Testaments,  with 
their  knapsacks,  in  that  battle.  A  systematic  distribu- 
tion of  the  Scriptures  to  all  the  regiments  was  at  once 
undertaken.  In  the  month  of  May,  twenty-five  thou- 
sand copies  of  Scripture,  donated  by  the  American  Bible 
Society,  and  thirty  thousand  soldiers'  hymn-books,  were 
given  away,  and  never  has  God's  praise  been  sung  in 
nobler  chorus  than  that  with  which  the  camps  around 
Murfreesboro'  echoed  in  those  summer  evenings.  In  a 
few  weeks  there  were  tokens  of  unusual  religious  interest. 
Chaplains  held  extra  meetings  in  their  regiments.  The 
Delegates,  increased  to  thirty,  labored  incessantly  and 
with  most  blessed  results, — holding  prayer-meetings, 
distributing  religious  reading,  preaching  in  camps,  and 
persuading  men  everywhere  to  accept  the  Saviour. 
Many  a  halting  Christian  was  revived  and  saved,  and 
souls  by  scores  were  converted  to  Christ.  At  one  of  the 
moonlight  meetings,  in  Convalescent  Camp,  five  hundred 
arose  for  prayers. 

Often  since,  along  the  line  of  the  army's  march  and 
in  Chattanooga,  in  the  soldiers'  meetings,  has  grateful 
mention  been  made  of  the  refreshing  from  the  Lord  at 

1  For  the  first  six  months  of  the  work  in  the  army  of  the  Cumberland,  be- 
fore the  abundant  hospital  supplies  came  in  from  Cincinnati  and  Pittsburg, 
only  two  permanent  agents  were  employed,  the  other  work  being  done  by 
Delegates.  Those  who  held  the  more  important  positions  remained  from  six 
to  eight  weeks.  Afterward,  as  the  stores  for  distribution  increased,  the  number 
of  permanent  men  in  charge  was  increased  to  eight,  who  held  all  the  import- 
ant points  of  the  Commission  in  this  armv. 


WORK  IX  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   461 

Murfreesboro'.  In  the  September  following,  several 
soldiers,  coming  from  the  front,  on  a  train  of  cars, 
passed  over  the  field  of  Stone  River  battle.  They  were 
recounting  their  campaigns  and  fights.  They  had  been 
at  Pea  Ridge,  Shiloh,  Fort  Donelson,  and  Perryville. 
"  Yes,  partner,"  replied  one  of  the  group,  "  I  know  as 
much  of  those  fights  as  any  of  you ;  but  yonder  is  a 
spot," — pointing  to  the  remains  of  a  brush  camp, — 
"  which  I  shall  remember  when  I  have  forgotten  them 
all,  and  this  Stone  River  beside."  "What's  there?" 
asked  his  comrades.  "  I  found  Jesus  there,"  was  the 
answer.  An  Illinois  lieutenant  said,  with  deep  emotion, 
at  a  meeting  in  Stevenson,  "I  was  just  giving  up  my 
religion  when  God  saved  me,  in  your  prayer-meetings  at 
Murfreesboro'." 

This  remarkable  religious  interest  continued  and 
deepened  until  the  army  broke  camp,  June  24.  The 
Commission  station  at  Murfreesboro'  was  kept  up  till 
August,  ministering  to  the  garrison  and  to  a  large  con- 
valescent camp.  In  October,  the  hospitals  with  the 
wounded  from  Chickamauga  again  called  for  the  relief 
and  religious  ministrations  of  the  Delegates.  The  sta- 
tion was  reopened,  and  the  Delegates  continued  for 
nearly  a  year  to  labor  most  harmoniously  and  delight- 
fully with  the  post  chaplain,  Rev.  William  Earnshaw. 

At  Tullahoma  a  station  was  set  up,  and  clothing  and 
reading  distributed  to  the  men  who  lost  their  knapsacks 
in  the  fight  at  Hoover's  Gap  and  in  the  march  of  seven- 
teen rainy  days. 

With  Winchester  for  headquarters,  the  army  rested 
about  four  weeks.  Here  the  Commission  work,  broken 
off  at  Murfreesboro',  began  again.  Regiments  were 


462  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

supplied  with  religious  reading,  preaching  services  and 
prayer-meetings  were  held  in  camps,  and  two  daily 
prayer-meetings  in  the  churches  in  town.  "The  blessed 
season  at  Winchester"  was  afterwards  a  frequent  topic 
at  the  front,  as  the  Delegates  met  the  men  who  prayed 
and  sang  with  them  there. 

Cowan,  as  the  army  moved  on  to  Stevenson,  became 
the  convalescent  camp,  and,  like  all  such  camps,  was 
naturally  a  desolate  place.  To  these  convalescents  the 
Commission  ministered  with  hospital  stores,  reading- 
matter,  and  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord,  through  the  sympa- 
thy and  earnest  labor  of  Delegates.  In  this  exhausting 
labor  two  of  the  Delegates  broke  down  and  returned  to 
Nashville ;  where  one  recovered  from  a  protracted 
fever,  and  the  other,  Mr.  A.  R.  Dyer,  of  Harmony, 
Maine,  after  partial  recovery,  died,  on  Sunday,  the  loth 
of  November. 

At  Stevenson,  while  the  army  halted  in  the  march  to 
Chattanooga,  and  for  the  three  months  after,  till  Dec.  1, 
the  Commission  labored  in  the  large  field  hospital  and 
among  the  camps.  General  Sheridan  gave  the  Commis- 
sion the  only  church  in  the  place,  which,  with  its  two 
stories,  made  a  Delegate's  home,  a  writing-room  and  a 
chapel,  and  often  quarters  for  soldiers  passing  to  their 
regiments  and  spending  the  night  in  Stevenson  without 
shelter  or  food.  At  this  point,  also,  Rev.  B.  Parsons, 
agent  in  charge,  received  and  fed  with  coffee,  bread, 
and  soup,  hundreds  of  wounded  men  brought  in  ambu- 
lances and  wagons  from  the  battle-field  of  Chickamauga, 
on  their  way  to  Nashville.  The  commissary  of  the 
post  saw  what  Mr.  Parsons  was  trying  to  do,  and  volun- 


WOJIK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       463 

tarily  ordered  rations  and  a  detail  of  fifty  men  to  carry 
out  the  plan.1  Many  and  nlany  a  heartfelt  "  God  bless 
you!"  did  the  warm  food  call  forth,  from  sufferers  in  all 
stages  of  wounds  and  fevers,  who  had  ridden  sixty  miles 
in  government  wagons  without  springs,  over  the  rocky 
steeps  of  Waldon's  Ridge  and  through  the  muddy  Ten- 
nessee bottoms. 

At  Bridgeport,  ten  miles  farther  on,  a  tent  station  was 
opened.  Here  Major-General  Howard,  in  command, 
left  nothing  undone  for  the  comfort  and  success  of  the 
Commission.  In  addition  to  our  work  among  the  troops, 
he  requested  the  agent,  Rev.  R.  D.  Douglass,  to  take 
charge  of  some  poor  families  in  the  vicinity,  and  to 
draw  rations  for  their  weekly  supply.  Many  of  the 
wounded  from  Chickamauga  were  put  into  hospitals  at 
this  point.  By  an  arrangement  with  the  surgeon  in 
charge,  a  Delegate  went  daily,  at  a  stated  hour,  to  offi- 
ciate in  the  burial  service  of  the  dead.  For  several 
weeks  the  deaths  averaged  three  per  day.  One  Dele- 
gate reports,  during  his  time  of  service,  one  hundred 


The  following  are  the  orders  alluded  to :  — 

>MMISSA 

September  24,  1863. 


OFFICE  ISSUING  COMMISSARY,  STEVENSON,  ALA.,  "i 


ALL  BAKERIES  AT  THIS  POST:  — 

Yon  will  deliver  to  Rev.  Benjamin  Parsons,  Field  Agent  of  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission,  all  the  fresh  bread  that  he  may  need  for  the  use 
of  wounded  soldiers,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same.  I  will  replace  the  bread 
with  flour  pound  for  pound.  This  to  remain  in  force  until  further  orders. 

J.  R.  FITCH,  Captain  and  Acting  Commissary. 

STEVENSON,  ALA.,  September  24,  1863. 
ISSUING  CLERK:  — 

Deliver  to  Rev.  Benjamin  Parsons,  Field  Agent  United  States  Christian 
Commission,  what  sugar  and  coffee  he  may  need,  taking  his  receipt  for  the 

same. 

J.  R.  FITCH,  Captain  and.  Acting  Commissary. 


464  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

funerals  at  this  hospital, — writing  a  letter  and  sending 
a  lock  of  hair  to  friends  in'each  case  where  the  address 
could  be  found. 

The  quartermaster  of  the  post  offered  a  tent,  benches, 
and  desks,  if  the  Commission  would  open  a  school  for 
the  children  of  the  poor  white  employees  of  the  govern- 
ment. Delegate  Hughes  from  Ohio  undertook  it,  and 
made  it  a  very  happy  part  of  the  Commission  work.  A 
school  was  also  opened  for  contrabands, — adults  and 
children.  The  chapel  tent,  with  its  daily  service  of 
prayer  and  preaching,  proved  a  great  comfort,  and  was 
doubtless  a  means  of  lasting  good  to  many  soldiers. 

At  Chattanooga,  a  few  days  after  the  evacuation, 
Delegate  T.  R.  Ewing  secured  rooms  in  the  town  and 
put  out  the  Christian  Commission  sign.  The  force  of 
Delegates  was  then  so  light  that,  when  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  came  on,  there  were  only  three  relief  men 
in  the  field,  and  transportation, — more  than  sixty  miles 
and  over  the  mountains, — was  so  difficult  that  very  few 
hospital  stores  were  at  hand.  But  with  those  few  the 
three  Delegates  were  able  to  minister  to  suffering  and 
dying  men.  Rev.  John  Hussey  was  sent  lay  a  surgeon, 
during  the  fight,  to  help  the  wounded  at  Crawfish  Spring 
Hospital,  and  was  captured,  with  the  hospital,  by  the 
enemy.  He  was  taken  to  Libby,  and  after  a  short  im- 
prisonment was  released  on  the  interposition  of  the 
Commission  officers  at  Philadelphia.1 

Near  the  last  of  September  a  choice  invoice  of  Com- 
mission stores  for  the  wounded  was  loaded,  by  the  quar- 
termaster at  Stevenson,  on  seven  government  wagons, 
and  put  into  the  supply  train  for  Chattanooga.  This 

1  See  p.  156. 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF   THE   CUMBERLAND.       4G5 

was  the  train  which  was  attacked  by  Wheeler's  Cavalry 
while  ascending  Waldon's  Kidge,  and  within  one  day  of 
its  destination.  The  whole  train  of  seven  hundred 
wagons,  loaded  with  supplies,  was  burned  on  the  spot 
and  the  mules  shot  in  their  harness.  The  Commission's 
loss  was  irreparable.  The  wounded  from  Chickamauga 
filled  every  available  room  in  Chattanooga.  So  crowded 
were  they  as  to  require  the  Commission  chapel,  and  even 
part  of  the  Delegates'  quarters,  for  hospital  accommoda- 
tions. For  all  the  sick  of  the  army  after  a  long  march 
and  the  wounded  after  a  hard  fight, — many  of  them 
brought  in  under  a  flag  of  truce,  having  lain  in  the 
rebels'  hands  for  ten  or  fourteen  days,  with  their  wounds 
scarcely  dressed, — there  were  very  few  supplies,  save  the 
ordinary  army  rations,  and  these  were  soon  cut  down  to 
the  one-quarter  ration.  Well  men  were  weakened  by 
hunger;  mules  staggered  about  till  they  dropped  in  the 
streets.  For  the  few  animals  that  survived  it  was  neces- 
sary to  put  a  guard  over  the  feed  boxes,  to  keep  the  sol- 
diers from  devouring  their  corn.  Men  in  hospital  sank 
away  for  want  of  nourishment.  Transportation  became 
so  difficult,  over  the  mountains,  that  six  mules  could  not 
haul  corn  enough  from  Bridgeport  for  their  own  forage 
on  the  trip  to  Chattanooga  and  return.  Bragg's  bat- 
teries, on  the  nose  of  Lookout  Mountain,  were  dropping 
occasional  shells  on  Main  Street,  as  if  in  insolent  joy 
over  our  misery  and  speedy  capture.  In  these  gloomy 
days  the  Delegates,  largely  increased  in  number  by  re- 
inforcements that  had  worked  their  way  on  foot  from 
Bridgeport,  entered  upon  by  far  the  most  important 
Commission  work  of  the  year  in  this  Department.  It 
was  to  comfort  these  desolate  and  dying  men;  to  divide 

59 


466  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  scanty  stores  at  hand,  and  every  additional  box 
brought  through  with  great  labor,  among  the  most  needy 
where  all  were  in  need;  to  provide  stationery,  and  keep 
communication  open  between  these  hospitals  and  friends 
at  home;  to  make  the  daily  round  of  the  gangrene  wards, 
and  of  cots  where  the  surgeon  had  said  there  was  no 
hope  of  recovery;  to  hold  themselves  ready  on  call  of 
ward-master  or  nurse,  to  "come  and  see  a  man  that  is 
dying  and  wants  a  chaplain ;"  and  to  take  in  trust  me- 
mentos and  last  words. 

The  general  field  hospital  was  two  miles  out  of  town, 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Tennessee  river.  Here  Dele- 
gates Burnell,  Hawes  and  Butterfield  pitched  their  tent, 
and  during  the  brief  existence  of  the  hospital  accom- 
plished great  good.  At  this  hospital  the  wounded  were 
loaded  into  mule  wagons  for  transportation  to  Bridge- 
port. The  road  lay  over  precipices  so  steep  and  rocky 
that  the  wagons  were  often  let  down  by  ropes  from  one 
rock  to  another,  amid  the  groans  and  shrieks  of  tortured 
men.  So  excruciatingly  painful  was  this  descent  of 
Waldon's  Ridge  that  some  of  the  sufferers  begged  the 
privilege  of  crawling  down  the  rocks  and  dragging  their 
wounded  limbs  after  them.  There  has  been  in  the  war 
no  more  touching  scene  than  was  presented  one  morning 
among  those  wagons,  loaded  with  wounded  and  about  to 
start  on  their  perilous  journey  to  Bridgeport.  Each 
man  lying  on  the  wagon  bottom,  without  straw  to  break 
the  rough  jolting,  and  many  without  the  canvas  cover  to 
protect  from  the  rain  and  sun,  was  experimenting  to  find 
a  comfortable  position,  and  resorting  to  all  expedients  to 
provide  himself  for  the  way  with  a  canteen  of  water  and 
a  few  hard  crackers  in  his  haversack.  All  were  thought- 


WORK    IX    THE    ARMY   OF    THE   CUMBERLAND.      467 

ful  and  anxious.  Chickamauga  was  a  defeat,  and  the 
gloom  of  an  army  strikes  first  and  deepest  upon  its  hos- 
pitals. The  Delegates  were  busy  attending,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  personal  wants  of  the  men  in  the  different 
wagons.  When  the  train  was  ready  and  waiting  the 
order  to  move,  Mr.  Burnell,  standing  on  a  driver's  seat, 
proposed  a  prayer-meeting.  "Yes,  yes,  give  us  a  prayer- 
meeting,"  came  from  a  hundred  voices.  The  hymn, 
"When  I  can  read  my  title  clear;"  a  few  words  of  the 
Saviour's  love  and  cheer ;  a  prayer  for  the  sufferers,  some 
of  whom  would  die  on  their  way,  and  for  their  comrades 
remaining,  many  of  whom  would  die  for  want  of  such 
transportation,  and  for  their  country  and  the  friends  far 
away,  perhaps  even  now  praying  for  them;  the  benedic- 
tion of  peace  and  the  fervent  responding  "amen,"  were 
all  the  services  of  this  wagon  prayer-meeting; — to  not 
a  few  of  the  worshippers  their  last  earthly  scene  of  song 
and  prayer. 

In  three  weqks  this  hospital,  depleted  by  death  and 
the  wagon  trains,  was  broken  up,  and  the  severest  ampu- 
tated cases  brought  into  Chattanooga,  to  linger  a  few 
weeks  longer. 

In  the  quarters  of  the  Commission  in  Chattanooga  a 
diet  kitchen  was  extemporized  and  superintended  by 
Mrs.  D.,  of  Wisconsin, — cod-fish  soup,  flavored  with  an 
occasional  potato,  being  the  chief  luxury  dispensed  for 
many  days.  Afterward,  when  the  wagon-route  from 
Kelly's  Landing  was  opened  by  the  timely  arrival  of 
General  Hooker's  force,  chicken,  roast  apples,  canned 
milk  and  fresh  grapes  were  added  to  the  bill  of  di^iri- 
bution.  Admission  to  all  the  wards  was  freely  granted 
by  the  surgeons,  and  in  some  of  them  the  men,  languish- 


468  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ing  from  amputation,  came  to  depend  upon  us  for  their 
daily  meal. 

Great  as  was  the  work  now  devolving  upon  the  Com- 
mission, the  difficulties  in  procuring  transportation  of 
stores  and  passes  for  Delegates  were  increasing.  No 
special  order  had  yet  been  issued  in  this  army,  giving 
the  Commission  these  facilities.  General  Grant  had 
just  assumed  command,  and  was  altogether  occupied  in 
marshaling  and  feeding  his  forces  that  were  to  relieve 
the  siege  of  Chattanooga.  A  personal  interview  was, 
however,  readily  accorded  to  the  Field  Agent  of  the 
Commission,  and  General  Grant,  after  hearing  a  state- 
ment of  the  case,  at  once  gave  orders  whereby  the  de- 
sired facilities  were  secured.1 

Early  in  November  the  Baptist  church,  which  had 
been  assigned  for  a  Commission  chapel,  and  afterwards 
taken  for  hospital  purposes,  was  restored,  and  a  series 
of  nightly  meetings  began,  which  soon  became  wonder- 
ful in  interest  and  spiritual  profit.  The  first  half  hour 
of  the  evening  was  given  to  prayer  and  relation  of 
religious  experience;  then  came  the  sermon  by  a  Dele- 
gate or  chaplain,  followed  by  a  special  service  for  those 
who  desired  to  become  Christians.  The  experiences 
were  not  the  repetitious  accounts  often  given  on  such 
occasions.  Nearly  all  the  worshippers  had  been  on  the 
Chickamauga  field.  They  had  been  saved  from  capture 
and  death,  while  many  comrades  had  fallen.  They 
crowded  to  the  chapel  with  thanksgivings  and  confes- 
sions, and  with  importunities  for  their  unconverted 
comrades  to  come  to  the  Saviour.  A  half  hour  before 
the  time  for  service  the  chapel  was  often  so  crowded  as 

1  See  p.  149,  and  the  Special  Order  given  on  p.  141. 


WORK    IN   THE   ARMY    OF   THE   CUMBERLAND.      469 

to  make  it  difficult  for  the  preacher  to  go  through  the 
aisle  to  the  pulpit.  Twenty,  forty,  and  one  night  more 
than  one  hundred,  asked  for  prayers.  One  evening, 
when  room  could  not  be  found  to  invite  forward  those 
who  desired  prayers,  and  an  expression  of  feeling  by 
the  uplifted  hand  was  called  for,  all  were  deeply  affected 
by  seeing  a  hand  thrust  in  through  the  window.  An 
anxious  soul  standing  without  desired  to  see  Jesus.  At 
a  meeting,  when  opportunity  was  given  for  any  to  ex- 
press their  feelings,  an  Illinois  soldier  arose  in  the  audi- 
ence, and,  with  a  decided  manner  and  tone,  said: — 

My  fellow  soldiers,  I  am  not  excited ;  I  am  convinced, —  that's  all. 
I  feel  that  I  ought  to  be  a  Christian, — that  I  ought  to  say  so, — to 
tell  you  so,  and  to  ask  you  to  come  with  me ;  and  now  if  there  is  a 
call  for  sinners  seeking  Christ  to  come  forward,  I  for  one  shall  go, — 
not  on  account  of  excitement,  for  I  tell  you  my  heart  never  beat 
steadier  in  my  life, — not  to  make  a  show,  for  I  have  nothing  but  sin 
to  show;  I  do  not  go  because  I  want  to, —  I  would  rather  keep  my 
seat, — but  going  will  be  telling  the  truth  ;  I  ought  to  be  a  Christian, — 
I  want  to  be  a  Christian, — and  going  forward  for  prayers  is  just  tell- 
ing the  truth  about  it.  Say,  comrades,  won't  you  go  with  me  ? 

And  without  waiting  for  their  answer,  or  for  a  formal 
invitation  from  the  preacher,  he  strode  down  the  aisle 
and  knelt  at  the  altar,  with  more  than  a  score  of  his 
comrades  following  and  kneeling  around  him.  It 
scarcely  need  be  added  that  salvation  came  that  night 
to  that  sincere  seeker.  The  interest  and  solemnity  of 
these  meetings  grew  nightly  through  the  month  of 
November,  while  the  army  preparations  for  a  great 
battle,  apparent  to  the  eye  of  veterans,  were  in  daily 
progress. 

At  length  General  Grant  had  mustered  his  forces  for 


470  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  relief  of  Chattanooga,  General  Hooker  held  the 
right,  and  General  Sherman,  marching  his  men  from 
Mississippi,  closed  in  on  the  left.  The  chapel  had  been 
ordered  vacated  for  hospital  purposes.  Every  regi- 
ment was  under  marching  orders.  Then  came  the  last 
meeting.  Every  soldier  felt  it  to  be  his  last  hour  of 
prayer  before  going  into  the  deadly  conflict.  The  meet- 
ing is  represented  as  alternating  from  painful  solemnity 
to  the  joy  of  Christian  victory ;  and  three  days  after, 
when  the  smoke  of  battle  had  cleared  up  from  Mission 
Ridge,  many  of  those  fears  and  hopes  were  found 
realized  in  the  death  of  the  brothers  of  that  meeting. 
Name  after  name,  on  the  death-roll  of  that  battle,  re- 
called those  chapel  scenes,  and  in  the  flying  hospitals 
and  the  wards  in  the  town  the  Delegates  met  daily  with 
men  who  confessed  the  blessedness  of  those  meetings. 

Near  midnight  of  Sabbath,  November  22,  General 
Howard's  corps  marched  in  silence  along  the  back  street 
of  Chattanooga,  to  take  their  position  on  the  front  and 
left  of  the  town,  in  readiness  for  the  impending  fight. 
They  were  veterans  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  who 
had  marched  up  and  down  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
crossed  the  Rappahannock  in  both  directions,  and  shared 
in  the  reputation  of  Bull  Run.  They  seemed  not  to 
have  forgotten  the  Potomac  idea  of  a  battle,  for  one  of 
them  was  overheard,  as  they  passed  by  the  Commission 
quarters,  calling  out  to  his  comrade,  "  I  say,  Jim,  who 
will  cover  Washington  to-morrow  ?  " 

On  Monday  afternoon  the  fighting  commenced  in 
front  of  the  town.  General  Thomas's  men  readily  car- 
ried Pilot  Knob,  the  highest  point  between  the  town  and 
the  ridge,  and  there  lay  on  their  arms  for  the  night. 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       471 

On  Tuesday  skirmishing  continued  all  along  the  line, 
without  decisive  result,  till  about  two  o'clock,  when  we 
heard  the  shout  of  a  charge  and  the  cheers  of  victory, 
and  saw,  through  the  lifting  clouds,  General  Hooker's 
men  chasing  the  rebel  forces  around  the  nose  of  Look- 
out Mountain.  Then  the  cheer  was  taken  up  by  divi- 
sions, and  passed  from  Lookout  along  the  foot  of 
Mission  Ridge,  through  Granger's  and  Palmer's  and 
Howard's  corps,  and  on  to  the  left,  till  it  could 
scarcely  be  heard  from  Sherman's  men  at  the  end  of  the 
Ridge,  three  miles  away.  A  party  of  Delegates  made 
their  way  that  night,  as  best  they  could,  across  Chat- 
tanooga Creek,  to  look  after  any  wounded  who  might  be 
left  on  the  field.  But  so  thoroughly  were  our  forces 
masters  of  the  situation  that  they  carried  all  their 
wounded  at  once  to  the  hospital,  and  gave  them  every 
medical  attention.  On  Wednesday  morning  the  skir- 
mishing became  more  lively.  The  General  Field  Agent 
of  the  Commission  continues  the  story  in  his  report :  — 

General  Sherman  now  began  to  strike,  heavy  blows  for  the  railroad 
communication  through  the  tunnel.  Twice  we  saw  his  long  blue 
line  move  over  a  corn-field,  up  to  the  skirts  of  the  woods,  and  fall 
rapidly  back.  The  third  time  they  marched  up  and  held  their  ground. 
We  knew  that  many  men  must  have  gone  down  under  that  terrible 
fire  at  short  range,  and  that  the  corn-field  must  be  full  of  sufferers. 
A  party  of  Delegates  started  on  foot,  to  carry  such  relief  as  they 
could,  with  coffee-kettles,  stimulants,  and  bandages.  As  we  were 
passing  along  the  line  of  General  Wood's  division,  Colonel  Stanley 
called  out  to  us,  and  pointing  up  the  ridge,  said,  "  There  will  be 
work  enough  for  you  right  here  in  a  few  minutes."  While  he  was 
speaking  a  line  of  blue  coats  went  over  our  first  line  of  works,  and  a 
little  further  on  a  line  of  gray  coats  left  theirs;  both  lines  swept  up 
the  hill.  The  rebels  massed  their  standards  and  rallied  their  forces 
at  the  point  of  the  ridge  directly  in  front  of  our  climbing  columns, 


472  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

or  rather  climbing  mass,  for  every  man  was  stretching  away  for  him- 
self, fired  with  the  single  purpose  of  gaining  the  top.  Under  this 
musketry  in  front  and  the  enfilading  fire  of  forty  cannon  trained  on 
them  from  either  side  along  the  ridge,  they  went  on  and  up,  till  the 
field  was  ours,  the  siege  of  Chattanooga  was  raised,  and  the  rebels  had 
abandoned  their  last  stronghold  along  the  line  of  the  Tennessee  river. 
Rev.  W.  F.  Loom  is,  who  had  done  most  efficient  service  in  the 
Christian  Commission,  at  that  time  an  agent  of  the  United  States 
Sanitary  Commission,  after  innumerable  difficulties,  about  three 
o'clock  the  next  morning,  reached  the  flying  hospital  in  the  corn- 
field (where  Sherman's  wounded  were  still  lying),  with  a  wagon-load 
of  battle  stores,  and  brought  immense  relief  to  the  suffering,  who 
were  waiting,  without  food  or  blankets,  for  the  ambulances  to  take 
them  to  town.  While  General  Thomas's  men  were  scaling  the  ridge 
the  Delegates'  work  commenced.  The  wounded  began  to  fall  back, 
supporting  a  disabled  arm  or  limping  on  a  musket,  or  borne  on  a  blanket 
by  their  comrades.  Taking  possession  of  an  abandoned  farm-house 
at  the  foot  of  the  ridge,  we  opened  a  hospital  for  those  who  were 
not  able  to  make  their  way  to  town.  A  half  dozen  cotton  bales, 
ripped  open  and  spread  upon  the  floors,  made  good  beds  and  pillows 
for  the  wounded.  Some  of  the  captured  rebels  had  corn-meal  in 
their  haversacks.  This  made  a  large  kettle  of  mush,  and,  with  the 
coffee  and  soup  we  had  brought  along,  furnished  an  excellent  supper, 
which  was  taken  with  special  relish  by  the  wounded  rebels.  One  of 
them,  a  Tennessee  major,  whose  side  (struck  with  a  shell)  we  had 
bound  up,  followed  with  an  eager  eye,  as  he  lay  before  the  fire,  our 
operations  of  making  beds,  preparing  supper,  tying  up  wounds,  and 
cutting  out  minie  balls.  At  last,  his  curiosity  and  astonishment 
getting  the  mastery,  he  said,  "  Pardon  me,  gentlemen,  but  I  would 
like  to  know  your  rank."  When  told  that  we  were  Delegates  of 
the  Christian  Commission,  he  said,  "  I  am  not  acquainted  with  your 
organization,  but  I  like  your  name;"  and  drawing  a  heavy  gold 
watch  from  his  pocket,  he  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  a  Delegate  for 
safe-keeping.1 

1  The  major  died  suddenly  a  few  days  after,  and  so  unexpectedly  that  he  left 
no  directions  respecting  his  property.  After  long  inquiry  the  agent  found  his 
mother's  name  and  residence,  in  Middle  Tennessee,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war 
had  the  pleasure  of  putting  her  son's  watch  in  her  hand. 


WORK    IX    THE   ARMY    OF   THE   CUMBERLAND.      473 

The  enthusiasm  of  the  men  over  their  victory  was  unbounded. 
The  soldier  forgot  he  was  wounded  while  telling  of  the  fight,  and, 
while  a  ball  was  being  cut  out  of  an  arm  or  leg  with  a  Delegate's 
pocket-knife,  would  occupy  the  time  telling  how  he  came  to  be  hit, 
or  "  pegged,"  as  they  call  it.  During  the  charge  up  the  ridge,  four 
soldiers  were  seen  bearing  back  a  comrade  on  a  blanket.  His  story 
is  thus  told  by  one  of  the  Delegates  who  met  him :  — 

The  men  halted  when  they  saw  us,  and  laid  down  their  burden,  asking  if 
we  would  see  whether  the  color-sergeant  was  badly  wounded.  I  knelt  down 
by  him  and  said,  "Sergeant,  where  did  they  hit  you?"  "Most  up  the  ridge, 
sir."  " I  mean,  sergeant,  where  did  the  ball  strike  you?"  "  Within  twenty 
yards  of  the  top, —  almost  up."  "No,  no,  sergeant;  think  of  yourself  for  a 
moment;  tell  me  where  you  are  wounded;"  and,  throwing  back  the  blanket,  I 
found  his  upper  arm  and  shoulder  mashed  and  mangled  with  a  shell.  Turn- 
ing his  eye  to  look  for  the  first  time  on  his  wound,  the  sergeant  said,  "  That  is 
what  did  it.  I  was  hugging  the  standard  to  my  blouse,  and  making  for  the 
top.  I  was  almost  up  when  that  ugly  shell  knocked  me  over.  If  they  had  let 
me  alone  a  little  longer, —  two  minutes  longer, —  I  should  have  planted  the 
colors  on  the  top.  Almost  up ;  almost  up."  We  could  not  get  the  dying  color- 
bearer's  attention  to  himself.  The  fight  and  the  flag  held  all  his  thoughts ; 
and,  while  his  ear  was  growing  heavy  in  death,  with  a  flushed  face  and  look 
of  ineffable  regret,  he  was  repeating  "almost  up;  almost  up."  The  brigade  to 
which  he  belonged  had  carried  the  ridge,  and  his  own  regiment,  rallying 
under  the  colors  which  had  dropped  from  his  shattered  arm,  were  shouting  the 
victory  for  which  the  poor  sergeant  had  given  his  young  life,  but  of  which  he 
was  dying  without  the  sight. 

An  Ohio  soldier,  of  Turchin's  brigade,  came  into  the  yard  of  the 
farm-house,  his  blood  smearing  his  face  and  clothes,  and  hanging  in 
clotted  masses  011  his  long  beard.  A  buck  shot  had  passed  through 
his  nose,  and  was  lodged  under  the  skin  on  the  other  side,  close  by 
the  eye.  He  wanted  it  cut  out,  and  was  with  difficulty  persuaded 
that  it  was  dangerous  for  an  unskilled  hand  to  operate  with  a  pocket- 
knife  so  near  his  eye.  While  we  were  bringing  water  he  sat  down 
on  the  ground  and  pulled  from  his  bosom  a  copy  of  Andrews's  Latin 
Grammar.  It  was  covered  thick  with  his  blood.  He  turned  to  the 
fifth  declension  and  began  with  res,  rei.  He  said  that  he  was  at  an 
academy  in  Ohio,  preparing  for  college,  when  the  call  came  for  re- 
cruits, and  he  had  left  his  Latin  at  this  point.  As  his  regiment  was 
passing  a  house  that  afternoon,  which  some  bummer  had  plundered, 

60 


474  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

he  found  this  book,  and  had  carried  it  under  his  blouse  in  the  fight, 
thinking  that  if  he  was  wounded  or  taken  prisoner  he  would  be  able 
to  go  on  with  his  Latin. 

When  at  midnight  we  had  given  a  supper  to  the  men,  and  had 
searched  the  fields  around  with  the  stretcher-bearers,  and  seen  nearly 
all  the  wounded  at  this  flying  hospital  started  in  ambulances  for 
town,  we  loaded  ourselves  with  crackers,  kettles  of  soup  and  canteens 
of  stimulants,  and  went  to  the  top  of  the  ridge.  Here  we  came 
upon  one  of  the  dreadful  scenes  of  war.  A  one-story  log  house  was 
filled  with  Union  and  rebel  wounded.  The  floors  of  the  two  rooms 
and  of  the  wide  open  hall  and  the  piazza  across  the  front  of  the 
house  were  covered  with  men,  lying  so  thick  as  to  make  walking 
among  them  perilous  to  limb,  if  not  to  life.  The  night  was  frosty. 
There  had  been  no  fire  or  supper.  There  was  no  surgeon  or  nurse, 
and  the  men  were  lying  in  clothes  stiff  with  blood  from  undressed 
wounds.  The  ambulances  had  ceased  running  for  the  night.  The 
stretcher-bearers  had  gone  to  sleep  on  their  stretchers.  In  the  yard, 
for  fifty  feet  around,  the  rebel  dead  were  lying.  They  had  died  in 
the  house  before  the  ridge  was  carried,  and  had  been  brought  out 
by  our  men  to  make^oom  for  the  living.  Underneath  these  floors, 
in  a  cellar  lately  dug,  were  the  children  and  women  of  the  house. 
They  had  remained  safe  from  the  shot  and  shell  that  had  poured 
around  them,  and  were  sitting  in  the  door  of  their  cellar,  smoking 
pipes  and  eating  snuff,  without  the  slightest  possible  concern  or  in- 
terest in  the  dreadful  scenes  around  and  above  them.  During  all 
the  afternoon  and  night,  with  their  house  and  yard  full  of  suffering 
men,  many  of  them  rebels,  dying  in  their  cause,  the  mother  and  her 
Bister  and  two  grown-up  daughters  had  not  so  much  as  offered  to  tie 
a  bandage,  or  kindle  a  fire  upon  the  hearth,  or  bring  a  cup  of  water, 
or  speak  a  gentle  word.  I  asked  if  they  would  not  assist  in  prepar- 
ing supper  for  the  men.  The  mother,  taking  her  pipe  from  her 
mouth,  said,  "You'uns  brought  'em  all  here,  and  you'uns  mought 
take  care  on  'em ;"  and,  putting  back  her  pipe,  she  swung  one  foot 
over  the  other  and  smoked  away  in  the  most  listless  manner.  "  But, 
madam,  these  are,  many  of  them,  Confederate  soldiers,  dying  away 
from  home.  Can't  you  do  something  for  them?"  It  was  the  same 
answer,  this  time  without  removing  the  pipe, — "You'uns  all  brought 
'em  here,  and  you'uns  mought  take  care  on  'em."  I  asked  for  meal; 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE   CUMBERLAND.      475 

she  had  none;  for  a  kettle  to  make  coffee;  she  had  none;  for  an  axe 
to  cut  fire-wood;  she  had  none.  As  I  passed  out,  a  colored  boy, 
about  a  dozen  years  old,  whispered  to  me,  "  Missus  done  hid  the  axe." 
I  went  back  and  asked  again  for  it;  she  had  none,  and  the  "nigger" 
lied.  I  said,  "The  men  must  have  a  fire,  and  if  there  is  no  axe  I 
must  take  your  shingles;"  and  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  I  laid 
hold  of  the  roof  of  the  piazza,  and  had  already  filled  my  arms,  when 
she  brought  out  her  axe  from  between  the  beds. 

We  spent  the  night  dressing  wounds,  feeding  with  coffee  and  soup, 
administering  stimulants,  and  taking  memoranda  for  home  letters. 
For  a  mile  along  the  top  of  the  ridge  we  found  soldiers  grouped 
around  their  fires,  discussing,  till  morning  light,  the  scenes  of  the 
previous  day,  and  telling  of  their  missing  comrades,  when  and  how 
they  fell.  AVithin  nearly  all  these  groups  we  found  wounded  men, 
and  sometimes,  outside  the  group,  the  corpse  of  a  soldier  who  had 
been  removed  from  the  fire  after  death  had  ensued.  By  our  stimu- 
lants and  hot  soup  we  helped  these  soldiers  keep  their  comrades  alive 
till  morning.  The  wounded  Confederates  were  as  hearty  in  their 
gratitude  for  our  relief  as  they  were  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that 
the  Yankees  made  their  soup  too  salt.  We  were  able  to  fill  out 
many  home  letters,  by  the  memoranda  gathered  during  the  night 
from  the  lips  of  the  dying  and  from  the  letters  and  diaries  found  on 
the  dead.  Ordinarily,  unless  the  body  had  been  robbed,  in  the  in- 
side breast  pocket  of  the  blouse  there  would  be  a  letter  from  friends, 
a  photograph,  a  Christian  Commission  Testament,  or  a  hymn-book, 
with  the  name  and  regiment  and  home  address,  or  a  diary  without  a 
name;  for,  singularly  enough,  those  records  of  daily  marches  and 
battles  and  camps  almost  invariably  gave  no  clue  to  the  name  of  the 
writer.  Keeping  it  merely  for  his  own  eye,  the  soldier  had  found  no 
occasion  to  mention  his  name  or  regiment.  When  the  morning 
broke  we  had  passed  twice  along  the  ridge  where  the  fiercest  fight 
occurred,  and  had  given  a  midnight  supper  and  a  breakfast  to  the 
wounded  in  the  log  house.  The  stretcher-bearers  then  resumed  their 
work  of  bringing  in  the  wounded,  and  the  ambulances  loaded  up  for 
town. 

At  daylight  General  Turchin's  brigade,  directly  before  us,  halt- 
way  down  the  ridge,  had  gathered  up  their  dead,  and  laid  them  in 
the  long  trench,  with  a  dirge  from  the  baud  and  the  farewell 


476  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

musketry  of  their  comrades.  They  were  under  marching  orders, 
with  Granger's  and  Howard's  corps,  and  Sherman's  army,  to  raise 
the  siege  with  which  Longstreet  was  closely  pressing  Burnside  at 
Knoxville.  Before  the  sun  was  fairly  up  their  camp-ground  was 
silent.  Passing  through  it,  on  our  way  back  to  town,  we  found  no 
signs  of  its  previous  occupation,  save  smouldering  fires  and  the 
trench  of  graves  set  with  pieces  of  cracker  boxes,  bearing  the  names 
of  the  dead,  cut  in  with  the  pocket-knives  of  their  comrades.  This, 
we  thought,  is  a  day  in  a  soldier's  life  more  crowded  with  events  than 
a  whole  common  life  at  home; — to  fight  in  the  evening  and  carry 
the  enemy's  strongest  position ;  divide  the  night  between  sleep  and 
the  stories  of  the  day,  and  in  the  gathering  of  their  dead ;  in  the 
morning  bury  their  comrades,  and  sling  knapsacks  for  a  march  more 
perilous  than  the  fight  had  been. 

At  noon  we  were  startled  by  heavy  cannonading  from  Fort  Wood 
and  other  forts  around  Chattanooga.  What  could  it  mean  ?  It  was 
not  possible  that  the  enemy  had  rallied  and  were  upon  us  again  ? 
To  those  who  had  seen  the  complete  rout  down  the  slope  of  Mission 
Ridge  such  a  thought  was  absurd ;  but  what  could  this  heavy,  rapid 
firing  mean  ?  It  was  November  26,  the  day  set  apart  nearly  two 
months  before,  by  President  Lincoln,  for  National  Thanksgiving, 
and  never  were  thanks  given  by  cannonading  more  appropriately 
than  by  the  national  salute  of  that  noon. 

Late  that  night  report  reached  our  rooms  of  a  train  of  wounded 
sixteen  miles  out,  coming  in  from  Hooker's  fierce  fight  at  Ringgold. 
We  loaded  the  two  ambulances  furnished  by  the  surgeon  with  battle 
stores,  and  sent  two  Delegates.  They  found  eighty  men  waiting  on 
the  cars,  with  the  bridge  burned  before  them.  They  were  badly 
wounded,  and  had  no  food  but  hard  bread.  The  hospital  supplies 
ordered  had  failed,  and  the  messenger  sent  for  stimulants  had  come 
back  with  empty  bottles.  Our  camp-kettles,  coffee,  soup,  milk,  and 
brandy  were  brought  into  requisition,  and  when  the  party  reached 
Chattanooga  the  surgeon  in  charge  said,  "  I  have  at  least  six  men 
with  me  that  but  for  your  coming  would  have  died  before  morning." 

The  hospital  and  chapel  work,  after  the  battle  of 
Chattanooga,  was  like  that  succeeding  Chickamauga,  ex- 
cept that  there  were  more  Delegates  and  more  stores,  and 


WORK    IN   THE   ARMY   OF   THE   CUMBERLAND.      477 

the  medical  department  was  better  furnished  with  sup- 
plies for  the  wounded.  Yet  transportation  for  all  army 
supplies,  by  the  wagon  road  to  Kelly's  Landing  and  by 
the  two  slight-built  steamers  making  their  perilous  trip 
on  the  Tennessee  through  the  "suck"  to  Bridgeport,  was 
still  very  difficult,  and  all  the  delicacies  we  could  get 
through  were  in  constant  demand  at  the  hospitals.  A 
large  force  of  Delegates  labored  unremittingly  in  this 
distribution  and  in  direct  religious  work.  Rev.  Win.  A. 
Lawrence  broke  up  the  station  at  Stevenson  and  took 
charge  at  Chattanooga.  Rev.  J.  F.  Loyd  came  from 
Nashville,  to  take  direction  of  the  meetings  and  distri- 
bution of  reading.  While  the  chapel  was  occupied  as  a 
hospital  Mr.  Loyd  held  the  daily  prayer-meeting  in  the 
Commission  reading-room.  In  January  the  wounded 
were  removed  from  the  Baptist  church,  and  it  was  re- 
stored as  a  chapel.  The  nightly  meetings  were  re-opened, 
and  at  once  disclosed  the  pleasing  fact  that  the  deep  re- 
ligious interest  with  which  the  meetings  closed  on  the 
eve  of  the  battle  was  still  continuing.  Many  interesting 
incidents  of  these  meetings  and  the  hospital  work  were 
related  by  the  Delegates.  The  evening  meeting  was 
very  reluctantly  omitted  one  night,  on  request  from 
headquarters  of  the  post  commander,  to  allow  the  use 
of  the  chapel  for  public  readings  by  Murdoch.  The 
next  night  a  battery-man  stood  up  in  the  congregation 
and  gave  his  experience  as  follows:  — 

This  is  the  third  night  I  have  been  at  these  meetings.  The  first 
time  I  went  away  saying,  Religion  is  a  good  thing;  I  must  have  it; 
I'll  come  again.  The  next  night  I  went  away,  saying  to  myself,  You 
are  wicked  enough  without  being  a  miserable  coward;  why  didn't 
you  get  up  and  say  you  wanted  to  be  a  Christian?  That  was  night 


478  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

before  last.  I  didn't  sleep  much.  In  the  morning  I  was  in  a  hurry 
for  night  to  come.  I  wanted  to  become  a  Christian,  and  thought  this 
meeting  was  the  only  place  to  do  it.  All  day  long  I  counted  the 
hours  when  I  should  come.  To  make  sure  of  it,  I  got  my  pass  from 
the  adjutant  before  dinner,  and  came  early  last  night  to  the  chapel. 
A  guard  halted  me  at  the  door.  He  said  his  instructions  were  to 
admit  only  officers  and  such  men  as  had  tickets.  I  told  him  I  had 
no  ticket,  but  I  must  go  into  the  meeting;  I  needed  it  more  than  any 
officer.  He  pushed  me  back  with  his  bayonet,  and  I  gave  up,  and 
.called  the  Christians  hard  names  for  shutting  me  out  because  I  was 
a  private.  Then  my  sins  came  crushing  down  on  me  again,  and  I 
went  back  and  begged  the  guard  to  pass  me  in ;  but  he  cursed  me, 
and  ordered  me  away.  I  started  for  camp.  When  I  was  passing 
the  railroad  track  I  said  to  myself,  It  is  Jesus  you  want,  not  the 
meeting;  and  I  knelt  down  in  a  cut  of  the  road  and  told  Jesus  just 
what  I  was-  going  to  say  to  my  comrades  if  I  had  got  into  the  meet- 
ing. I  had  hardly  begun  to  tell  Him  when  I  felt  relieved.  When  I 
got  up  from  my  knees  I  could  n't  help  singing.  I  went  to  camp  sing- 
ing, and  kept  singing  after  I  turned  in,  till  the  colonel's  orderly 
hushed  me  up.  These  are  good  meetings,  but  if  I  could  find  such  a 
meeting  as  that  one  on  the  railroad  track,  I  wouldn't  mind  if  the 
guard  ordered  me  off  every  night. 

A  Delegate,  carrying  a  bucket  of  chicken  soup  through 
the  hospital,  came  upon  a  room  occupied  by  four  or  five 
officers.  When  they  had  eaten,  thankfully  and  heartily, 
a  captain  said,  "Why  don't  you  Christian  Commission 
men  come  in  and  preach  to  us?  We  need  it  as  much  as 
anybody."  Mr.  L.  sat  down  his  bucket,  sang  a  hymn, 
took  a  text,  and  preached  a  regular  discourse  to  a  very 
attentive  auditory,  who  insisted  that  he  should  come 
again. 

About  this  time  one  of  the  agents  in  Chattanooga 
writes:  — 

Yesterday  I  handed  a  soldier  a  book,  with  the  title  in  large  letters 
running  across  the  page,  "WHERE  is  JESUS?"  He  took  it  and  said, 


WORK    IN   THE   ARMY    OF   THE   CUMBERLAND.       479 

"  I  found  that  out  before  I  left  home,  or  I  would  not  have  dared  to 
come  into  the  army."  A  little  after,  a  fine  smooth-faced  boy  from 
Michigan  came  in.  I  showed  the  same  book  to  him.  He  looked  at 
it,  his  eyes  brimming  with  tears  as  he  said,  "That's  what  I  want  to 
know."  Thousands  in  this  army  are  asking  this  great  question. 

Another  Delegate  writes:  — 

An  old  soldier,  lying  on  his  cot,  bent  up  with  rheumatism,  beck- 
oned me  to  his  side.  He  asked  if  Ulysses  Grant  was  in  Chattanooga; 
and,  giving  me  his  name,  instructed  me  to  tell  the  General  how  he 
was,  and  that  he  should  like  to  come  and  see  him  as  soon  as  he  could 
walk.  I  sent  the  name  to  headquarters,  with  the  statement  of  the 
soldier.  An  orderly  came  down  at  once  to  the  hospital  with  the 
compliments  of  the  General.  He  would  be  happy  to  receive  Private 

,  and  would  send  an  ambulance  for  him  when  he  could  ride. 

Under  this  treatment  the  stiffened  limbs  grew  supple,  and  in  two  days 
the  private  reported  himself  at  the  General's  quarters.  He  after- 
wards told  me  that  the  General  was  very  glad  to  see  him,  and  that 
they  talked  over  old  times,  when  they  were  boys  and  lived  in  the 
same  neighborhood,  and  said  he,  "The  General  owned  up  that  in 
wrestling  I  used  to  throw  him  more  than  half  the  time." 

At  Chattanooga,  after  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge, 
the  Commission  agents  first  met  Mrs.  Bickerdyke,  the 
"mother"  of  Sherman's  army.  She  had  come  by  boat 
up  the  Mississippi,  and  worked  her  way  through  to 
Chattanooga,  to  meet  her  "boys"  in  their  field  hospital 
under  Mission  Ridge.  An  observation  of  her  work  in 
this  hospital,  and  afterwards  in  the  general  field  hospital 
under  Lookout  Mountain,  gave  such  confidence  in  her 
energy,  her  devotion  to  the  soldier's  welfare,  and  her 
extraordinary  ability  to  put  articles  intended  for  the 
soldiers  directly  into  their  hands,  that  during  the  At- 
lanta campaign,  and  at  Savannah,  and  in  the  Nortli 
Carolina  marches,  and  the  rendezvous  at  Washington, 


480  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

no  applicant  for  supplies  for  soldiers'  relief  was  more 
heartily  welcomed  at  any  of  the  Commission  store-rooms 
than  Mrs.  Bickerdyke. 

After  the  railroad  was  rebuilt  to  Bridgeport,  the  hos- 
pital patients  that  could  be  removed  were  rapidly  taken 
back  to  Nashville  and  Louisville.  The  meetings  in  the 
chapel,  in  the  prison  barracks,  and  among  the  regiments 
around,  and  the  distribution  of  the  Scriptures  and  reli- 
gious papers  throughout  all  the  army,  continued  through 
the  winter.  The  free  writing-tables  and  free  library 
were  kept  constantly  in  full  use. 

General  Hooker's  command  went  into  winter  quarters 
in  Lookout  Valley.  Rev.  K.  D.  Douglass,  the  agent  at 
Bridgeport,  set  up  a  station  for  the  valley  in  the 
Eleventh  Corps.  It  had  the  usual  appointments  of  a 
Commission  station, — Delegates'  quarters,  chapel,  library, 
writing-table,  and  a  supply  of  weekly  papers.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  usual  religious  services  in  the  chapel,  a  Sab- 
bath-school was  organized  for  soldiers  and  the  children 
and  the  adult  poor  whites.  General  Howard's  adjutant 
was  superintendent,  and  the  General  had  a  class  of  poor 
girls,  none  of  whom  could  read.  This  station  became  a 
centre  of  religious  influence,  and  continued  a  great 
power  for  good,  until  the  army  moved  on  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  General  Howard  thus  writes  of  it  to  a 
friend,  under  date  of  March  8,  1864 : — 

We  have  here  just  my  beau  ideal  of  a  station.  Soldiers  are  com- 
ing and  going  for  books,  papers,  tracts,  or  conversations.  The  Dele- 
gates constantly  visit  the  hospitals  and  regiments,  and  are  more  than 
welcome.  Last  Sunday  a  Delegate  preached  at  these  headquarters, 
at  5  p.  M.  You  never  saw  a  more  orderly  and  attentive  audience,  as 
they  stood  before  and  on  either  side,  with  hats  off,  eagerly  listening 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   481 

to  his  words  about  Christ.  Many  soldiers  from  the  neighboring 
regiments  came  voluntarily  and  stood  attentively  in  the  background. 
I  could  not  help  praying  for  a  special  influence  of  the  blessed  Spirit 
among  those  men. 

Under  a  later  date  the  General  writes  again :  — 

I  regard  this  little  station  of  the  Commission  of  incalculable  bene- 
fit to  this  command.  There  seems  to  be  complete  harmony  and 
co-operation  between  the  Delegates  and  chaplains,  as  there  ought  to 
be  between  men  working  for  a  common  Lord.  At  one  time,  after 
the  battle  of  Chattanooga,  in  the  long  march  to  Knoxville  and  back, 
there  was  considerable  sickness  in  the  command,  and  much  of  a 
scorbutic  character.  Whereupon  your  agents  promptly  furnished  us 
with  potatoes  and  other  vegetables,  which  it  was  difficult,  if  not 
impossible,  to  obtain  through  any  other  channel  at  that  time. 

At  Nashville,  in  January,  1864,  a  new  kind  of  work 
came  upon  the  Delegates.  A  large  portion  of  the  army 
had  re-enlisted  for  three  years  or  the  war,  and  the  regi- 
ments were  going  home  on  their  veteran  furloughs. 
The  single  line  of  railway,  North  of  Nashville,  w^as 
insufficient  to  transport  the  hundreds  and  thousands  of 
soldiers  that  poured  in  from  the  front  on  their  way 
home.  Maxwell  Barracks  were  thronged  from  bottom 
to  top.  Two  churches  and  No.  14  Hospital  were  taken 
for  barracks,  and,  with  all  the  yard  around,  were  kept 
full,  week  after  week,  by  soldiers  coming  and  departing. 
Before  the  current  homeward  had  ceased,  a  stream  of 
veterans  returning  from  their  furloughs  set  in.  These 
were  often  obliged  to  wait  their  turn  for  transportation 
to  the  front.  While  in  the  city  they  were  kept  under 
guard  in  their  quarters.  These  buildings,  always  full, 
were  open  to  the  Commission  night  and  day,  and  the 
men  were  eager  for  preaching  and  Testaments  and  reli- 


482  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

gious  reading.  In  two  regiments  thus  tarrying,  quar- 
tered in  the  Baptist  church  for  a  few  days,  a  deep 
revival  interest  began.  Three  and  four  meetings  a  day 
were  held  among  them,  and  many  soldiers  went  home 
to  surprise  praying  friends  with  the  story  of  their  con- 
version. These  homeward-bound  men  were  found  more 
thoughtful  than  had  been  anticipated.  In  many  in- 
stances the  thought  of  home  so  near  at  hand  had  recalled 
the  fair  promises  of  two  years  before,  and  broken  vows 
came  to  stare  them  in  the  face.  One  young  soldier,  for 
whom  a  furlough  had  been  procured  at  his  request, 
declined  to  use  it,  asking  that  it  might  be  postponed  a 
month.  At  the  end  of  two  weeks  he  came  to  say  that 
he  was  ready  for  his  furlough,  and,  when  pressed  to  give 
a  reason  for  his  strange  delay,  replied,  "  I  promised  my 
mother  that  I  would  be  a  Christian  in  the  army.  I 
have  neglected  it  up  to  this  time,  and  I  could  not  go 
home  until  I  could  answer  my  mother's  first  question." 

With  the  veterans  returning  from  their  furlough, 
bound  for  the  front  and  for  what  all  knew  must  be  a 
protracted  and  bloody  campaign,  the  meetings  and  per- 
sonal interviews  were  very  impressive.  In  the  daily 
prayer-meeting,  now  removed  from  the  Presbyterian 
church  to  McKendree  Chapel,  and  in  the  nightly  prayer- 
meetings  at  Maxwell  Barracks,  the  spldiers  gave  their 
"  experience," — the  story  of  their  purposes  and  fears, 
of  their  praying  friends,  their  struggle  and  promises  at 
parting  with  wife  and  children,  a  mother's  prayer  and 
blessing;  of  their  conflict  in  Christian  life,  with  its 
triumph  or  failure;  of  God's  protecting  care,  made  won- 
derful in  the  memory  of  so  many  fallen  comrades ;  of 
their  estimate  of  the  three  years  more  of  campaigning 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   483 

before  them,  its  toil  and  risk  now  fully  understood ;  and 
of  the  possibility  of  returning  no  more.  Every  meet- 
ing was  one  of  greeting  and  farewell  by  those  constantly 
succeeding  regiments,  and  its  happy  influence  was  car- 
ried directly  to  the  front  and  appeared  afterwards  in  the 
revivals  at  Ringgold  and  Cleveland. 

In  March,  Mrs.  Harris,  of  the  Philadelphia  Ladies' 
Aid  Society,1  invited  the  Commission  to  occupy  the 
large  residence  on  Spruce  street,  which  had  been  as- 
signed to  her  by  the  Secretary  of  War.  The  comforts 
and  conveniences  of  the  Delegates'  Home  in  Nashville 
were  much  enlarged  by  this  change,  and  Mrs.  Smith, 
the  wife  of  the  General  Field  Agent,  took  the  charge  of 
the  large  establishment.  It  served  as  the  home  for  all 
the  Delegates  on  duty,  and  for  the  ladies  in  the  diet- 
kitchen  service  in  Nashville.  It  was  also  a  tarrying- 
place  for  Delegates  and  ladies  passing  to  and  from  the 
front,  and  became  a  frequent  resort  for  mothers  and 
sisters  who  had  entered  army  lines  to  relieve  or  bury 
friends.  The  family  altar  for  morning  and  evening 
worship,  like  all  the  Commission  work,  had  its  pecu- 
liarity. From  twenty  to  fifty  Delegates,  representing  as 
many  towns  and  all  the  evangelical  denominations,  most 
of  them  clergymen,  knelt  at  the  altar, — each  one  bring- 
ing a  heart  full  of  prayer  for  the  special  cases  of  suffer- 
ing or  religious  interest  he  had  met.  Every  faculty  of 
sympathy  was  at  its  greatest  tension.  Not  unfrequently 
was  the  voice  of  prayer  and  song  interrupted  by  the 
sob  of  a  mother  or  father  present,  who  had  come  to  find 
a  dear  one  past  recovery  or  already  buried.  Such  scenes 
as  these, — with  the  solemn  and  joyous  interchange  of 

1  See  p.  74. 


484  ANXALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

thought  among  Christians  of  different  names ;  the  re- 
hearsals of  wonderful  experiences  in  camp  and  hospital ; 
the  pale-faced  boys  tottering  up  from  the  hospitals,  and 
making  constant  applications  for  personal  relief  out  of 
Mrs.  Smith's  large  store-room,  which  came  to  be  famous 
for  its  numberless  little  comforts,  such  as  only  a  home 
and  a  mother's  care  afford ;  and  one  other  scene, — a 
funeral  service  in  these  Christian  Commission  parlors, 
with  the  Delegates  for  mourners,  when  this  mother  and 
the  father  closed  the  coffin  lid  upon  the  face  of  their 
little  boy  of  four  years,  and  committed  his  casket  to  the 
express  company,  to  be  carried  home  for  burial  by  his 
Sabbath-school  class,  in  Massachusetts;  and  yet  one 
other, — when,  during  the  battle  of  Nashville,  young 
Kimball,  from  Boston,  was  finishing  his  earthly  com- 
mission, while  most  of  his  brother  Delegates  were  on 
the  field,  ministering  to  the  hundreds  of  other  American 
youths,  who  were  falling  under  the  cannon  that  shook 
the  windows  of  his  dying  chamber; — such  scenes  have 
made  one  house  in  Nashville  immortal  in  the  memory 
of  thousands  of  soldiers  and  hundreds  of  Christian 
laborers. 

By  the  movements  resulting  from  the  victory  at 
Chattanooga  and  the  relief  of  Knoxville,  the  armies  of 
the  Tennessee  and  the  Ohio  were  brought  within  the 
field  of  the  Christian  Commission  for  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  Though  thus  greatly  enlarged,  the  Com- 
mission work  for  1864,  in  its  main  features,  was  not 
changed  from  that  of  the  year  previous.  The  appeals 
from  this  enlarged  field  to  friends  at  home,  endorsed  by 
the  constantly  returning  Delegates,  awoke  new  interest 
in  the  soldier's  behalf  through  the  Middle  Western 


WORK    IX   THE    ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       485 

States,  and  immense  supplies  began  to  pour  in  from  the 
Cincinnati  and  Pittsburg  offices.  Buffalo  and  India- 
napolis also  largely  increased  their  offerings  for  the 
soldiers.  At  the  same  time  the  variety  and  supply  of 
reading  from  the  Central  Office  was  more  than  doubled. 
During  the  year  three  hundred  Delegates  reported  for 
service,  mostly  from  Western  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and 
Indiana.  Their  labors  were  directed  by  seven  perma- 
nent agents,  who  had  charge  of  stations  or  followed  with 
the  army  in  the  summer  campaign.  Through  the  do- 
nations of  the  American  Bible  Society,  Testaments  and 
portions  of  Scripture  were  again  furnished  to  all  in  the 
entire  army  who  had  need  of  them ;  and  to  many,  who 
lost  their  knapsacks  in  battle,  this  distribution  was  twice 
or  three  times  repeated  during  the  year. 

At  the  request  of  Major-General  Thomas,  the  Com- 
mission adopted  the  plan  inaugurated  by  Chaplain  J.  C. 
Thomas,  of  supplying  the  army  with  all  the  better  class 
of  magazine  literature.  The  publishers  of  the  Eclectic, 
Atlantic,  Harpers',  the  Continental,  and  the  United 
States  Service  Magazines,  sold  their  periodicals,  for  this 
purpose,  at  half  price.  Adams  Express  Company  gave 
free  freight,  and  thus  thirty-five  thousand  standard 
magazines  were  furnished,  at  half  their  price  in  New 
York,  to  soldiers  and  officers,  who  would  otherwise  have 
satiated  their  appetite  for  reading  on  the  trash  of 
novelettes,  sold  so  largely  and  at  such  exorbitant  rates 
through  all  the  camps.  Chaplain  Thomas's  plan  for 
procuring  hospital  libraries  was  also  adopted.  These 
books,  from  the  Chaplain's  carefully  selected  catalogue, 
neatly  cased  at  government  expense,  and  put  in  charge 
of  librarians  appointed  by  the  surgeons,  brought  a  wider 


486  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

range  and  higher  character  of  literature  within  the  reach 
of  men  suffering  from  the  tedium  of  hospital  life. 

The  fundamental  idea  of  the  Commission,  to  avoid  all 
possible  incumbrance  to  military  operations,  and  yet  give 
personal  help  and  care  to  men  in  any  trouble,  and  espe- 
cially to  keep  open  the  channel  of-  communication  be- 
tween the  soldier  and  his  home,  was  more  fully  developed 
during  the  year.  The  stations  became  not  only  a  depot 
for  reading  and  clothing  and  hospital  delicacies,  but  a 
kind  of  supply  depots  for  many  little  articles,  which, 
though  quite  essential  to  the  comfort  of  the  men,  are  rarely 
to  be  found  in  army  lines,  and  then  at  sutlers'  prices. 
The  thousands  on  thousands  of  housewives  or  "  comfort- 
bags,"  as  the  soldiers  called  them,  were  received  with 
great  eagerness.  Each  one  with  its  little  package  of 
thread,  needles,  buttons,  soap,  pins,  pens,  and  often  con- 
taining a  tract  or  letter,  supplied  as  many  real  wants  of 
the  soldier  as  it  contained  packages.  These  bags  could 
never  be  kept  in  supply,  and  when  they  failed  the  arti- 
cles were  given  out  from  packages  in  bulk, —  making  as 
good  a  substitute  as  possible  for  the  home  collection. 
The  files  of  State  and  County  papers,  from  all  sections 
of  the  country,  in  the  free  reading-room,  were  eagerly 
consulted  for  the  local  home  news.  These  placards  were 
hung  out  at  the  door  and  around  the  wall: 

SOLDIEKS'   FKEE  WRITING-TABLE. 
PAPERS  AND  ENVELOPES  FREE. 

COME  IN  AND  SEND  WORD  HOME;   THEY  WANT  TO  HEAR  FROM  YOU. 

SIT  DOWN  AND  SEND  A  FEW  WORDS  HOME. 

IF  YOU  HAVE  NO  POSTAGE  STAMPS,  LEAVE  YOUR  LETTER  IN  THE  BOX; 
WE  WILL  STAMP  AND  MAIL  IT. 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   487 

From  these  tables  more  than  one  hundred  thousand 
letters  were  post-paid  and  mailed  during  the  year  1864. 
By  a  special  act  of  Congress,  postage  on  a  soldier's  letter 
might  be  collected  on  delivery.  But  the  men  seemed  to 
dislike  to  impose  this  charge  upon  friends  at  home,  and 
resorted  to  expedients  to  keep  themselves  in  supply  of 
postage  stamps.  This  was  no  easy  matter  at  the  front. 
Loss  of  knapsack,  a  heavy  rain,  or  the  perspiration  of  a 
day's  march  would  make  a  new  supply  necessary,  and 
for  this  supply  there  was  no  provision.  The  agent  at 
Nashville  often  sent  out  a  thousand  dollars  per  week  in 
stamps,  to  be  furnished  to  soldiers  in  such  quantities  as 
they  wished  to  buy.  These  stamps  were  always  sold  at 
government  rates,  giving  the  soldiers  the  advantage  when 
it  was  impracticable  to  make  the  exact  change.  In  hos- 
pitals and  camps  the  Delegates  distributed  paper  and 
envelopes  for  a  million  and  a  half  of  letters  bound  home- 
ward, offering  them  freely  to  any  man  who  desired  or 
would  agree  to  write  to  his  friends.1  By  a  reasonable 
estimate,  certainly  one-half  and  probably  two-thirds  of 
the  letters  written  on  the  Commission  paper  would  not 
have  been  written  at  all  but  for  the  facilities  thus  offered. 
On  marches,  and  after  battles,  it  was  the  constant  en- 
deavor to  gather  up  the  letters  of  soldiers  and  take  them 
to  the  first  mail.  In  all  their  ministrations  the  Dele- 
gates were  specially  enjoined  to  ask  permission  of  sick 
and  wounded  men  to  write  to  their  friends  at  home,  and 
this  as  much  for  the  sake  of  friends  as  for  the  soldier. 
In  time  of  battle  they  were  to  spare  no  pains  to  give  im- 
mediate and  accurate  information  of  the  wounded  and 

1  The  writing-paper  and  envelopes  distributed  among  the  soldiers  by  the 
Commission  were  stamped  with  appropriate  and  attractive  devices  and  mottoes. 


488  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

dead  to  those  who  waited  for  tidings;  and  to  urge  sol- 
diers who  had  come  out  unharmed  to  relieve  their  friends 
by  filling  on  the  spot  the  sheet  of  paper  offered  them. 
During  the  two  days'  fighting  before  Nashville,  and  in 
the  ministrations  of  the  four  succeeding  days  with  the 
sick  and  wounded  recaptured  at  Franklin,  the  Delegates 
of  the  Nashville  station  wrote  one  thousand  letters  as 
extra  duty,  after  laboring  from  eight  to  sixteen  hours  a 
day  with  the  suffering  and  dying.  The  acknowledg- 
ments to  these  letters  that  came  from  relieved  or  broken 
hearts  all  over  the  Northwest,  told  how  this  kind  of 
effort  was  appreciated  and  what  it  was  worth,  both  to  the 
soldier  and  his  home. 

In  March  of  this  year  the  Executive  Committee  decided 
to  commission  and  support  ladies  for  the  work  of  super- 
intending diet  kitchens  in  the  general  hospitals  of  the 
Western  armies,  according  to  the  plan  proposed  by  Mrs. 
Wittenmyer.  Mrs.  W.  was  appointed  manager  of  this 
department  of  labor.  A  full  account  of  the  method  of 
working  is  given  elsewhere.  The  ladies  were  introduced 
gradually  into  the  large  hospitals  in  Louisville,  Nash- 
ville and  Chattanooga,  as  the  surgeons  in  charge  came 
to  see  the  feasibility  and  worth  of  the  plan.  What  Mr. 
Ewing  says  of  their  work  in  this  army,  for  1865,  will 
equally  apply  to  the  whole  period  of  their  service:  — 

The  Christian  Commission  ladies,  who  have  labored  in  fifteen  diet 
kitchens,  have  accomplished  a  large  work  for  the  soldiers,  of  which 
no  record  will  be  made  except  in  the  hearts  of  suffering  men,  who 
received  from  their  hands  such  ministration  as  only  those  who  repre- 
sented mother  and  sister  could  give.  In  addition  to  superintending 
the  preparation  of  suitable  dishes  for  the  sick,  these  ladies  have  done 
the  work  of  Delegates,  in  the  distribution  of  home  gifts,  writing  let- 
ters, reading  to  the  convalescents,  and  in  all  things  declaring  Jesus. 


WORK    IX    THE   ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       489 

Mr.  T.  K.  Evving,  of  Pennsylvania,  assisted  by  Deacon 
Charles  Crosby,  of  Massachusetts,  assumed  the  charge 
of  the  work  in  Nashville  and  the  forwarding  of  supplies 
to  the  front.  Mr.  H.  C.  Houghton  kept  up  the  Mur- 
freesboro'  station,  until  May,  with  all  the  appliances  of 
Christian  Commission  work, — reading  and  writing- 
rooms,  daily  prayer-meetings  and  hospital  relief.  Hunts- 
ville  station  was  superintended  by  Rev.  H.  D.  Lathrop, 
until  the  movement  on  Atlanta  brought  him  to  the 
charge  of  the  work  in  Chattanooga.  This  station  was 
then  discontinued  for  a  few  months,  until  our  forces, 
falling  back  from  Atlanta,  in  November,  gathered  around 
Huntsville  and  made  it  again  an  important  point  for 
Commission  work.  When  Rev.  R.  D.  Douglass  followed 
the  Eleventh  Corps  into  Lookout  Valley,  the  superin- 
tendence of  the  Bridgeport  station  was  given  to  Rev.  N. 
B.  Critchfield,  until  his  appointment  to  the  chaplaincy 
of  the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  when 
Sergeant  Clough,  a  disabled  Ohio  soldier,  took  the  sta- 
tion and  held  it  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  mustering  of  his  hosts  by  General  Sherman,  for 
advance  into  Georgia,  gave  the  work  a  new  impulse  in 
April.  At  Ringgold  and  Cleveland  a  remarkable  reli- 
gious revival  began  among  the  veteran  troops,  who  knew 
very  well  what  it  meant  to  be  at  the  front,  waiting 
marching  orders,  with  the  enemy  lying  in  full  force 
before  them.  They  were  the  heroes  of  Chickamauga 
and  Mission  Ridge  and  Lookout  Mountain.  Very  ninny 
of  them  had  promised  God,  in  the  thick  of  the  fight,  to 
give  their  life  to  Him,  if  He  would  bring  them  safely 
out.  And  now  God  was  reminding  them  of  promises 
un  kept. 

62 


490  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

At  Ringgold  the  crowded  church  every  night,  the 
full  morning  meetings  for  inquirers  of  the  way  of  life, 
the  prayer-meetings  established  in  the  soldiers'  huts  and 
even  out  on  the  picket-post,  testify  to  such  grace  and 
power  of  God  as  are  rarely  exhibited.  A  Kentucky 
soldier,  one  of  the  most  ungodly  men  in  his  regiment, 
had  spent  the  night  in  prayer  and  found  no  relief.  In 
the  morning  he  met  his  chaplain  on  his  horse,  and  asked 
him  to  pray  for  him.  The  chaplain  promised,  but  said 
the  man,  "I  mean  now."  "What,  here  in  the  road  ?" 
"  Yes,  here,  chaplain,  now."  They  knelt  and  prayed, 
and  others  who  were  passing  came  and  knelt,  till  there 
were  more  than  two  or  three  agreeing  in  the  petition 
that  the  sinful  one  should  be  forgiven,  and  the  answer 
came.  The  soldier  went  down  to  his  tent-house,  and 
carried  the  word  of  life  to  his  comrades.  They  could 
not  resist  the  claims  of  religion,  when  pressed  upon  them 
so  earnestly  and  persistently  by  their  fellow-soldier. 
He  told  of  his  trials  with  his  profane  tent-mates,  and  of 
the  agreement  he  had  made,  that,  if  they  persisted  in 
calling  in  their  comrades  -for  cards,  he  should  have 
the  tent  every  other  night  for  a  prayer-meeting.  The 
result  was,  the  prayer-meeting  supplanted  the  cards 
altogether,  and  all  in  the  tent  and  many  men  in  the 
company  came  with  the  new  disciple  to  his  Master.  Mr. 
Keynolds,  Delegate  from  Peoria,  111.,  writes  of  this 
revival  at  Einggold  :  — 

Words  are  inadequate  to  describe  the  glorious  work  of  grace.  We 
found  about  ten  thousand  troops  encamped  here  and  but  three  chap- 
lains. In  our  labors  with  these  chaplains,  we  experienced  in  full 
the  sweetness  of  the  truth,  "  Behold,  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it 
is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity."  We  made  arrangements 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.      491 

for  holding  two  daily  meetings,  at  one  and  seven  o'clock,  P.M.  At 
the  night  meeting  the  church  was  crowded  to  overflowing, — not  a 
foot  of  standing-room  unoccupied.  The  doors  and  windows  were 
filled,  and  the  crowds  extended  out  into  the  street,  straining  their 
ears  to  catch  the  words  of  Jesus.  Sometimes  hundreds  of  persons 
would  go  away  unable  to  get  within  hearing  distance.  Day  after 
day  the  interest  deepened,  and  large  numbers  came  forward  nightly 
for  prayer.  Scores  of  men  long  hardened  in  sin  cried  out,  "  What 
shall  we  do?"  A  number  of  the  converts  had  never  been  baptized, 
and  as  they  expressed  a  desire  to  remember  this  command  of  Christ, 
we  invited  all  candidates  for  baptism  to  meet  at  the  church  on  Sab- 
bath afternoon,  April  10.  Forty-four  presented  themselves.  In  the 
number  several  denominations  were  represented,  and  were  of  course 
allowed  to  select  the  mode  of  baptism  they  perferred.  Twenty-four 
chose  immersion,  eighteen  sprinkling,  and  two  pouring.  We  marched 
in  solemn  procession  to  the  tune  and  hymn, 

There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  Wood, 

down  to  the  Chickamauga  creek.  The  soldiers  stood  on  the  banks, 
joining  hands  and  continuing  the  hymn,  while  their  comrades  went 
down  into  the  water, — some  for  immersion,  some  for  sprinkling,  and 
others  for  pouring,  but  all  for  baptism  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  After  administering  the 
ordinance  of  baptism,  we  returned  to  the  church,  singing, 

Jesus,  I  ray  cross  have  taken, 

and  then  sat  down,  about  four  hundred  in  number,  at  the  table  of 
our  common  Lord.  Commissary  bread,  currant  wine,  tin  plates,  and 
tin  cups, — these  were  the  circumstances  of  the  Lord's  supper  in  the 
array ;  but  they  did  not  keep  the  Master  from  the  feast  of  love,  nor 
hinder  the  baptism  of  the  Spirit  upon  these  men,  whom  God  was 
making  ready  for  four  months  of  march  and  battle.  It  was  a  blessed 
communion, — to  many  of  the  soldiers  the  first  they  had  enjoyed  for 
two  years,  and  to  many  men  the  last,  until  that  day  when  they  shall 
"  drink  it  new  in  the  Father's  kingdom."  The  following  Sabbath 
forty-eight  were  baptized, — twenty-seven  by  immersion,  and  twenty- 
one  by  sprinkling;  and  on  the  Sabbath  succeeding  this,  the  ordinance 
was  administered  to  fifty-seven  more,  and  four  hundred  new  converts 
sat  down  at  the  communion  table. 


492  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

In  the  re-organization  of  the  army  in  March,  the 
command  of  the  Fourth  Corps  was  given  to  Major- 
Geiieral  Howard.  In  April,  Rev.  Mr.  Loyd  took  charge 
of  the  work  of  the  Commission  in  this  corps,  while  it 
was  lying  at  Cleveland,  preparing  for  the  Georgia  cam- 
paign. We  give  the  following  extracts  from  Mr.  Loyd's 
report  of  the  work  at  Cleveland  :  — 

At  our  first  interview  General  Howard  gave  us  a  cordial  welcome, 
and  assured  us  of  his  co-operation.  He  dispensed  with  the  usual 
religious  services  at  his  headquarters,  and  ordered  the  churches 
in  the  town  cleansed  and  opened  for  divine  service.  The  Illinois 
brethren, — Moody,  Reynolds,  Bliss,  and  Nichols, — were  a  strong  and 
timely  re-inforcernent.  We  held  brief  services  with  the  regiments 
during  the  day,  and  invited  the  soldiers  to  the  night  meetings  in  the 
churches.  These  meetings  were  soon  filled  to  overflowing,  and  the 
Divine  approval  was  manifested  in  awakenings  and  conversions. 
General  Howard  took  a  class  of  little  girls  in  our  Sabbath-school, 
and  an  active  part  in  our  night  meetings, — praying  for  penitents, 
and  sometimes  addressing  the  congregation  with  great  power.  His 
last  address,  Sabbath  evening,  May  1,  will  long  be  remembered. 
The  corps  was  under  marching  orders,  and  the  General  spoke  out  of 
a  full  heart,  familiar  with  the  experience  just  before  every  man  in 
that  congregation.  When  he  closed,  eighty-three  came  forward, 
desiring  prayers,  and  a  goodly  number,  before  the  meeting  closed, 
entered  into  covenant  with  their  Heavenly  Father.  On  Monday 
night,  with  the  marching  orders  still  pending,  the  three  churches 
were  crowded  for  another  farewell  meeting.  In  one  of  them,  Colonel 
Buckner,  of  the  Seventy-ninth  Illinois,  preached  with  unusual 
power.1 

The  corps  moved  on  Tuesday.  Wednesday  morning,  being  duly 
provided  with  canteen,  blanket,  gum-coat,  shelter-tent,  and  haversack, 
with  five  days'  rations,  Mr.  Tucker  and  myself  set  out  on  foot  to 
follow  the  army.  Twenty-two  miles  brought  us  up  with  the  rear  of 

1  One  week  from  this  Monday  night,  Mr.  L.,  writing  of  the  battle  of  Rocky- 
face,  says,  "  Colonel  Buckner  has  been  brought  in,  severely  wounded.  He  is 
calm  and  full  of  the  peace  of  the  gospel  he  so  much  loves  to  preach." 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       493 

the  corps.  Sticking  one  end  of  a  rail  in  the  fork  of  an  apple  tree, 
and  putting  a  board  under  the  other,  we  pitched  our  tent  over  it, 
spread  our  blankets,  held  our  evening  devotion,  and  slept  soundly 
till  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Breakfast  over,  we  held  our  morn- 
ing devotions  in  Captain  Bridge's  battery,  some  twenty  or  thirty  of 
his  men  uniting  with  us.  On  Saturday  afternoon  we  went  into  camp 
at  Tunnel  Hill,  and  I  preached  to  a  large  congregation  in  the  even- 
ing. Neither  the  march,  nor  the  excitement  of  approaching  battle, 
had  dissipated  the  religious  feeling  awakened  at  Cleveland.  The 
chaplain  of  the  Twenty-first  Kentucky  reports  nightly  meetings  in 
his  regiment,  and  the  revival  still  going  on  with  increased  power. 
On  the  Sabbath,  as  we  were  singing  the  Doxology  at  the  close  of  a 
brigade  service,  the  order  to  break  camp  came,  and  in  half  an  hour 
we  were  again  on  the  march.  We  halted  at  the'foot  of  Rocky-face 
Ridge,  and  soon  were  engaged  with  the  wounded,  whom  we  accom- 
panied back  to  the  division  hospital  at  Tunnel  Hill. 

On  Thursday  night,  flanked  out  of  Buzzard's  Roost,  Johnston  fell 
slowly  back  to  Resaca,  his  rear  guard  fighting  us  from  behind 
bushes  and  breastworks  of  rails  at  every  step.  At  noon  on  Satur- 
day, the  15th,  General  Sherman  was  before  Resaca,  and  the  battle 
commenced.  In  the  repeated  charges  up  those  steeps  many  men 
were  killed  and  many  more  frightfuly  mangled.  During  that  day 
and  the  next  we  were  busy  with  fresh  wounds.  On  Monday  Resaca 
was  ours  by  evacuation,  and  so  rapid  and  effective  was  the  work  of 
the  construction  corps  that  the  railroad  to  Resaca  was  in  running 
order  that  evening,  and  we  helped  load  one  hundred  and  twenty 
wounded  men,  and  adjust  them  as  well  as  we  could  on  the  straw  in 
the  box  cars,  for  their  long,  painful  ride  to  Chattanooga. 

Rev.  Mr.  Lathrop,  with  a  re-iuforcement  of  Delegates,  reached  us 
the  next  day.  We  took  possession  of  a  double  log-house,  and  com- 
menced operations.  With  some  captured  sacks  of  rice  and  corn- 
meal,  we  tried  bur  skill  in  boiling  rice  and  making  mush.  Plates 
and  dishes  we  had  none,  but  the  soldiers  held  out  their  tin-cups,  and 
we  filled  them  from  the  kettles,  with  a  ladle  carved  for  the  occasion. 

In  a  few  days,  stores  were  sent  from  Chattanooga,  better  rooms 
secured,  and  our  rude  arrangements  grew  into  a  regular  feeding 
station  for  the  trains  of  wounded,  which  for  more  than  two  months 
were  coming  back  from  Kingston,  Kenesaw,  Acworth,  Marietta,  and 


494  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Atlanta.  We  made  a  rack  of  railroad  iron,  long  enough  to  hold 
fifteen  camp  kettles,  underneath  which  we  built  our  fires.  With 
these  full  of  coffee,  and  a  harrel,  and  sometimes  two  barrels,  provided 
in  advance,  on  the  telegram  of  the  surgeon,  we  were  ready  for  the 
trains.  The  commissary  furnished  coffee,  sugar,  and  hard  bread. 
We  bought  soft  bread,  and  added  milk  and  soda  crackers.  As  soon 
as  the  coffee  was  served,  our  large  coffee-boilers  became  water-pots, 
and  we  went  from  car  to  car,  filling  canteens  with  cold  water.  No 
one  but  a  wounded  soldier,  unable  to  help  himself,  and  doomed  to 
ride  from  one  to  three  days  in  a  freight  car,  is  competent  to  say  what 
such  a  coffee  station  is  worth.  A  count  of  the  trains  for  one  week 
gives  over  eighteen  hundred  sick  and  wounded  men  thus  cared  for. 

Feeding  the  men  was  not  the  whole  of  our  work.  On  one  occasion 
some  thirty  or  forty  wounded,  who  had  been  brought  in  and  laid  on 
the  floor  of  a  frame  building,  which  served  as  a  kind  of  transfer 
hospital,  were  found  without  surgeon,  steward  or  nurse.  We  went 
immediately,  with  the  agents  of  the  United  States  Sanitary  Com- 
mission, to  their  relief.  Some  were  screaming,  some  groaning,  and 
others,  with  parched  lips,  cried,  "  Water !  water ! "  Their  wounds 
were  inflamed  under  the  dry,  tight  bandages.  Our  first  work  was 
to  pour  water  on  the  bandages,  then  give  water  and  coffee,  and  dress 
the  wounds.  Soon  every  complaint  was  hushed;  we  offered  our 
evening  prayer,  and  by  midnight  nearly  all  were  sleeping. 

We  visited  the  field  hospital  daily.  The  surgeon  in  charge  re- 
quested us  to  hold  religious  services  at  some  convenient  point,  where 
the  convalescents  could  attend,  and  not  in  the  hospital  tents.  But 
in  one  ward  great  desire  for  preaching  was  expressed,  by  those  un- 
able to  leave  their  cots.  "Chaplain,  won't  you  preach  for  us?" 
was  the  frequent  question.  "An',  chaplain,"  said  an  Irishman, 
"Won't  you  plase  praich  for  us?  We  want  to  hear  a  wee  bit  of 
civilization  once  more."  I  referred  the  case  to  the  surgeon.  He 
said  every  man  in  the  tent  must  be  consulted ;  if  one  objected,  the 
services  must  not  be  held.  I  returned  and  asked  every  man.  One 
hesitated, — said  talking  hurt  him.  Others  said,  "  Let's  have  it ;  but 
make  it  short."  I  preached, —  the  entire  service  lasting  twenty 
minutes.  I  asked  the  young  man  if  it  hurt  him.  "Oh,  no  ;"  said 
he,  "  it  did  me  good."  The  surgeon  seemed  pleased  with  the  experi- 
ment and  afforded  every  facility  for  benefiting  his  patients. 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   495 

In  August,  Mr.  Loyd  went  to  Eome,  Ga.,  seventeen 
miles  West  of  Kingston,  to  open  a  Christian  Commission 
station  for  more  than  two  thousand  sick  and  wounded, 
belonging  to  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee. 

While  Mr.  Loyd  was  following  the  Fourth  Corps  in 
its  marchings  and  fightings,  and  feeding  the  wounded 
at  Resaca,  other  agents  and  Delegates  of  the  Commission 
were  doing  similar  work  at  Tunnel  Hill  and  Dalton, 
and  Rev.  W.  A.  Lawrence  and  Arthur  Lawrence  and 
J.  D.  W.  French  were  on  their  march  and  mission  with 
the  Twentieth  Corps,  and  Rev.  H.  McLeod  with  the 
Twenty-third  Corps. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  Commission  had 
no  teams,  nor  even  saddle-horses,  for  the  Delegates  in  this 
army.  They  marched  with  the  men  or  the  ambulance 
trains,  carrying  their  baggage  and  sleeping  in  the  open 
field ;  and  in  a  battle  did  what  could  be  done,  with  will- 
ing hands  and  such  supplies  of  stimulants,  bandages, 
etc.,  as  they  could  carry  in  their  haversacks  or  could 
get  permission  to  load  upon  the  ambulances.  The  agents 
of  the  Commission  at  Chattanooga,  the  base  of  supplies, 
exerted  every  effort  to  send  forward  stores ;  and  as  fast 
as  the  construction  corps  repaired  the  railroad  a  relief 
station  was  opened  at  the  terminus,  with  quarters  for 
Delegates  and  stores  for  distribution.  The  sick  of  the 
army  and  the  wounded,  brought  in  from  the  battles  and 
daily  skirmishes,  were  always  found  collected  at  these 
termini  of  the  newly-repaired  roads,  and  afforded  a  fine 
field  for  the  personal  work  of  the  Delegates,  in  distribut- 
ing supplies,  dressing  wounds,  writing  letters,  and  minis- 
tering religious  consolation  to  the  weak  and  dying. 
Thus  at  Kingston,  Allatoona,  Ac  worth,  Big  Shanty, 


496  AXXALS    OF    THE   CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Marietta,  and  Vinings,  the  Commission  was  able,  with 
the  agents  and  Delegates  following  as  best  they  could  in 
the  different  corps,  and  with  the  supplies  of  stores  and 
re-inforcement  of  Delegates  brought  up  by  the  first  train 
from  Chattanooga,  to  do  an  important  relief  work.  In 
all  this  campaign  the  co-operation  of  the  United  States 
Sanitary  Commission  was  most  hearty  and  helpful. 
During  the  first  two  weeks,  while  their  supplies  were 
largely  in  excess  of  those  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
the  Delegates  were  allowed  to  distribute  freely  from 
their  stores. 

At  the  opening  of  this  campaign  it  became  exceed- 
ingly difficult  to  procure  passes  for  the  Delegates  to  the 
front.  General  Sherman's  disgust  for  all  civilians  in 
the  army  is  well  known.  His  positive  order  to  pass  no 
civilian  beyond  Nashville  seemed  for  a  time  likely  to 
shut  off  all  Delegates,  and  to  reduce  our  working  force 
to  the  corps  agents  marching  with  the  army.  So  diffi- 
cult a  matter  did  the  General  find  it  to  get  his  provost 
officers  to  appreciate  the  problem  of  transportation,  that 
for  a  while  he  left  them  no  discretion  in  the  matter  of 
passes.  Civilians  could  not  go  to  the  front,  except  over 
his  own  signature.  A  request  to  pass  two  Delegates  to 
Chattanooga  came  back  with  a  characteristic  endorse- 
ment :  — 

Certainly  not.  There  is  more  need  of  gunpowder  and  oats  than 
any  moral  or  religious  instruction.  Every  regiment  at  the  front  has 
a  chaplain.1  W.  T.  SHERMAN. 

1  The  array  consisted  at  this  time  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  (150) 
regiments  and  forty  (40)  hatteries;  and  in  the  whole  army,  with  the  regiments 
nt  the  front  and  in  the  hospitals  along  the  line  to  the  rear,  as  far  as  Louisville, 
the  number  of  chaplains  did  not  exceed  eighty  (80),  of  whom  not  one-half  were 
at  the  front. 


WORK    IN    THE   ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       497 

General  Sherman  lias  since  officially  declared  his  high 
appreciation  of  the  work  of  the  Commission,  and  that 
his  restrictions  upon  it  at  this  time  were  from  sheer 
necessity.1  It  may  certainly  be  said  that  General  Sher- 
man's restrictions  were  rigidly  impartial,  and  bore  with 
equal  weight  upon  every  benevolent  society  and  extra- 
governmental  agency.  Soon  after  the  campaign  opened 
this  positive  prohibition  of  passes  was  so  modified  as  to 
allow  Delegates  to  go  forward,  "whenever  by  requisition 
of  a  medical  officer  at  the  front  they  were  shown  to  be 
needed  for  the  distribution  of  hospital  stores."  Under 
this  modification  we  had  no  further  difficulty  during  the 
movement  against  Atlanta,  in  sending  either  Delegates 
or  stores,  except  what  was  inevitable  over  so  long  a  track 
of  railroad, — the  only  line  of  supply  for  one  hundred 
thousand  fighting  men,  and  constantly  liable  to  be  torn 
up  by  guerrillas. 

After  the  emergency  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  was 
over,  and  General  Thomas  was  left  in  command  at 
Nashville,  every  possible  facility  for  moving  at  will  in 
the  army  was  afforded  to  Delegates  and  agents.  The 
provost  guard  recognized  the  Christian  Commission 
badge  as  a  pass,  and  seldom  challenged  the  Delegates.2 

General  Sherman  reached  Kingston  on  Thursday,  the 

1  See  p.  238. 

2  An  incident  occurred  at  Nashville,  illustrating  the  soldiers'  estimate  of  the 
extraordinary  privileges  due  the  Commission.     A  German  guard  of  a  freight 
train  was  instructed  not  to  allow  any  person  to  get  upon  the  train  or  come  near 
the  cars.     One  of  the  cars  was  filled  with  Commission  stores,  and  two  Dele- 
gates were  to  accompany  them,  in  the  same  car,  for  protection.     The  lieutenant 
of  the  guard,  seeing  the  Delegates  pass  into  the  car  unchallenged,  orderrd  tin- 
poldier  before  him,  and  asked,  "What  are  your  instructions?"     "To  let  no 
pody  go  no  vare."     "  Well,  what  are  those  two  men  doing  in  that  car?"     "Oh, 
dey  is  de  Christian  Commission  ;  —  she  go  ebery  vare." 

63 


498  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

19th  of  May.  Taking  headquarters  in  town,  and  send- 
ing his  army  into  camp  along  the  stream  and  in  the 
woods  beyond,  he  waited  for  his  construction  train  and 
army  supplies.  The  Commission  agent  and  Delegates 
had  walked  from  Resaca,  and  established  themselves  in 
a  large  hotel  near  the  depot.  In  twenty-four  hours 
every  room  in  the  house  was  filled  with  the  sick,  who 
had  dropped  out  of  ranks  on  the  march,  with  the  sur- 
geon's permit  to  go  to  hospital,  or  were  brought  in 
ambulances,  to  wait  transportation  by  cars  to  Chat- 
tanooga. To  nurse  and  feed  these  sick,  at  first  from  the 
stores  brought  through  in  the  ambulances,  and  after- 
wards from  the  large  supplies  furnished  by  the  Western 
Sanitary  Commission,  and  to  load  them  upon  the  box- 
cars, and  fit  them  out  with  water  and  rations  for  their 
ride  to  Chattanooga,  fully  occupied  the  entire  time  and 
strength  of  our  force  until  the  Monday  following. 
General  Sherman  then  abandoned  Kingston,  and,  with 
full  commissary  and  quartermaster  trains,  swung  off  to 
the  right,  in  order  to  flank  Johnston  out  of  the  Alla- 
toona  Mountains. 

An  agent  of  the  Commission  gives  the  following  sketch 
of  his  Sabbath's  work  at  Kingston :  — 

When  we  found  that  the  army  was  to  be  at  rest  over  the  Sabbath, 
appointments  were  made  in  the  different  brigades  for  two  or  three 
services  to  each  preaching  Delegate.  I  had  an  appointment  in  the 
Baptist  church  in  the  morning,  and  at  General  Howard's  headquar- 
ters, in  the  woods,  in  the  afternoon.  The  church  had  not  been  cleaned 
since  its  occupation  as  a  rebel  hospital.  The  sexton,  who  agreed  to 
put  the  house  in  order  on  Saturday  afternoon,  failed  me,  and  only 
an  hour  before  the  time  for  service  I  discovered  that  another  man, 
engaged  and  paid  for  doing  the  same  work  on  Sabbath  morning,  had 
served  me  in  the  same  way.  It  was  too  late  now  to  look  for  help. 


WORK  IX  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   499 

[  took  off  my  ministerial  coat,  and  for  one  hour,  with  the  mercury 
at  ninety  degrees,  worked  with  might  and  main.  When  I  had  swept 
out  the  straw,  cleared  the  rubbish  from  the  pulpit,  thrown  the  bunks 
out  the  window,  pitched  the  old  seats  down  from  the  loft,  arranged 
them  in  order  on  the  floor,  and  dusted  the  whole  house  over  twice,  it 
was  time  for  service.  I  sprang  up  into  the  belfry  (the  rope  had  been 
cut  away),  and,  with  some  pretty  vigorous  strokes  by  the  bell  tongue, 
told  the  people  around  that  the  hour  for  worship  had  arrived.  Drop- 
ping down  again,  through  the  scuttle  upon  the  vestibule  floor,  a 
treacherous  nail  carried  away  an  important  part  of  one  leg  of  my 
pantaloons.  It  was  my  only  suit  at  the  front,  and  while  I  was  pon- 
dering how  I  should  present  myself  before  the  congregation,  a  cor- 
poral and  two  bayonets  from  General  Sherman's  headquarters,  not 
twenty  yards  away,  came  to  help  me  in  the  decision.  "  Did  you  ring 
the  bell  ?"  "  I  did."  "  I  am  ordered  to  arrest  you."  "  For  what  ?" 
"To  bring  you  to  General  Sherman's  headquarters."  "But,  Corpo- 
ral, I  can't  see  the  General  in  this  plight.  I  am  an  agent  of  the 
Christian  Commission,  and  am  to  preach  here  this  morning,  and  was 
ringing  the  bell  for  service.  If  you  will  tell  the  General  how  it  is,  it 
will  be  all  right."  "That's  not  the  order,  sir."  "Well,  Corporal, 
send  a  guard  with  me  to  my  quarters,  till  I  can  wash  up  and  pin 
together  this  rent."  "That's  not  the  order,  sir; — fall  in."  Without 
hat  or  coat,  and  with  gaping  wardrobe,  preceded  by  the  corporal  and 
followed  by  the  bayonets,  I  called  at  headquarters.  General  Corse, 
chief  of  staff,  standing  by  the  side  of  General  Sherman,  received  me. 
Without  waiting  for  charges  or  questions,  I  said,  "General,  I  belong 
to  the  Christian  Commission.  We  are  to  have  service  in  the  church 
across  the  way,  and  I  was  ringing  the  bell."  "Is  this  Sunday?  Some 
mischievous  soldiers  had  alarmed  the  people  by  ringing  the  bell,  and 
an  order  was  issued  against  it;  but  we  were  not  aware  this  was  Sun- 
day. There  is  no  harm  done.  At  what  hour  is  the  service?" — and, 
bowing  me  out,  he  discharged  my  guard.  As  I  entered.  General 
Sherman  was  drumming  with  thumb  and  finger  on  the  window-sill, 
and  when  the  corporal  announced  his  prisoner,  the  General  command- 
ing fixed  his  cold  gray  eye  on  me  for  a  moment,  motioned  to  his 
chief  to  attend  to  the  case,  and,  without  moving  a  muscle  of  his  face, 
resumed  his  drumming  and  his  Sabbath  problem, — how  to  flank 
Johnston  out  of  the  Allatoona  Mountains. 


500  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

This  extra  duty  as  sexton,  and  obedience  to  the  corporal's  "order," 
made  it  necessary  to  procure  a  pulpit  substitute  for  the  morning. 
The  Delegate  who  preached  reported  an  interested  congregation,  and 
among  them  representatives  from  headquarters. 

In  the  afternoon  I  rode  over  to  the  Fourth  Corps,  four  miles  away. 
General  Howard  had  notified  the  regiments  around  of  the  service. 
Two  of  his  division  commanders  were  present,  and  Brigadier-General 
Harker,  whose  promotion  was  so  recent  that  the  star  had  not  yet 
supplanted  the  eagle  on  his  shoulder.  This  was  the  last  Sabbath 
service  which  this  manly,  modest,  gallant  officer  attended.  Five 
weeks  later,  in  the  charge  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  he  was  shot  dead. 
That  Sabbath  in  the  woods  I  shall  never  forget; — the  earnest  atten- 
tion of  all  to  the  theme, —  "The  safety  of  those  who  do  their  duty, 
trusting  in  God," — and  the  hearty  responses  of  the  Christian  men, 
and  the  full  chorus  in  the  closing  hymn, 

When  I  can  read  my  title  clear. 

But  the  most  effective  sermon  of  the  day  was  by  the  General  com- 
manding the  corps,  given  upon  the  piazza  of  his  headquarters,  sur- 
rounded by  his  staff,  his  division  commanders  and  other  general  offi- 
cers. Nothing  could  be  more  natural  than  the  turn  of  the  conversa- 
tion upon  religious  topics.  The  General  spoke  of  the  Saviour,  his 
love  for  Him  and  his  peace  in  His  service,  as  freely  and  simply  as  he 
could  have  spoken  in  his  own  family  circle.  He  related  instances  of 
Christian  trust  and  devotion  and  triumph.  Speaking  of  the  high 
calling  of  chaplains,  and  the  importance  that  they  should  always  be 
with  their  regiments  at  the  front,  he  told  us  of  his  visit  to  Newton  s 
division  hospital  the  night  after  the  battle  of  Resaca,  where  he  found 
a  fair-faced  boy  who  could  not  live  till  morning.  He  knelt  down  on 
his  blanket  and  asked  if  there  was  anything  he  wanted  done  for  him. 
"Yes,"  said  the  boy,  "I  want  somebody  to  tell  me  how  to  find  the 
Saviour."  "I  never  felt  my  ignorance  so  much  before,"  said  the 
General.  "  Here  was  a  mind  ready  now  to  hear  and  act  on  the  truth 
What  if  I  should  give  him  wrong  directions?  How  I  washed  I  had 
a  minister's  training."  And  then  he  told  us  what  directions  he  gave, 
and  of  the  prayer,  and  of  the  boy's  smile  and  peace, — appealing  now 
to  me  and  then  to  his  generals,  if  it  was  not  right  and  beautiful;  and 
so,  under  the  pressure  unconsciously  applied  by  their  superior  officer, 


WORK    Itf   THE    ARMY    OF   THE    CUMBERLAND.       501 

with  lips  all  unused  to  such  confession,  they  acknowledged  the  power 
and  grace  of  God. 

When  the  enemy  had  been  flanked  out  of  the  Allatoona 
Mountains,  Kingston  was  again  occupied,  and  became 
the  base  hospital  for  the  army  during  the  fights  at 
Pumpkinvine  Creek,  Dallas,  and  New  Hope  Church. 
Here  the  wounded,  principally  from  General  Hooker's 
and  General  Howard's  corps,  brought  in  ambulances 
across  the  country,  twenty  and  thirty  miles,  over  the 
roughest  of  Georgia  roads,  filled  all  the  rooms  and  the 
out-buildings  and  large  yard  of  a  farm-house.  Mrs. 
Bickerdyke,  and  Mrs.  Rev.  J.  Porter,  of  Chicago,  estab- 
lished themselves  as  matrons,  and,  by  the  courtesy  of 
the  surgeon  in  charge,  managers  of  the  hospital.  Never 
were  the  supplies  of  the  benevolent  more  wisely  and 
tenderly  applied,  directly  to  the  relief  of  the  suffering, 
than  under  their  administration.  The  Delegates  wrought 
here  so  as  to  gain  the  unqualified  commendation  of  Dr. 
Cox,  the  surgeon  in  charge.  Dr.  Wright,  surgeon  of  the 
post,  seeing  their  work,  signed  a  requisition  by  telegraph 
for  twenty  more  Delegates  to  be  passed  at  Nashville. 

When  most  of  the  patients  at  Kingston  had  been 
removed  to  the  rear,  and  a  general  hospital  established 
further  on,  the  Delegates  moved  forward  to  join  those 
who  had  marched  with  the  army.  An  agent,  returning 
a  few  days  after,  writes  an  account  of  a  day's  work  with 
the  few  men  who  remained  at  Kingston :  — 

During  the  move  on  Atlanta  I  was  coming  back  from  the  front, 
when  I  learned  that  the  Delegates  had  left  Kingston,  and  that  there 
was  no  chaplain  in  either  of  the  two  hospitals.  It  was  two  weeks 
after  the  hard  fight  on  the  right  by  the  Fourth  and  Twentieth  corps, 
and  I  knew  it  must  be  the  time  for  many  of  the  wounded  to  die ; 


502  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  they  must  not  die  alone.  I  determined  to  forego  business  at 
Chattanooga,  and  stop  over.  There  were  many  low  cases.  Four  or 
five,  I  was  sure,  would  not  live  twenty-four  hours.  One  was  too  far 
gone  to  converse.  Nothing  could  be  done  but  to  write  to  his  little 
daughter,  the  only  surviving  member  of  his  family,  as  one  of  his 
comrades  said.  Another  could  speak  only  by  nods  and  the  pressure 
of  the  hand.  By  this  means  of  communication  I  learned  that  he 
was  peacefully  waiting  to  die.  As  I  prayed  at  his  cot  his  "amen" 
was  given  by  the  pressure  on  my  hand,  and  when  the  petition  rose 
for  wife  and  children  the  responses  came  thick  and  fervent.  He 
slept  in  the  night,  and  never  woke.  Another  was  seeking  the 
Saviour,  and  ventured  to  trust  before  he  died.  Another,  an  Indiana 
soldier,  sent  for  me  in  the  night.  He  was  dying, — a  fair-faced  boy 
of  eighteen  years.  His  leg  had  been  cut  off  by  a  shell,  and  amputa- 
tion had  prostrated  him  beyond  recovery.  He  was  a  Sabbath-school 
boy.  He  wanted  me  to  take  his  last  words  home  to  his  mother  and 
sister.  "  Poor  mother,  how  she  will  take  on !  Tell  her  not  to  cry 
for  me.  I  love  Jesus.  I  put  all  my  trust  in  Him.  When  you 
prayed  with  me  this  afternoon  I  felt  my  soul  going  right  out  to  Him. 
Tell  my  sister  not  to  fret  after  me.  I  have  done  the  best  I  could  for 
my  country,  and  now  I  want  them  to  meet  me  in  heaven.  Tell  my 
sister  to  be  sure  and  hold  out  faithful."  He  gave  me  his  memorandum 
and  pocket-book  and  a  number  of  keepsakes;  — asked  me  to  pull  the 
two  rings  from  his  hand  and  send  to  his  sister,  and  tell  her  that  they 
were  taken  off  after  his  hand  was  getting  cold.  After  prayer,  we 
sang  the  hymn  commencing 

There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood. 

He  joined  in,  breaking  the  tune  now  and  then  with  "Yes,  yes ;  if  he 
could  trust  Him,  I  can."  "Yes,  when  I  die."  "That  will  be 
sweeter."  "  Power  to  save  ;  power  to  save ;  I  used  to  sing  that  hymn 
at  home,  but  it  was  never  so  good  as  this ; — power  to  save."  I  gave 
him  my  hand  for  good-bye.  He  drew  me  down  for  a  kiss,  and  Mrs. 
George  must  have  one  also,  and  the  nurse;  and  then  we  left  him. 
Before  I  had  passed  through  the  ward  the  nurse  called  me  back. 
"  He  wants  to  speak  to  you."  When  I  reached  the  cot  he  asked  to 
Bee  the  daguerreotype  pictures  in  his  memorandum.  I  took  out 
three  and  held  them  up  one  by  one.  Mother  came  first.  "  Dear 


WORK    IN    THE   ARMY    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND.       503 

mother,"  he  said,  as  he  took  it  in  his  trembling  fingers ;  "  good-bye  ; 
I  wish  I  could  see  you,  but  I  am  going  to  die  in  Georgia."  In  tears 
and  sobbing  he  pressed  the  ambrotype  to  his  lips;  —  "Good-bye; 
good-bye."  He  takes  the  next.  "  Sister,  dear  sister ;  don't  fret  for 
me;  I'll  see  you  again;  only  be  faithful;  good-bye,  dear  sister, 
good-bye  ;"  and  he  prints  on  the  glass  his  dying  kiss.  The  next  one 
he  looks  at  with  unutterable  longing.  His  lips  quiver,  and  his  whole 
frame  shakes.  He  calls  no  name.  He  kisses  it  over  and  over,  and 
holds  it  under  his  hand  on  his  breast.  I  put  my  mouth  close  to  his 
ear  and  whispered,  "  This  is  hard."  "  Yes,  it  is  hard ;  I  would  like 
to  go  home ;  but  I  am  content."  "  You  are  dying  now,  before  you 
are  twenty  years  old.  Are  you  not  sorry  you  enlisted  ?"  He  looked 
at  me  steadily.  His  sobbing  ceased,  and  with  a  firm,  deliberate 
tone,  he  said,  "  Not  a  bit ;  I  was  glad  when  I  enlisted,  and  I  am  glad 
now.  I  am  willing  to  die  for  my  country."  That  midnight  scene 
cannot  be  described.  The  patients  in  the  ward,  that  could  walk, 
gathering  round;  others  in  their  beds,  rising  up  on  elbow;  the 
nurses  standing  about, — one  of  them  holding,  at  the  head  of  the  cot, 
the  single  candle  of  the  ward ;  the  prayer,  the  hymn,  the  last  mes- 
sage, the  good-bye,  the  family  leave-takings,  and  the  consecration 
unto  death  on  the  altar  of  country; — they  fill  a  blessed  page  in  my 
memory,  but  I  cannot  transfer  it  to  you.  . 

When  the  army  swung  in  to  the  left,  from  the  flank 
movement  on  Dallas,  and  again  struck  the  railroad  at 
Acworth,  Allatoona  and  Big  Shanty  hospitals  were 
opened,  and  the  work  of  Kingston  and  Resaca  was  re- 
peated. There  was  rest  for  a  few  days,  and  then  came 
the  frightful  struggle  upon  Johnston's  line,  stretching 
across  Pine  and  Lost  and  Kenesaw  Mountains.  It 
ended  in  a  general  charge  on  Kenesaw,  and  the  bloody 
repulse  which  filled  up  the  hospitals  at  Big  Shanty  and 
Acworth.  A  resort  once  more  to  the  favorite  move- 
ment by  the  flank  opened  Marietta  to  our  forces.  On 
the  13th  of  July,  General  Sherman  rode  through  the 
town,  before  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Messrs. 


504  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Lawrence  and  Critchfield,  with  a  team  of  Georgia 
wagons  purchased  at  Acworth,  pushed  into  Marietta, 
and  welcomed  the  ambulance  train  with  a  coffee  station 
in  full  running  order, — greatly  to  the  surprise  of  the 
surgeon,  who  asked  if  the  Christian  Commission  had 
been  holding  Marietta  during  the  war.  At  this  point, 
and  in  the  general  hospital  at  Vinings,  where  the  sick 
and  wounded  from  the  army  before  Atlanta  were 
gathered,  to  wait  their  turn  in  the  hospital  train  to 
Chattanooga,  the  Commission  found  a  large  field  for  its 
labors.  After  the  capture  of  Atlanta,  Chaplain  Critch- 
field, of  the  Twenty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
detailed  to  the  service  of  the  Commission,  opened  a 
Delegates'  home,  and  rooms  for  stores  and  for  reading 
and  writing,  and  obtained  the  use  of  the  largest  church 
in  the  city  for  a  chapel.  The  soldiers  came  eagerly  to 
the  meetings,  and  the  spirit  manifested  led  to  the  ex- 
pectation of  a  great  religious  work  with  the  army.  But 
Hood's  movement  North  and  Sherman's  South  caused 
the  abandonment  of  Atlanta  and  of  all  the  stations  on 
the  line  to  Chattanooga.  Two  agents  of  the  Commis- 
sion, Rev.  Wm.  A.  Lawrence  and  Arthur  Lawrence,  of 
Boston,  followed  the  army  in  the  "Great  March"  to  the 
sea,  in  order  to  be  ready  to  receive  the  Delegates  and 
stores  that  should  be  sent  to  meet  them,  at  whatever 
point  the  army  might  touch  the  coast.  The  following 
extracts  are  from  Rev.  Mr.  Lawrence's  account  of  this 
expedition,  as  given  under  date  of  Savannah,  Georgia, 
January  15,  1865:  — 

Our  mission  in  this  army  is  over.  I  leave  for  New  York  to- 
morrow ;  and  now  I  ought  to  give  you  some  slight  sketch,  at  least, 
of  our  work  since  we  left  Atlanta.  I  almost  wish  we  could  forget 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE   CUMBERLAND.       505 

the  Commission  and  its  duties  for  a  moment,  that  I  might  describe  a 
few  of  the  striking  features  of  this  wonderful  campaign.  The  long 
line  of  fire  came  pouring  down  on  us  at  Atlanta,  like  a  column  of 
volcanic  lava,  as  Sherman  rolled  up  the  railroad  with  him,  and  as 
the  rear-guard  came  down  from  the  Etowah.  Then  the  aAvful  burn- 
ing of  Atlanta, —  the  long  lines  of  blue  moving  silently  away  from 
the  burning  city  and  plunging  into  the  unknown  forests, — who  could 
tell  whither  ?  Then  the  incidents  of  the  campaign,  the  crossing  of 
swamps  and  rivers,  the  building  of  bridges  and  corduroy  roads,  the 
taking  of  Milledgeville,  the  burning  of  houses  and  depots  and  rail- 
roads and  bridges  and  villages  and  everything  that  would  burn,  the 
"foraging  liberally  on  the  country,"  the  investment  of  Savannah, 
the  taking  of  Fort  McAllister,  the  arrival  of  supplies,  the  evacua- 
tion of  the  city,  our  triumphal  entry  and  general  jubilee, —  all  these 
would  interest  you  much  ;  but  I  have  to  ask  you,  instead,  to  follow 
the  fortunes  of  your  two  agents,  Arthur  Lawrence  and  myself,  as  we 
take  up  the  line  of  march  with  the  army, —  Arthur  in  the  right 
wring,  General  Howard's,  and  I  in  the  left,  General  Slocum's. 

We  expected  that  a  march  of  fifteen  miles  a  day,  with  the  delay 
and  labor  connected  with  three  meals  and  camping  at  night,  would 
take  all  our  time  on  the  march,  and  it  very  nearly  did  it.  Still  there 
were  times  when  we  could  remind  ourselves  of  our  work,  by  carrying 
a  poor,  tired  fellow's  gun  or  knapsack  when  the  ambulances  were 
full.  Often,  far  too  often,  the  ambulance,  moving  on  the  same  as 
ever,  became  some  poor  fellow's  death-bed,  and  at  night  his  grave 
was  dug  beside  the  road,  and  marked  by  a  board  roughly  inscribed 
with  the  soldier's  name  and  regiment,  and  the  poor  fellow  left  to  his 
rest  in  the  heart  of  Rebeldom.  All  we  could  do  was  to  take  a  full 
memorandum,  to  send  to  his  friends  at  home  as  soon  as  we  reached 
Savannah. 

Moving  on  in  this  way  from  day  to  day,  finding  a  rich,  fertile 
country  before  us,  and  leaving  what  the  boys  called  a  "black  streak," 
thirty  to  fifty  miles  in  width,  behind  us,  we  arrived  before  Savannah 
on  the  llth  of  December.  On  the  13th  Fort  McAllister  was  taken 
(where  one  of  us  had  the  pleasure  of  administering  a  little  of  the 
rebel  commandant's  wine  to  one  of  his  wounded  men,  neglected  by 
his  own  surgeon),  and  communication  was  open. 

On  the  21st  of  December  we  entered  Savannah.     The  provost 


506  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

marshal  told  me  to  select  any  rooms  I  pleased  in  the  city,  and  he 
would  assign  them.  I  took  a  fine  store  on  Bay  street,  near  the 
exchange  and  post  office,  about  a  hundred  feet  by  forty,  good  ware- 
room  in  cellar  and  two  rooms  over  head,  very  suitable  for  reading- 
room  and  library  or  office, — just  such  quarters  and  in  just  the  loca- 
tion we  wanted,  and  they  were  promptly  assigned  to  us.  Very  soon 
supplies  began  to  arrive.  We  fitted  up  our  room  with  fifty  writing- 
desks,  and  from  two  to  three  hundred  letters  were  written  daily,  and 
those  which  had  no  stamp  (about  two-thirds  of  the  whole)  we  stamped 
and  forwarded.  It  was  surprising  to  see  the  eagerness  and  thankfulness 
with  which  our  supplies  were  received.  Men  who  had  been  without  any 
kind  of  reading  for  almost  two  months  were  hungry  for  some  solid  and 
substantial  food  for  thought,  and  those  who  knew  their  families  had 
been  in  an  agony  of  suspense  in  regard  to  their  safety  all  through 
the  campaign,  were  delighted  to  find  pen,  ink,  paper,  writing-desk 
and  stamps  in  waiting  for  them, —  free ;  stationery  was  also  forwarded 
to  them  in  camp,  through  their  chaplains,  sometimes  ten  and  fifteen 
miles  out  of  Savannah.  I  believe  there  is  no  nobler  or  more  faith- 
ful body  of  men  on  the  face  of  the  earth  than  the  chaplains  in 
Sherman's  army,  that  have  held  their  position  up  to  the  present 
time.  Eight  or  ten  labored  with  us,  distributing  our  stores  day  after 
day,  not  confining  themselves  to  their  own  regiments,  but  acting  in 
every  respect  as  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission.  While 
this  distribution  of  stores  was  going  on  in  the  surrounding  camps, 
our  rooms  in  Savannah  Avere  thronged  from  morning  till  night.  We 
opened  one  morning  at  nine  o'clock  with  a  stock  of  four  thousand 
books  and  papers,  and  at  two  o'clock  p.  M.  all  were  gone,  and  almost 
every  one  taken  from  the  counter, — a  book  or  paper  to  each  man 
who  presented  himself.  You  can  judge  of  the  continual  crowd  and 
procession  of  men  in  and  out,  in  order  to  have  distributed  that 
amount  of  stores  in  those  five  hours.  It  would  be  impossible  to  give 
you  any  idea  of  the  thankfulness  with  which  the  reading,  thread, 
needles,  buttons,  pens,  ink,  paper,  etc.,  were  received  by  the  men. 
Some  regiments  sent  in  a  messenger  to  thank  us.  The  "Irish 
Legion "  gave  three  cheers  for  the  Christian  Commission.  "  There 
is  something  in  Christianity  after  all,"  said  a  man  as  he  left  our 
counter  one  day,  and  a  like  conviction  was  written  pretty  legibly  on 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   507 

the  faces  of  many  who  had  come  in  carelessly,  "just  to  see  what  we 
had  to  sell." 

In  November  the  rebels,  under  General  Hood,  follow- 
ing our  forces  as  they  fell  back  from  the  Tennessee  river, 
brought  the  "front"  into  Middle  Tennessee,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  to  the  fortifications  at  Nashville,  and  within 
two  miles  of  our  Delegates'  Home.  In  the  fights  at 
Columbia  and  Spring  Hill  the  Commission  was  well 
represented,  and  able  to  afford  personal  relief  to  many 
of  the  wounded.  In  the  terrible  battle  of  Franklin, 
and  the  hasty  falling  back  to  Nashville,  there  was  all 
and  more  than  its  strong  party  could  do.  The  Dele- 
gates dressed  wounds  till  midnight  at  Spring  Hill,  then 
marched  on  foot  with  the  ambulance  train  to  Franklin, 
dressed  wounds  again  till  dark,  and  came  into  Nashville 
at  twelve  o'clock  of  the  second  night,  with  ten  box-cars 
filled  with  wounded,  who,  before  daylight,  were  all  lifted 
and  loaded  into  the  ambulances,  for  the  hospitals.  The 
Delegates  were  the  sole  persons  in  charge  of  these  men, — 
not  even  having  the  assistance  of  nurses  to  carry  the 
stretchers. 

The  following  account  of  the  work  of  the  Commission 
at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  and  among  our  recaptured 
prisoners  at  Franklin,  is  given  by  the  General  Field 
Agent :  — 

When  General  Thomas  moved  out  of  his  fortifications  at  Nashville 
our  force  of  Delegates  was  divided  into  five  parties.  One  on  the  left, 
under  Mr.  Farwell,  went  to  General  Steadman's  command  of  colored 
and  detached  troops;  the  second,  in  the  centre,  under  Mr.  Ewing, 
went  to  the  Fourth  Corps;  the  third,  under  Mr.  McLeod,  to  the 
Twenty-third  Corps;  the  fourth,  with  Carter  and  Jacobs,  to  the  Six- 
teenth Corps;  and  the  fifth  was  held  in  reserve  for  the  hospitals  in 
the  city. 


508  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

The  zeal  and  efficiency  of  the  Delegates  on  the  left  attracted  the 
attention  of  general  officers,  and  the  blood-stains  on  their  persons 
bore  witness  to  their  work  in  carrying  off  the  dead  and  wounded. 
A  surgeon,  in  charge  of  a  division  hospital  for  the  colored  troops, 
called  afterwards  at  our  office  to  thank  personally  the  men  who, 
"without  obtrusion,  were  sure  to  turn  up  just  when  there  was  need." 
He  said  many  of  those  black  soldiers  were  picked  up  and  taken  care 
of  that  day,  who  would  never  know  that  the  Christian  Commission 
saved  them.  In  the  centre  the  hospital  arrangements  were  such  that 
there  was  little  need  of  outside  help  for  feeding  the  men,  and  the 
wounded  were  taken  rapidly  back  on  the  Franklin  pike  to  the  city 
hospitals.  Here  the  Delegates'  work  was  principally  that  of  dressing 
wounds,  comforting  sufferers,  and  taking  down  home  addresses  and 
memoranda  for  home  letters, —  the  last  messages  of  the  dying.  On 
the  right,  having  followed  all  the  afternoon  in  the  victorious  move- 
ments of  the  cavalry  and  the  Sixteenth  and  Twenty-third  Corps,  by 
which  the  enemy  were  flanked  and  driven  rapidly  back,  the  Dele- 
gates found  themselves  at  nightfall  on  a  field  over  which  our  men 
had  just  swept  in  a  deadly  charge  upon  the  enemy's  guns, — busily 
engaged  in  helping  the  wounded  with  water,  bandages  and  cordials. 
The  work  for  the  night  was  to  go  over  the  field,  searching  for  men 
who  had  been  missed  by  the  stretcher-bearers ;  gather  up  the  dead, 
identify  them  through  their  comrades,  if  possible,  and  mark  them  by 
a  card;  and  to  give  coffee  and  hot  soup  at  the  flying  hospital,  and  be 
next  friend  to  men  dreadfully  wounded, — many  of  them  dying. 

Coming  upon  a  straw  stack  in  our  search  for  the  dead,  we  found 
two  bodies  side  by  side,  as  if  laid  together  by  some  friendly  hand. 
As  we  were  lifting  them  on  the  stretcher  one  of  them  sprang  out  of 
our  hands,  and,  pointing  to  his  comrade,  said,  "It's  my  brother,  sir; 
it's  my  brother  that's  dead.  We  two  were  all;  we  enlisted  together, 
and  I  am  alone  now."  Missing  him  in  the  fight,  he  had  hunted  over 
the  field  and  found  him  dead  by  the  stack;  and,  lying  down  to  watch 
him  till  morning,  had  fallen  into  "the  image  of  death,"  from  which 
we  had  awakened  him.  When  we  took  up  the  body,  to  lay  it  in  line 
with  others,  the  brother  followed  after,  bringing  straw  to  make  a  bed 
for  himself  and  his  dead.  We  gave  him  room  in  that  long  row  of 
silent  sleepers,  and,  nestling  close  to  the  corpse,  he  lay  down  for  his 
last  night's  rest  with  his  brother. 


WORK  IN  THE  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND.   509 

The  scene  at  the  house  taken  for  a  hospital  baffles  description. 
While  Hood  was  falling  back,  the  citizens  who  still  believed  in  the 
Confederacy  had  taken  their  movable  property,  including  bedding 
and  best  furniture,  to  the  rear,  for  protection  within  rebel  lines.  This 
house  had  been  made  a  receptacle  for  neighbors'  furniture,  and  we 
were  hence  able  to  put  a  first-class  mattress  under  every  wounded 
man.  All  the  rooms  below,  and  the  piazza  on  three  sides  of  the 
house,  were  laid  thick  with  officers  and  privates.  Some  were  sleep- 
ing under  the  power  of  opiates,  some  were  already  sleeping  in  death, 
others  were  writhing  in  mortal  agony.  Some  were  calling  for  the 
surgeon,  some  for  water,  some  for  mercy;  others  were  offering  a 
prayer  of  trust  and  joyous  hope  of  heaven  just  at  hand,  and  others 
still  wrere  waiting  in  silent,  anxious  suspense  for  the  surgeon's  deci- 
sion as  to  the  nature  of  their  wounds.  At  one  o'clock,  after  personal 
attention  to  every  man,  and  having  arranged  for  a  watch  by  relief, 
we  rolled  up  in  our  blankets  for  a  little  rest.  But  there  was  one 
voice  from  the  wounded,  rising  above  all  the  others,  now  in  a  shriek 
of  torture  and  now  in  a  tender  appeal  to  the  Saviour.  It  was  from 
an  Illinois  soldier,  wounded  in  the  bowels.  One  of  the  Delegates, 
bending  over  him,  whispered,  "Jackson,  do  you  love  Jesus?"  "Don't 
I  love  Him!"  was  the  instant  reply.  His  wound  was  mortal,  and 
beyond  any  human  relief.  We  were  obliged  to  leave  him  and  go 
back  to  our  blankets.  Long  after  midnight  that  voice  from  the 
piazza,  distinct  in  the  dreadful  chorus  of  groans,  making  sleep  im- 
possible, stole  in  on  the  chilly  night  air  like  the  voice  of  a  flute  in 
the  clangor  of  trumpets:  "Dear  Jesus,  you  know  I  love  you.  Come, 
Jesus,  dear  Jesus ;  I  am  all  ready  now.  Come,  Jesus.  You  love  me, 
and  you  know  I  love  you,  dear  Jesus."  Fainter  and  less  frequent 
came  that  sweet,  divine  appeal,  till  it  ceased  and  we  slept.  In  the 
morning  we  found  a  smile  in  the  eye  and  on  the  lip  of  the  dead  pa- 
triot, and  he  seemed  to  be  still  repeating,  "  Dear  Jesus,  you  love  me, 
and  you  know  I  love  you." 

When  the  morning  broke  we  gave  coffee  and  crackers  and  chicken 
soup  for  breakfast,  and  then  the  wounded  wrere  taken  in  ambulances 
to  the  city.  We  found  the  planter's  spades,  and  dug  graves  in  his 
garden  for  the  dead,  while  the  shells  of  hostile  batteries  were  scream- 
ing across  from  two  opposite  hills,  almost  in  a  line  over  our  heads. 

The  fight  of  the  second  day  was  still  more  sharp  and  decisive. 


510  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  enemy  were  routed  at  every  point,  and  left  their  dead  and 
wounded  on  the  field.  Our  men,  in  the  last  charge,  swept  over  a 
ploughed  field.  They  sank  in  the  mud  at  every  step,  but  still  pressed 
on,  and  many  of  them  fell  within  a  musket's  length  of  the  enemy's 
works.  We  divided  that  field  into  sections,  and  went  over  it  in 
search  of  the  wounded,  and  to  mark  the  dead  wherever  they  could 
be  identified.  At  night,  at  five  hospitals,  we  repeated  the  work  of 
the  preceding  night,  on  freshly  wounded  men.  The  next  morning  the 
army  started  in  pursuit  of  the  flying  rebels,  taking  with  them  the 
hospital  wagons  and  ambulances.  The  post  ambulances  were  busy, 
taking  in  the  wounded  from  the  left,  and  it  was  three  days  before 
these  residences,  made  into  hospitals  and  filled  in  one  hour  from  the 
field  of  carnage,  were  emptied  of  their  patients ;  and  then  the  medi- 
cal authorities  were  obliged  to  press  into  service  the  hacks  and 
omnibuses  and  express  wagons  of  the  city.  During  that  time  we  fed 
the  wounded.  There  was  no  other  provision  for  their  wants,  except 
now  and  then  a  wounded  man  might  have  in  his  haversack  a  ration 
or  two  of  hard  tack. 

In  that  first  night  of  the  battle,  while  we  lay  listening  to  the  sol- 
dier's dying  appeal  to  his  Saviour,  the  party  in  reserve,  after  the 
day's  duty  in  the  hospital,  were  gathered  around  the  dying  bed  of  a 
brother  Delegate,  at  our  Home  in  the  city.  James  S.  Kimball,  of 
Boston,  who  had  declined  a  commission  in  the  army  to  give  gratui- 
tous service  in  the  Christian  Commission,  preached  in  the  barracks  a 
few  evenings  before,  and  finding  a  soldier  without  coat  or  blanket, 
shivering  in  the  cold,  loaned  him  his  shawl,  forgetting  his  own  pecu- 
liar exposure  to  the  night  wind  after  the  excitement  of  a  preaching 
service.  The  next  day  he  was  prostrate  with  a  chill  that  brought 
congestion  and  brain  fever.  As  his  chamber  windows  shook  with 
the  guns  from  Fort  Negley,  multiplied  into  a  hundred  batteries  along 
the  line,  his  zeal  for  saving  men  kindled  anew.  He  was  passing  in 
spirit  through  the  barracks  and  hospital  wards,  gathering  imagined 
congregations,  leading  them  in  song  and  prayer,  and  exhorting  them 
most  earnestly  to  a  new  life.  So  he  continued  to  the  last.  It  was 
the  soul,  Kimball  himself,  after  an  over-worked  brain  had  broken 
down,  holding  fast  to  the  one  idea  of  his  life,  salvation  now  for  those 
who  believe  in  Christ;  and  thus  he  passed,  through  fever  and 


WORK    IN    THE    ARMY    OF    THE   CUMBERLAND.       511 

delirium,  to  be  in  the  world  above  war  and  weariness,  "forever  with 
the  Lord." 

In  the  complete  rout  from  before  Nashville  and  his  flight  to  the 
Tennessee  river,  Hood  had  neither  time  nor  the  means,  if  indeed  he 
had  the  wish,  to  remove  our  prisoners  at  Franklin.  While  the  roads 
were  blocked  with  the  artillery  and  the  commissary  trains,  so  as  to 
render  it  impossible  to  get  through  with  our  supply  wagon,  Mr. 
Ewing,  loading  himself  down  with  milk,  tea,  oysters,  butter,  and  soft 
crackers,  pushed  through  on  foot  eighteen  miles  to  Franklin,  and 
was  the  first  to  bring  the  gifts  of  home  to  these  sufferers.  The  scenes 
attending  that  first  day's  labor  among  the  recaptured  wounded, — 
their  enthusiasm  on  the  news,  manifested  by  hurrahs,  and  stretch- 
ing over,  whenever  they  could  move,  to  shake  hands  with  each  other 
over  the  victory;  their  eagerness  to  send  word  home;  their  hunger 
and  filth,  many  of  them  lying  in  the  clothes  in  which  they  were 
brought  from  the  field ;  their  grateful  exclamations  over  the  taste  of 
oyster  soup  and  buttered  cracker  passed  to  each  man ;  and  when, 
after  all  had  had  enough  out  of  that  haversack  to  remind  them  of 
home,  and  many  of  the  sick  enough  to  satisfy  a  dreadful  craving, 
and  they  were  adjusting  themselves  for  another  night  on  their  bloody 
blankets,  a  hymn  and  evening  prayers  were  proposed,  their  fervent, 
unanimous  "  Yes,  chaplain  ;  let 's  have  prayers,"  followed  by  "That 's 
good ;  thank  you,  chaplain ;  that 's  good ;" — these  scenes  make  one  of 
those  war-pictures  which  the  pen  has  no  power  to  sketch  even  in  out- 
line. The  next  day  we  loaded  two  ambulances  at  Nashville,  and  the 
day  after  a  detailed  army  wagon,  with  food  and  clothing,  and  gave 
these  men  their  first  change  of  clothing  since  the  battle  of  Franklin. 
When  a  full  force  of  Delegates  reached  Franklin,  Mr.  Ewing  and 
Mr.  McLeod  pushed  on,  to  do  the  same  work  with  a  less  number  of 
recaptured  men  at  Spring  Hill,  and  to  open  our  station  at  Columbia. 

Never  has  the  Commission  been  more  busy  or  more  useful  than  in 
these  closing  days  of  this  year.  The  thirty  workers  at  the  Delegates' 
Home  in  Nashville  caught  the  spirit  of  the  occasion,  and  proved 
themselves  to  be  just  such  men  as  the  Commission  seeks  to  send, — 
home  representatives.  No  father  or  brother  could  have  toiled  harder 
to  serve  and  comfort  loved  ones  than  did  those  Delegates  amid  these 
terrible  scenes.  To  minister  to  the  sufferers  in  the  hospitals  by  counsel 
and  prayer  and  personal  relief;  to  answer  by  mail  and  telegraph  the 


512  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

anxious  inquiries  of  friends  at  home,  who  had  not  yet  learned  whether 
the  official  report,  "1104  missing"  at  the  battle  of  Franklin,  in 
November,  meant  dead  or  captured  ;  to  write  letters  in  all  directions, 
some  for  soldiers  still  lingering,  and  some  to  carry  "last  words  ;" — 
all  this  gave  work  for  every  hand  and  heart,  and  made  every  Dele- 
gate feel  that  he  was  crowding  weeks  into  hours  and  months  into 
days.  Neither  have  we  labored  in  vain.  Medical  and  general  offi- 
cers have  called  to  thank  us  for  aid  to  their  men.  These  thanks, 
accompanied  sometimes  with  cash  donations, — and  especially  the 
donations  which  the  privates  are  continually  handing  in,  and  will 
not  be  refused  the  privilege  of  giving, — are  a  very  touching  testi- 
mony to  the  work  of  the  Commission,  by  those  who  knew  its  value 
from  actual  experience  and  observation.  I  enclose  a  letter  I  received 
a  few  days  since  from  an  officer  who  has  known  us  long  and  tho- 
roughly.1 

After  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  the  utter  defeat  of 
the  enemy,  apparently  but  little  campaign  work  of  the 
Commission  remained  to  be  done  in  this  army.  Rev. 
E.  P.  Smith,  the  General  Field  Agent,  was  transferred, 
in  February,  to  the  armies  operating  against  Richmond, 
and  in  the  month  following  he  was  called  to  Philadel- 
phia, as  Field  Secretary  of  the  Commission  at  the  Cen- 
tral Office.  Mr.  T.  R.  Ewing,  who  had  been  in  charge 
of  the  station  at  Nashville  during  the  year,  was  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Smith's  successor  in  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. The  remaining  work  of  the  Commission  in 
this  Department  may  therefore  be  best  described  in 

1  "  Please  find  enclosed  one  hundred  dollars.  It  is  my  Christmas  gift  to  our 
noble  army  and  navy.  I  only  wish  it  was  one  hundred  times  one  hundred. 
Twenty-eight  months  in  the  army  have  taught  me  the  various  needs  of  our  sol- 
diers, and  twenty  months  of  observation,  under  the  most  favorable  circum- 
stances, have  shown  me  how  the  Christian  Commission  is  accustomed  to 
meet  those  needs ;  and  I  but  express  a  continually  deepening  conviction  when 
I  say  that  the  adaptation,  efficiency,  and  economy  realized  seem  to  me  to  be 
truly  wonderful. 

"  Very  respectfully  and  truly  yours,  J.  C.  T." 


WORK    IN    THE    AEMY    OF   THE    CUMBERLAND.      513 

the   following   extracts   from   Mr.  Ewing's   report   for 
1865:- 

Nashville  has  continued  during  the  year,  as  heretofore,  our  most 
important  station  in  the  Department, — being  the  headquarters  of  the 
Commission  and  the  rendezvous  of  Delegates, — because  of  the  large 
number  of  troops  continually  in  and  around  the  city.  The  number 
of  government  employes  and  hospital  patients  and  soldiers  in  camp 
and  barracks  has  not  averaged  less  than  thirty  thousand. 

Government  has  continued  our  free  transportation  and  rent,  in- 
cluding the  commodious,  well-furnished  mansion  for  our  Home,  and 
ample  store-rooms  and  suitable  reading  and  writing-rooms  for  the 
soldiers.  From  first  to  last  we  have  received  only  kindness  from 
Major-General  Thomas  and  his  chief  of  staff,  General  Whipple. 
They  have  shown  a  personal  knowledge  of  and  interest  in  our  work 
which  we  hardly  expected  from  those  whose  minds  were  occupied 
with  so  great  responsibilities.  To  General  Donaldson,  Chief  Quarter, 
master,  and  Dr.  Wm.  Clendenin,  Medical  Director  at  Nashville,  we 
are  indebted  for  many  facilities  that  no  others  could  give,  and  with- 
out  which  our  work  would  have  been  often  hindered  and  greatly 
limited. 

It  is  difficult,  without  actual  observation,  to  appreciate  the  fear- 
fully demoralizing  influences  brought  to  bear  on  the  soldiers  by  a 
corrupt  city,  where  every  unholy  influence  of  gambling-hells  and 
doggeries  and  dens  of  prostitution  is  let  loose  on  men  away  from 
home  and  tempted  by  the  ennui  of  camp.  The  Commission,  by  its 
Delegates  and  stores,  did  its  utmost  to  counteract  these  destroying 
agencies,  and,  by  making  itself  as  far  as  possible  the  connecting  link 
between  the  soldier  and  his  home,  has  sought  to  restrain  and  save 
these  endangered  men.  Daily  prayer-meetings  have  been  maintained 
in  McKendree  Chapel,  in  several  hospitals,  in  Zollicoffer  Barracks, 
and  in  the  "  Lake  Forest  Tabernacle"  in  Edgefield.  Much  good  has 
been  accomplished  by  organizing  Christians  into  bands  of  brother- 
hood, by  which  they  were  brought  together,  strengthened  and  en- 
couraged. The  mention  of  the  work  at  Nashville  station  should  not 
close  without  referring  to  the  labors  of  Mrs.  E.  P.  Smith,  who  most 
efficiently  superintended  the  diet  kitchens  of  the  department;  made 
our  quarters  in  Nashville  a  real  home  to  all  connected  with  our  work ; 

65 


514  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

carried  delicacies  to  the  very  sick  or  badly  wounded,  and  distributed 
reading,  and  talked  of  Christ  to  "her  boys  in  blue"  wherever  she 
found  them.  Her  presence  and  attentions  brought  a  bright  ray  of 
home  light  to  many  a  "boy"  that  never  would  see  more  of  home  in 
this  world;  and  the  earnest  question,  from  hospital  cot  and  groups  of 
men  gathered  about  her  ambulance  in  the  camps,  "  When  will  you 
come  again?"  will  remain  with  her  a  more  affecting  and  valued  tri- 
bute than  any  that  can  be  written. 

Chattanooga  station,  surrounded  by  a  large  number  of  troops,  has 
been  to  the  Commission,  as  to  the  army,  the  second  army  base  to 
Knoxville  and  Dalton,  and  other  points  in  East  Tennessee  and 
Northern  Georgia.  Rev.  H.  M.  Holmes  continued  agent  in  charge 
until  assigned  to  the  Fourth  Corps,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
T.  S.  Stivers.  The  Soldiers'  Christian  League,  organized  after  the 
battle  of  Chattanooga,  has  been  in  most  successful  operation  during 
the  year.  In  the  almost  uninterrupted  series  of  nightly  meetings, 
the  quickening  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  have  come  down  upon 
sinful  souls,  bringing  very  many  men  into  Christ's  kingdom. 

From  the  station  at  Tullahoma  we  have  reached  from  ten  to  fifteen 
thousand  recruits  in  the  camp  of  instruction  under  Major-General 
Milroy.  Like  all  inexperienced  troops,  they  have  suffered  heavily 
from  sickness  and  death.  Our  timely  religious  and  relief  work 
among  them  was  most  cordially  welcomed  and  aided  by  General 
Milroy. 

The  commencement  of  1865  found  the  Fourth  Corps  still  in  pur- 
suit of  Hood's  command.  Turning  from  this  pursuit,  it  marched  to 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  in  February,  and  remained  until  the  middle  of 
March.  Having  suffered  greatly  in  the  winter's  campaign,  they  soon 
filled  the  post  and  field  hospitals,  and  hospital  delicacies  were  in 
urgent  demand.  Our  rooms  were  opened  about  the  middle  of 
January,  and  the  calls  upon  us  for  supplies,  unusually  pressing  from 
the  fact  that  no  other  organization  for  the  relief  of  soldiers  had  an 
agency  in  the  corps,  rendered  our  large  amount  of  stores  quite 
inadequate.  The  force  of  Delegates  was  also  much  smaller  than 
the  exigencies  required,  but  the  faithful  efforts  of  the  little  band  told 
powerfully  for  good.  We  furnished  the  corps  with  nine  chapel  roofs, 
and  under  these  and  in  the  Cumberland  church,  in  Huntsville,  reli- 
gious services  were  held  by  the  Delegates  and  chaplains.  In  the 


WORK    IN    THE   ARMY    OF    THE   CUMBERLAND.       515 

latter  part  of  February,  Rev.  H.  M.  Holmes  was  assigned  to  this 
corps,  and  marched  with  it  into  East  Tennessee,  to  intercept  the 
retreat  of  Lee  from  Richmond.  Wherever  a  halt  was  made  meet- 
ings were  held  and  with  good  results.  At  Greenville  rooms  were 
opened,  writing-tables  were  set  up, — soon  surrounded  by  soldiers. 
Two  churches  were  well  filled  each  night  with  hearty  worshippers. 
Chaplains  and  Delegates  united  in  the  work.  Many  cases  of  scurvy 
appeared  in  the  corps  at  Greenville.  Pickles  and  other  anti-scor- 
butics were  loudly  called  for.  The  swollen  streams  had  carried  off 
the  bridges,  and  the  "dirt  roads"  were  otherwise  in  their  worst 
winter  condition  ;  but  the  quartermaster  furnished  wagons,  and  Mr. 
Holmes,  pushing  through  his  supplies,  was  more  than  repaid  by  the 
grateful  acknowledgments  of  suffering  men.  No  one  can  know  the 
worth  of  a  pickled  cucumber  till  he  has  seen  it  devoured  by  a  sol- 
dier who  has  marched  for  weeks  on  hard-tack  and  pork.  By  the 
favor  of  the  chief  engineer  of  the  construction  corps,  a  car-load  of 
Commission  stores  was  brought  in  upon  the  first  train  that  entered 
the  town.  Just  as  we  were  ready  to  repeat  this  supply  the  corps 
moved  back  by  rail  to  Nashville,  and  went  into  camp  about  five 
miles  from  the  city.  A  station  was  established  near  the  centre  of 
each  division,  and  three  Delegates  assigned  to  a  station.  Each  Dele- 
gate ministered  to  all  the  regiments  of  a  brigade  that  were  destitute 
of  chaplains, — some  to  five,  none  to  less  than  three.  Night  and  day 
services  were  held  in  the  chapels  at  the  stations,  under  the  chapel 
roofs,  and  in  the  open  air  among  the  regiments.  Never  was  a  wider 
door  opened,  and  seldom  has  a  golden  opportunity  been  more  heartily 
embraced.  The  departure  of  the  corps  for  Texas  interrupted  this 
delightful  work. 

Rev.  Hugh  McLeod  followed  with  the  Twenty-third  Corps,  when 
General  Thomas  drove  the  remnant  of  the  rebel  army  across  the 
Tennessee  river.  The  weather  was  cold  and  wet,  and  there  was  much 
to  be  done  for  the  relief  of  the  sick  and  weary,  constantly  falling 
out  by  the  way.  A  car-load  of  vegetables,  pushed  through  on  the 
first  opening  of  the  road,  was  a  priceless  gift  to  the  troops  at  Colum- 
bia. At  Clifton  the  Twenty-third  Corps  was  ordered  to  North  Caro- 
lina, to  join  General  Sherman.  Mr.  McLeod,  who  had  constantly 
been  with  these  troops  since  the  commencement  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  reluctantly  left  them  to  join  the  Sixteenth  Corps  at  East- 


516  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

port,  Mississippi.  Here  a  number  of  Delegates  were  at  work,  under 
direction  of  Chaplain  Armstrong,  for  the  men  of  the  Sixteenth  and 
for  the  cavalry  corps  close  at  hand.  There  were  no  buildings,  and 
the  Aveather  was  extremely  severe,  but  Major-General  A.  J.  Smith 
generously  gave  the  Commission  his  he'adquarters'  boat,  and  pitched 
his  tent  on  shore.  Through  this  act  of  kindness  the  stores  of  the 
Commission  were  protected,  and  the  Delegates  made  much  more 
comfortable  and  efficient  in  their  work.  A  large  shipment  was  made 
to  Eastport,  but  before  its  arrival  the  Sixteenth  was  aboard  trans- 
ports under  orders  for  Mobile.  At  the  personal  solicitation  of 
General  Smith,  the  goods  marked  for  Eastport  were  transferred  at 
Paducah  to  one  of  his  transports,  and,  with  the  agent,  taken  along 
to  New  Orleans  and  then  to  Dauphin  Island.  Here  Mr.  McLeod, 
with  his  canvas  covers,  erected  a  chapel  fifty  by  twenty-five  feet,  as 
he  had  done  during  the  stay  at  New  Orleans.  The  government  saw- 
mill furnished  seats,  and  the  wreck  of  a  vessel  on  the  beach  contri- 
buted material  for  a  pulpit.  The  willing  soldiers  closed  the  pulpit 
end  of  the  sanctuary  with  small  trees  from  the  swamps.  The  lan- 
terns from  the  ambulances,  added  to  those  of  the  Commission,  lighted 
the  church  at  night,  in  spite  of  the  ever  fresh  sea-breezes.  Earnest 
men  filled  the  tent  at  the  first  meeting.  The  marked  interest  that 
began  at  New  Orleans  at  once  manifested  itself,  and  continued  to 
deepen  and  widen  during  the  two  weeks'  stay  on  the  island.  Could 
our  tent  have  held  six  thousand,  instead  of  six  hundred,  it  would  cer- 
tainly have  been  filled.  Soldiers  would  say :  "  Chaplain,  we  can't 
get  in  your  tent.  We  have  come,  and  come,  and  we  can't  get  near 
your  tent  for  the  crowd  outside.  We  must  have  meetings  in  our 
regiments ;  can  you  give  us  hymn  books?"  "  Certainly,  and  all  other 
possible  help."  Thus  various  other  meetings  were  commenced.  There 
seemed  to  be  but  few  indifferent  soldiers  on  the  island.  Five  chap- 
lains gave  constant  and  most  valuable  aid.  Orders  to  move  were 
received  late  on  Saturday  night,  and  the  next  morning  we  were  on 
the  march.  It  was  hard  to  leave  the  barren  island. 

During  the  investment  of  the  strong  forts  defending  Mobile,  the 
work  of  the  Commission  was  limited,  to  a  great  extent,  to  the  divi- 
sion hospitals  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps;  but  the  revival  spirit  con- 
tinued in  many  regiments.  A  large  and  well-assorted  shipment  was 
received  from  Cincinnati.  Two  weeks  in  the  trenches  without  rest, 


WORK    IN   THE   ARMY   OF   THE   CUMBERLAND.      517 

and  with  but  little  apparent  progress,  had  created  a  depression  and 
a  pressing  general  need.  Chaplains  united  with  us  in  distributing 
the  goods.  The  suffering  were  tenderly  cared  for,  and  the  dead  given 
a  Christian  burial.  Three  weeks  of  siege  passed,  and  Mobile  was 
ours.  Again  marching  orders  were  received.  Transportation  was 
cut  down  by  stringent  orders  to  the  lowest  practicable  point,  but  a 
six-mule  team  was  cheerfully  furnished  to  haul  Christian  Commission 
stores.  From  this  wagon,  all  along  the  two  hundred  miles  to  Mont- 
gomery, delicacies  were  issued  as  the  sick  required.  About  noon,  on 
the  fourteenth  day  after  leaving  Fort  Blakely,  we  saw  the  city  Gene- 
ral Smith  designed  capturing,  but  General  Wilson  had  anticipated 
him,  and  we  had  a  peaceful  entrance,  and  thanked  God  for  it.  Chap- 
lain Armstrong  arrived  with  another  large  and  valuable  assortment 
of  stores  from  Cincinnati.  It  was  most  opportune.  The  sick  of  the 
Sixteenth,  and  several  hundred  wounded  of  General  Wilson's  corps, 
greatly  needed  stimulants,  cordials,  delicacies,  clothing,  pads,  and 
rags.  No  article  of  that  excellent  shipment  came  amiss  in  the  seven 
hospitals  at  Montgomery.  From  7  A.  M.  to  4  P.  M.  the  soldiers  from 
the  regiments  filled  our  large  rooms.  At  11 J  A.M.  the  prayer-meet- 
ing began,  the  soldiers  readily  dropping  their  pens  and  heartily  join- 
ing in  praise  and  prayer.  They  thanked  God  for  home,  country, 
peace,  and  the  tokens  of  kindness  they  received  from  home  through 
the  Commission.  These  gifts  from  home  were  indeed  means  of 
grace,  among  which  the  single  article  of  paper  and  envelopes  for 
forty  thousand  home  letters  was  not  the  least. 


It  would  swell  these  Annals  beyond  reasonable  limits 
to  give  in  detail  the  operations  of  the  Commission  upon 
all  the  fields  of  the  war.  The  work  in  the  Valley  of 
the  Shenandoah,  along  the  line  of  the  Mississippi,  in 
the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Squadrons,  in  Texas,  and  on  the 
Western  Plains,  as  well  as  at  various  central  points 
throughout  the  country,  would  furnish  narratives  as  full 
of  interest  as  those  which  have  now  been  given,  and  as 


518  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

well  worthy  of  preservation.  But  as  this  detailed  ac- 
count of  all  is  impossible,  it  has  seemed  most  satisfactory, 
for  a  clear  exhibition  of  the  spirit,  method,  and  achieve- 
ments of  the  Commission,  to  give  a  somewhat  minute 
and  representative  record  of  what  was  done  in  the  prin- 
cipal Eastern  and  Western  armies,  rather  than  attempt 
a  more  comprehensive  and  less  distinct  survey  of  the 
entire  field. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

CONTRIBUTIONS. 

THE  several  statistical  tables,  given  in  other  chapters 
of  these  Annals,  show  the  annual  increase  and  ultimate 
extent  of  the  work  of  the  Christian  Commission.  This 
chapter  is  designed  to  indicate  briefly  the  sources  whence 
the  cash  contributions  for  this  work  were  received,  and 
the  methods  by  which  they  were  raised.  The  increase 
in  receipts  was  constant  and  rapid.  For  the  first  eight 
months  of  the  Commission's  history  the  receipts  at  the 
central  treasury  were  $1,196.51, — a  monthly  average  of 
less  than  $150;  for  the  last  four  months  they  were  $234,- 
119.46,— a  monthly  average  of  nearly  $60,000,— show- 
ing an  increase  of  nearly  four  hundred  fold.  Of  course 
the  rate  of  growth  for  the  whole  period  was  much  be- 
low this,  but  the  gross  receipts  for  the  last  four  months 
($2,053,341.69)  as  compared  with  the  same  for  the  first 
fourteen  months1  ($182,310.29),  shows  an  increase  in 
the  monthly  average  of  more  than  thirty-seven  fold. 
And  the  work  of  collection  was  much  easier  at  the  end 
than  at  the  beginning.  The  small  cost  of  gathering  the 
Commission's  supplies  must  in  part  be  attributed  to  the 
great  facilities  freely  afforded  by  transportation  and  tele- 

1  The  first  financial  report  published  included  the  time  from  the  origin  of  the 
Commission,  Nov.  16,  1861,  to  the  close  of  January,  1862. 

519 


520  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

graph  companies,  and  by  the  newspaper  press,  and  in 
part  to  the  gratuitous  services  of  officers,  agents  and 
Delegates;  but  it  is  much  more  largely  due  to  the  readi- 
ness of  the  people  to  give, — asking  oftentimes  for  the 
privilege,  instead  of  waiting  to  be  called  upon.  The 
principal  reason  for  this  must  be  found  in  their  own  in- 
terest in  the  work  of  relieving  and  aiding  the  army,  and 
their  conviction  that  the  Christian  Commission  was  doing 
that  work  well.  And  if  the  ground  of  this  conviction 
be  asked  for,  the  obvious  reply  is  that  the  thousands  of 
well-known  men  who  went  as  Delegates  to  the  army, 
from  all  parts  of  the  country,  testified  as  to  what  they 
saw  and  heard,  and  the  tens  of  thousands  of  soldiers 
confirmed  the  testimony  by  writing  to  their  homes  the 
story  of  what  was  continually  done  for  them.1 

It  is  hence  instructive  to  notice  that  almost  the  whole 
of  the  great  sum  contributed  was  the  free-will  offering 
of  the  Christian  public,  upon  the  simple  merits  of  the 
case.  The  Commission  did  not  encourage,  the  use  of 
fairs  and  other  similar  expedients  for  raising  money.  A 
few  fairs2  were  held  by  friends  of  the  Commission  upon 
their  own  responsibility ;  but  while  these  were  reasonably 
successful,  they  furnished  a  very  small  proportion  of  the 

1  The  following  note,  a  specimen  of  many,  was  sent  to  Mr.  Stuart,  during  a 
meeting  in  the  City  Hall,  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  November,  1863:  "Please  state, 
if  you  see  fit,  that  at  least  one  soldier  present  owes  his  life,  in  a  large  measure,  to 
the  kindness  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  a  time  of  need ;  and  that  the  only 
sermon  which  he  heard,  during  a  connection  of  nearly  four  months  with  the  Am- 
bulance Corps,  was  from  a  gentleman  connected  with  the  Commission. 

"GRATITUDE." 

2  The  principal  of  these  were  in  San  Francisco,  yielding  to  the  Commission 
$54,000;  Sacramento,  $22,600;  Buffalo,  $21,000;  Baltimore,  $40,000;  Chicago, 
$50,000,  and  Washington,  $13,000.     The  three  last  were  joint  fairs,  the  profits 
being  divided  between  the  Christian  Commission  and  other  institutions.     They 
were  all  held  in  1864,  except  that  at  Chicago,  which  was  in  the  spring  of  1865. 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  521 

gross  receipts, — not  more  than  $250,000.  More  than 
two  millions  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  cash  were 
therefore  given  to  the  Commission,  during  the  four  years 
of  its  history,  by  public  and  private  contributions,  with- 
out any  motive  but  such  as  was  drawn  from  the  work 
itself.  It  is  believed  that  this  fact  is  without  a  parallel 
in  the  annals  of  popular  benevolence.1  And  it  shows 
also  that  the  Christian  Commission  was  pre-eminently 
a  popular  institution.  Without  elaborate  methods  or 
complicated  machinery,  it  sought  to  transfer  the  gifts  of 
the  people,  with  the  least  delay  and  waste,  to  those  for 
whom  they  were  given.  It  kept  no  reserve  funds,  but, 
regarding  itself  as  simply  the  agent  of  the  Christian 
public  for  a  specific  purpose,  it  depended  upon  the  gene- 
rosity and  promptness  of  the  people  for  the  needs  of 
each  hour,  and  held  itself  ready  to  retire  as  soon  as  its 
work  was  done.  The  small  balance  in  the  treasury  at 

1  It  may  be  thought  that  the  United  States  Sanitary  Commission,  whose  receipts 
were  so  much  larger  than  those  of  the  Christian  Commission,  furnishes  an  excep- 
tion to  the  above  statement.  The  subjoined  analysis  of  the  cash  receipts  of  the 
Sanitary  Commission,  as  given  in  its  official  history,  is  not  intended  as  a  criticism 
upon  that  excellent  and  praiseworthy  society,  but  is  here  presented  as  confirming 
the  claim  made  for  the  Christian  Commission,  and  as  an  incidental  illustration 
of  its  peculiar  character  and  method.  Rev.  Dr.  Bellows,  President  of  the  Sani- 
tary Commission,  makes  a  similar  analysis  of  its  receipts  upon  pages  241  and  242 
of  the  History.  For  the  figures  here  given  see  pages  539-548. 

Total  cash  Eeceipts  by  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission $4,924,048.99 

Received  from  Pacific  Coast $1,448,552.44 

"          "     Foreign  Countries 120,607.58 

"     the  Sanitary  Fairs 2,730,868.84 

"          "     Interest  on   U.  S.  Certificates  and 

Deposits 42,849.49 

"     Sanitary  Bulletin 2,351.80 

"     Sales  of  Stock,  etc 72,298.07=  4,423,528.22 

Leaving,  "as  the  total  amount  contributed  in  cash 
by  all  other  sources,  of  a  spontaneous  kind" S."ino..v_>M.77 


522  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  close  of  its  labors  was  due  to  the  suddenness  and 
bloodlessness  of  the  victories  which  terminated  the  war, 
rather  than  to  any  design  on  the  part  of  the  Commis- 
sion. Had  the  battles  been  fought  which  seemed  immi- 
nent when  Richmond  fell,  the  Commission  would  probably 
have  been  as  penniless  at  the  close  of  its  history  as  at  its 
beginning. 

PUBLIC  COLLECTIONS. — The  main  dependence  of  the 
Commission  for  funds  was  upon  public  collections  in  the 
churches  and  at  special  meetings.  The  single  aim,  in 
all  appeals  and  presentations  of  the  subject  through  the 
press1  and  in  public  addresses,  was  to  place  the  responsi- 
bility of  maintaining  the  work  upon  the  churches.  An 
opportunity  was  presented  of  evangelizing  the  army  and 
aiding  in  its  temporal  relief;  the  opportunity  and  duty 
belonged  to  the  Church.  The  Christian  Commission 
promised  to  do  just  what  the  Church  enabled  it  to  do. 
It  could  promise  no  more ;  it  pledged  itself  to  do  no  less. 
And  the  appeal  on  this  ground  never  failed.  It  was 
proven  many  times  over  that,  with  a  clear  understand- 
ing of  the  case,  the  Church  is  ready  to  do  her  duty. 
Hence  the  numerous  public  meetings  that  were  held,  at 
every  stage  of  the  work,  in  every  part  of  the  country, 
with  collections  varying  from  a  few  dollars  to  many 

1  The  Commission  did  not  publish  an  organ.  It  was  at  one  time  proposed  to 
do  so,  but  after  thoroughly  discussing  the  matter  it  was  determined  to  rely  upon 
the  religious  and  secular  press  for  the  publicity  of  plans  and  operations.  For  a 
short  time, — less  than  a  year, — a  monthly  circular  was  issued,  entitled  "Informa- 
tion for  Army  Meetings,"  and  designed  mainly  to  meet  the  wants  of  those 
churches  that  set  apart  the  fourth  Sunday  evening  in  each  month  for  a  special 
service  of  prayer  in  behalf  of  the  army.  This  circular  was  composed  of  recent 
facts  and  incidents,  and  a  statement  of  the  needs  of  the  Commission.  The  Sun- 
day-School Times,  more  largely  than  any  other  paper,  published  the  doings  of 
the  Commission,  and  gave  full  reports  of  its  principal  public  meetings. 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  523 

thousands.  Returned  Delegates,  pastors,  home  commit- 
tees and  special  agents  were  alike  engaged  in  these  meet- 
ings. The  press  was  always  ready  with  its  co-operation. 
Some  incidents  are  particularly  noteworthy.  In  the  city 
of  New  York,  on  one  occasion,  "it  was  proposed  to  hold 
a  public  meeting  in  the  Academy  of  Music,  not  so  much 
for  the  purpose  of  calling  attention  to  any  particular 
claims  which  were  specially  urgent,  as  to  submit  state- 
ments with  regard  to  the  general  operations  of  the  Com- 
mission. The  speakers  were  engaged,  and  the  arrange- 
ments were  all  completed.  But  when  the  evening  came 
the  whole  country  was  in  a  blaze  of  excitement.  The 
memorable  campaign  of  the  spring  of  1864  had  opened, 
and  the  fearful  'battles  of  the  Wilderness'  were  in  pro- 
gress. The  Academy  was  thronged  by  a  vast  multitude. 
The  speakers  appealed  in  behalf  of  the  thousands  of 
bleeding,  suffering,  dying  men.  The  memories  of  An- 
tietam,  of  Fredericksburg,  of  Chancellorsville,  and  of 
Gettysburg  were  recalled.  It  was  a  scene  never  to  be 
forgotten.  A  collection  was  taken  up  amounting  to 
twenty-six  thousand  dollars, — the  largest  plate  collection 
probably  ever  taken  in  this  country.  It  was  soon  in- 
creased to  thirty-five  thousand."1  Again,  in  the  same 
city,  "during  the  last  campaign,  while  the  final  struggle 
was  going  on,  there  was  an  urgent  call  for  a  large  amount 
of  means.  There  was  no  time  for  a  public  meeting.  On 
Friday  a  brief  appeal  was  drawn  up.  On  Saturday  it 
was  sent  to  the  clergy  of  the  city,  with  the  request  that, 
if  practicable,  it  be  read  in  their  churches  the  next  day. 
This  was  done  by  many  of  the  clergy,  and  the  result  was 
remarkable.  At  one  of  the  churches  it  was  the  occasion 

i  Memorial  Record  of  the  New  York  Branch,  page  25. 


524  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

of  their  annual  missionary  collection ;  the  clergyman  was 
at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  do.  He  read  the  appeal, — he 
paused, — but  finally  determined  to  take  up  a  collection 
at  once  for  this  object.  This  was  done  before  the  ser- 
mon; after  the  sermon  the  regular  collection  was  taken. 
The  former  amounted  to  over  one  thousand  dollars,  and 
the  latter  was  fully  equal  to  what  it  ever  had  been.  At 
another  church  the  appeal  was  read,  and  an  impromptu 
collection  was  taken,  amounting  to  twenty-five  hundred 
dollars.  The  clergyman  at  another  church  read  the  ap- 
peal, and  asked  his  people  to  send  him  in  what  they 
could;  the  response  was  nearly  two  thousand  dollars."1 

In  Philadelphia,  the  central  seat  of  the  Commission, 
the  public  meetings  were  more  numerous  than  else- 
where, and  were  a  source  of  constant  revenue.  At  a 
meeting  in  the  Church  of  the  Epiphany,  in  May, 
1864,  the  collection  and  attendant  subscriptions  reached 
$50,000.  Others  were  only  less  remarkable  than  this. 
The  Commission  was  not  without  honor  and  support  at 
home. 

At  Pitteburg,  in  May,  1864,  at  a  public  meeting,  the 
collection  was  $22,000,  and  was  increased  the  next  day 
to  $45,000.  Similar  incidents  might  be  recorded  of 
other  cities  East  and  West. 

But  not  in  the  cities  alone  were  these  exhibitions  of 
benevolence  given.  The  towns  and  villages  were  not 
behind.  Curwensville,  Clearfield  county,  Pa.,  by  the 
census  of  1860,  numbered  455  souls.  At  a  meeting  on 
Thanksgiving  Day,  in  November,  1863,  attended  by  150 
persons,  and  addressed  by  the  Methodist  minister,  a 
collection  was  taken  for  the  Commission  amounting  to 

1  Memorial  Record,  pp.  25,  26. 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  525 

$600 ;  in  the  following  May  the  above  minister  was 
going  to  the  army  as  a  Delegate,  when  another  meeting 
was  held,  addressed  by  one  who  had  recently  returned 
from  the  field,  and  the  receipts  were  $857.25;  two 
months  later  a  resident  in  the  same  village  sent  $1,000 
to  the  treasury ;  in  addition  to  this,  there  were  other 
contributions  of  money  and  stores. 

Morgan  county,  Illinois,  is  a  farming  district.  The 
total  population  in  1860  was  22,112.  Its  largest  town 
contained  less  than  6,000  persons,  and  the  second  in  size 
less  than  2,000.  In  the  summer  of  1864,  upon  an 
appeal  from  Rev.  Mr.  McCabe  and  Mr.  Reynolds,  Mr. 
Jacob  Strawn,  the  wealthiest  farmer  in  the  county,  gave 
$500  for  the  Commission,  and  offered  to  make  it 
$10,000,  on  condition  that  the  other  farmers  of  the 
county  should  give  a  like  sum.  The  proposition  was 
accepted,  the  county  canvassed  by  meetings  held  in 
churches,  school-houses,  and  groves, — arranged  by  Mr. 
M.  P.  Ayers,  of  Jacksonville,  and  addressed  by  Messrs. 
Reynolds  and  McCabe.  In  nine  days  eleven  meetings 
were  held,  and  $10,700  collected;  $2,000  more  were 
raised  at  Jacksonville, — making  in  all  $22,700  from 
one  county  in  a  few  days, — over  $1  for  each  inhabitant. 

San  Joaquin  county,  California,  contained  in  1860  a 
population  of  9,435, — its  largest  town,  Stockton,  contain- 
ing 3,679.  In  July,  1864,  the  county  gave  to  the  Com- 
mission a  little  less  than  $10,000. 

Public  collections  were  taken  in  the  churches  on 
several  of  the  Fast  and  Thanksgiving  Days  which  were 
observed  during  the  war.  The  receipts  from  Thanks- 
giving collections  in  November,  1863,  were  $83,400. 

SPECIAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. — Exigencies  in  the  opera- 


•526  AS^AiS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 


of  the  Commission  were  sometimes  met  by  public 
appeals  for  immediate  kelp.  The  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
in  1863,  the  battles  of  the  "  Wilderness,"  in  18&4?  and 
the  capture  of  Richmond,  in  1805,  famish  examples. 
As  the  Commission  kept  no  reserved  funds,  such  sudden 
enlargement  of  their  work  demanded  an  almost  instan- 
teBHMB  supply  of  means.  It  has  been  already  told  how 
Boston,  on  the  three  occasions  named,  responded,  at 
their  Merchants'  Exchange,  to  the  daily  Tisits  of  the 
representatives.1  Other  cities  made  like 
In  the  last  instance, — the  fall  of  Rich- 
mond,— in  anticipation  of  severe  engagements  and  much 
suffering,  the  needs  of  the  Commission  were  carried  be- 
ftre  extemporized  gatherings  of  the  people,  into  the 
Boards  of  Trade,  and  to  the  prominent  places  of  busi- 
ness. As  the  glad  tidings,  that  the  rebel  capital  had 
fallen,  spread  through  the  Xorth  with  the  speed  of 
lightning,  it  kindled  everywhere  the  wildest  enthusiasm. 
Easiness  was  abandoned,  the  excited  multitudes  thronged 
the  streets,  and  gratitude  for  the  prospect  of  peace  was 
pervaded  with  excitant  praise  of  the  victorioos  army. 
It  was  easy  to  direct  these  powerful  emotions  toward  a 
practical  and  substantial  assurance  that  the  soldiers 
ttwesatks  were  remembered  not  less  than  his  valor,  in 
the  hour  of  a  nation's  triumph  and  exultation.  As  a 
result,  New  York  sent  $50,000  to  the  treasury ;  Breton 
and  Phikdelphia,  cadi  $30,000;  Phtsburg",  $10,000 
(having  sent  $15,GOO  a  short  time  before) ;  San  Fran- 
cisco, $10,000;  and  many  other  places  in  proportion. 
The  receipts  within  <me  week  were  $150,000. 

In  July,  1863,  at  Saratoga  Springs,  when  the  hotels 


527 

were  fall  of  guests,  an  appeal  for  ice,  from  the  soldiers 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Charleston,  was  presented  at  the 
dinner  tables  of  that  fashionable  watering-place.  Over 
83,000  were  speedily  subscribed,  and  a  cargo  of  ice,  with 
other  timely  stores,  was  soon  forwarded  to  the  needy 
sufferers.1 

Under  this  head  may  be  also  placed  the  contributions 
of  persons  and  associations  whose  positions,  or  the 
circumstances  under  which  they  contributed,  gave  to 
their  offerings  peculiar  value  and  influence.  Such  were 
the  donations  received  from  members  of  the  National, 
State,  and  municipal  governments.  President  Lincoln 
more  than  once  expressed  his  confidence  in  the  Com- 
mission, not  only  by  official  favors,  but  also  by  personal 
contributions,  given  with  characteristic  quietness  and 

1  A  writer  in  the  S*»day-Sdu>ol  Times,  for  August  27,1863,  tells  how  the 
money  wa?  raised  at  Saratoga :  "  The  question  arose.  How  shall  we  get  at  these 
people  and  gain  a  hearing?  Mr.  Stuart  said,  'The  only  time  when  they  are 
all  together  is  at  the  dinner  table.  I  will  make  a  speech  of  just  one  minute  at 
the  dinner.'  '  But  in  the  infinite  clatter  of  plates,  the  noise  of  waiters  running 
to  and  fro,  the  clamor  of  conversation,  and  the  general  melee  of  a  thousand 
hungry  people  scrambling  for  their  dinner,  you  cannot  get  a  hearing.  It  is 
impossible.'  '  Let  me  try.'  '  Agreed.'  So  when  dinner  had  advanced  about 
one-third  of  its  course,  a  concerted  noise  of  rapping  was  heard  in  different  parts 
of  the  room,  and  instantly,  over  all  the  din,  a  clarion  voice  was  heard  uttering 
these  words :  '  I kme  *t**  frvm  Ciarfesfcrn/'  Had  a  ball  from  one  of  Gilmore's 
100  Furoters  struck  the  house,  the  effect  could  not  have  been  more  instan- 
taneous. Every  knife  and  fork  dropped ;  every  eye  was  turned  to  the  speaker. 
The  falling  of  a  pin  could  have  been  almost  heard.  With  a  tender  solemnity 
of  manner  that  showed  how  his  whole  soul  was  wound  np  in  the  cause,  and  at 
the  same  time  with  a  smile  of  indescribable  sweetness  that  begged  and  gained 
in  advance  forgiveness  for  the  petty  rose  which  had  keen  practised,  he  said: 
'  I  have  a  despatch  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Hilton  Head,  saying;  "  J%r 
G«f*  mfe,  «*<*«*  tee/or  our  wmtmded  totdicn!"  Will  the  boarders  at  Saratoga 
respond  T  '  We  will !  We  rill !  WE  WILL  ! '  was  shouted  from  every  part  of  th« 
immense  hall.  And  they  did.  In  leas  than  twenty-four  hoars  a  parse  of 
$3,200  was  made  up,  and  the  ice  was  soon  on  its  war  fro.  Bottom.' 


528  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

modesty.1  Members  of  the  Cabinet  and  of  Congress, 
together  with  many  high  officials  in  both  the  civil  and 
military  service,  imitated  their  chief.  The  National 
House  of  Representatives  granted  the  use  of  their  Hall 
for  each  of  the  Commission's  four  anniversaries.  Hon. 
Schuyler  Colfax,  Speaker  of  the  House,  besides  other 
contributions,  sent  to  the  Commission  the  profits  of  a 
public  lecture,  and  employed  a  part  of  the  recesses  of 
Congress  in  addressing  public  meetings  held  for  the 
Commission  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  home.  Others 
in  similar  positions  exerted  similar  influence.  The 
heads  of  the  departments  at  times  received  from 
Americans  abroad,  or  from  subordinates  at  home,  con- 

1  The  following  incident  is  quoted  from  Mr.  Carpenter's  Six  Months  at  the 
White  House,  p.  161:  — "About  this  period  [early  in  the  summer  of  1864], 
numerous  delegations  from  various  religious  bodies  and  associations  thronged 
the  White  House.  Among  the  number  none  met  so  cordial  reception  as  that 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  composed  of  volunteer  clergymen  who  had  just 
returned  from  the  Wilderness  battle-ground.  In  the  brief  address  by  the  chair- 
man of  the  occasion,  he  stated  that  the  group  before  the  President  embraced 
those  who  had  been  first  on  the  field  to  offer  aid  and  refreshments  to  the 
wounded  of  that  terrible  series  of  battles.  In  reply  Mr.  Lincoln  expressed  his 
appreciation  of  the  self-denying  services  rendered  by  the  Commission,  in  feel- 
ing terms.  He  concluded  his  response  in  these  words :  '  And  I  desire  also  to 
add  to  what  I  have  said,  that  there  is  one  association  whose  objects  and  motives 
I  have  never  heard  in  any  degree  impugned  or  questioned ;  and  that  is  the 
Christian  Commission.  And  in  "these  days  of  villainy,"  as  Shakspeare  says, 
that  is  a  record,  gentlemen,  of  which  you  may  justly  be  proud.'  Upon  the 
conclusion  of  the  '  ceremony,'  he  added,  in  a  conversational  tone,  '  I  believe, 
however,  it  is  old  Jack  Falstaff  who  talks  about  "  villainy,"  though  of  course 
Shakspeare  is  responsible.'  After  the  customary  hand-shaking  which  followed, 
several  gentlemen  came  forward  and  asked  the  President  for  his  autograph. 
One  of  them  gave  his  name  as  '  Cruikshank.'  '  That  reminds  me,'  said  Mr. 
Lincoln,  '  of  what  I  used  to  be  called  when  a  young  man, — "  longshanks." ' 
Hereupon  the  rest  of  the  party,  emboldened  by  the  success  of  the  few,  crowded 
around  the  desk,  and  the  President  good-naturedly  wrote  his  name  for  each ;  — 
the  scene  suggesting  forcibly  to  my  mind  a  country  schoolmaster's  weekly  dis- 
tribution of  tickets  among  his  pupils." 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  529 

tributions  for  the  relief  of  the  army,  and  in  several 
instances  these  contributions  were  forwarded  to  the 
Christian  Commission. 

The  Electoral  College  of  Pennsylvania,  when  it  met 
in  1864  to  cast  its  vote  for  President  and  Vice-President 
of  the  United  States,  voted  to  give  the  pay  and  mileage 
of  its  members  to  the  Christian  Commission.1  The 
members  of  many  of  the  State  governments  gave  the 
Commission's  treasury  the  benefit  of  their  example  and 
advocacy. 

The  City  Council  of  Baltimore,  having  voted  a  salute 
of  one  hundred  and  forty  guns  for  the  4th  of  July, 
1863,  afterward  reconsidered  their  action,  and  voted  that 
the  amount  so  appropriated,  with  $500  additional,  should 

1  Hon.  Morton  McMichael,  President  of  the  Electoral  College,  communicated 
its  action  in  the  following  letter :  — 

"December,  1864. 

"  Dear  Sir:  At  the  recent  session  of  the  Electoral  College  of  Pennsylvania,  it 
was  unanimously  resolved  that  the  pay  and  mileage  of  the  members  should  be 
appropriated  to  the  Christian  Commission,  and  as  President  of  the  body  I  was 
directed  to  hand  the  amount  to  you.  Accordingly,  I  enclose  to  you  the  order  of 
the  State  Treasurer  for  $594 ;  a  warrant  from  the  United  States  Treasury  for 
$62.50 ;  and  the  check  of  C.  M.  Runk,  Esq.,  for  $21 ;  the  latter  being  an  addi- 
tional contribution. 

"In  making  this  appropriation,  the  College  intended,  beyond  the  mere  dona- 
tion of  the  money,  to  mark  the  high  sense  which,  in  its  judgment,  is  enter- 
tained in  all  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  of  the  invaluable  services  which  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  have  rendered  to  the  country.  Coming,  as  its  members  did, 
from  every  congressional  district  in  the  State,  and  assembled,  as  they  were,  for 
the  performance  of  a  most  solemn  and  important  public  duty,  it  was  further 
hoped  and  believed  that  the  action  of  the  College  in  this  respect,  both  as  a 
tribute  and  a  testimonial,  might  aid  in  promoting  the  great  objects  for  which 
the  Commission  has  labored  with  such  unselfish  zeal,  such  untiring  earnestness, 
and  such  distinguished  success. 

"  With  assurances  of  personal  regard,  I  am,  dear  sir, 
"  Very  truly,  your  friend, 

"MORTON  McMicHAEU 
"  To  GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  C.  C." 
67 


530  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

be  sent  to  the  Christian  Commission.  They  thought 
this  a  better  way  of  commemorating  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  and  the  fresh  victory  of  Gettysburg.  At 
the  same  time  the  city  of  Bangor,  Maine,  sent  through 
their  Mayor  a  check  for  $700.  In  May,  1864,  the 
Mayor  of  Newport,  K.  I.,  seeing  the  Commission's  ap- 
peal for  help,  at  once  requested  the  city  pastors  to  take 
collections  in  their  congregations,  and  himself  became 
the  agent  for  forwarding  the  sums  contributed. 

Frequent  reference  has  already  been  made  to  the 
grant  of  their  facilities  to  the  Commission  by  the  great 
transportation  and  telegraphic  corporations  of  the  coun- 
try. These  grants  were  worth  more  than  their  cash 
value,  for,  in  addition  to  the  influence  of  such  action  on 
the  part  of  the  companies,  many  thousands  of  dollars' 
worth  of  stores  were  forwarded  which  would  never  have 
been  shipped  if  full  freight  had  been  required.  Many 
of  the  officers  of  these  corporations  were  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Commission's  local  committees  or  contribu- 
tors to  its  funds.  In  some  cases  the  corporate  bodies,  as 
such,  gave  liberal  donations.  The  Pennsylvania  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  which  constantly  gave  the  use  of  its  entire 
line  for  the  passage  of  Delegates  and  stores,  contributed 
at  one  time  $5,000.  Several  of  the  large  banking  and 
insurance  companies,  in  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and 
elsewhere,  were  generous  contributors.  Prominent  busi- 
ness houses,  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  dealing  in  stores 
that  could  readily  be  used  in  the  Commission's  work  or 
converted  into  cash,  made  donations  from  their  stock  or 
sold  to  the  Commission  at  the  cost  price.  In  some  cases 
the  dealer  gave  to  the  Commission  a  certain  proportion 
of  his  profits  for  a  limited  period.  The  employes  in 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  531 

manufacturing  and  mercantile  establishments  frequently 
clubbed  together  to  make  up  a  purse  for  the  Com- 
mission. 

The  Commission  sent  no  agents  to  foreign  countries, 
and  made  no  appeal  except  to  the  fellow-citizens  of 
those  who  were  fighting  for  the  nation's  life.  And  yet 
considerable  sums  found  their  way  into  the  treasury 
from  abroad,  for  the  story  of  what  was  being  done  went 
everywhere.  Americans  and  friends  of  America  in 
Canada,  England,1  the  Continent  of  Europe,  Asia,  South 

1  The  thoughtful  offering  of  Mrs.  Sorby,  an  American  lady  resident  in  Eng- 
land, has  already  been  recorded,  on  p.  282.  The  following  letter  from  the 
venerable  Scotch  missionary,  Rev.  Dr.  Duff,  shows  the  considerateness  of 
foreign  friends.  It  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Thomas  Nelson,  the  Edinburgh  pub- 
lisher,—  both  gentlemen  being  personal  friends  of  Mr.  Stuart,  and  active  in 
their  interest  for  the  Commission  :  — 

"  EDINBURGH,  March  7,  1865. 

"Assuredly  no  words  of  mine  are  needed  to  commend  that  truly  marvellous 
missionary  enterprise,  The  United  States  Christian  Commission.  The  simple, 
heart-thrilling  record  of  its  scope,  object,  and  actual  proceedings,  is  its  beet 
recommendation.  Having  been  in  America,  I  know  well  that,  beneath  the 
apparently  tumultuous  surface  of  society  in  that  great  land,  there  are  thousands 
and  tens  of  thousands  of  truly  Christian,  God-fearing  people,  who  are  its  very 
'salt,'  in  the  emphatic  scriptural  sense  of  that  most  significant  term.  And  the 
Christian  Commission  is  only  the  visible  cropping  out  and  embodiment  of  this 
grand  conservative  element,  causing  its  curative  influences  to  be  powerfully 
felt  amid  the  upheavings  and  convulsive  struggles  that  constitute  the  crisis  of 
a  great  nation's  destiny.  Such  an  army  of  volunteer  philanthropists,  amid 
scenes  of  havoc  and  bloodshed,  the  world  has  never  seen  before.  In  promot- 
ing the  objects  of  this  Commission,  the  United  States,  so  inexhaustible  in  their 
resources,  require  no  pecuniary  aid  at  our  hands.  Still,  methinks  that  a  free- 
will offering  on  our  part,  however  humble,  simply  expressive  of  our  approving 
sympathy,  homage,  and  good-will,  would  only  be  a  fitting  tribute,  which  the 
nobly  generous  hearts  beyond  the  Atlantic  would  know  how  to  appreciate,  and, 
in  due  time,  becomingly  to  reciprocate.  Nor  need  any  one  be  deterred  from 
joining  in  a  tribute  of  sympathy  and  good-will,  towards  a  movement  of  such 
transcendent  Christian  worth,  by  any  particular  views  or  theories  respecting 
the  origin  or  primary  objects  of  the  civil  war,  which,  for  the  last  four  yearn, 
has  been  raging,  on  a  scale  of  such  stupendous  magnitude,  throughout  the 


532  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

America,  and  the  Sandwich  Islands,1  testified  their  sym- 
pathy and  interest  by  asking  that  they  might  also  help 
in  the  great  work  of  mercy  and  patriotism.  Peculiarly 
precious  among  these  foreign  offerings  were  the  gifts 
from  the  American  missionaries  scattered  over  the 
world.  They  desired  to  have  fellowship  with  their 
brethren  at  home  in  the  work  of  preaching  Christ  to 
the  army ;  and  so  they  sent,  from  their  distant  fields  of 

United  States.  Sufficient  for  us,  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic,  to  know  and  bear 
in  mind,  that  the  great  war  began,  and  would  have  continued  to  rage,  though 
no  Christian  Commission  had  ever  existed ;  and  that  the  grand  end  of  the 
Commission  has  been  to  mitigate  its  horrors  by  bountifully  and  heroically 
ministering  to  the  bodily  and  spiritual  wants  of  the  combatants  on  both  sides ; 
and  that,  too,  to  an  extent,  as  well  as  in  ways  and  modes,  which  may  challenge 
the  admiration  of  all  Christendom.  While,  therefore,  gladly  forwarding  my 
own  humble  mite,  I  earnestly  hope  that  those  on  whom  the  Lord  has  bestowed 
abundance  of  this  world's  substance  will  not  be  backward  in  contributing  from 
their  ampler  stores ;  and  that  all  who  have  learnt  to  rejoice  in  the  blessed 
gospel,  as  the  message  of  'Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  peace  on  earth,  and 
good-will  to  men,'  may  unite  in  fervent  prayer  that  the  two  greatest  Christian 
Protestant  nations, —  Great  Britain  and  America, —  may  soon  come  to  embrace 
each  other  in  the  arms  of  mutual  forbearance  and  love,  and  hail  each  other's 
cordial  co-operation  in  forwarding  the  grandest  and  most  glorious  of  all  enter- 
prises,— even  that  of  the  evangelization  of  the  world. 

"  I  remain,  yours  very  sincerely, 

"ALEXANDER  DUFF." 

1  Among  the  many  memorable  letters  received  from  abroad  by  the  Christian 
Commission,  the  following  may  serve  as  a  type :  — 

"HONOLULU,  SANDWICH  ISLANDS,') 
"  November  30,  1864.      / 
"  GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C. 

"Dear  Sir:  The  American  women  resident  on  the  Sandwich  Islands,  wishing 
to  aid  your  organization  in  its  noble  efforts  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  the 
soldiers,  in  the  civil  war  now  existing  in  their  mother  country,  have  formed  a 
Branch  Society,  and  have  been  engaged  for  the  last  few  weeks  in  raising  funds 
for  that  object,  and  now  forward,  as  the  result  of  a  Fair  and  collections,  a  draft 
for  $5,500  on  Charles  H.  Marshall,  of  New  York  City. 

"Respectfully  yours,  KATE  M.  WHITNEY, 

"  Sec'y  and  Treas.  Ladies'  Hawaiian  C.  C." 

While  the  greater  part  of  this  sum  was  from  the  city  of  Honolulu,  yet  the 
several  islands  of  the  Hawaiian  group  were  represented  in  it. 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  533 

self-denying  toil,  their  "prayers  and  alms"  as  a  memo- 
rial. And  not  only  the  missionaries,  but  those  whom 
they  had  taught  to  love  God,  and  to  love  the  country 
whence  the  missionaries  came,  were  contributors  to  the 
Commission.  The  girls  in  two  missionary  boarding- 
schools  in  Canton,  China,  following  the  example  of 
their  teachers,  forwarded  a  box  of  Chinese  curiosities, — 
articles  mainly  of  their  own  manufacture.  A  native 
convert,  Anton ius  Yanni,  of  Tripoli,  Syria,  and  the 
American  Vice-Consul  at  that  place,  sent  a  collection 
of  Syrian  articles,  by  the  hand  of  Rev.  H.  H.  Jessup, 
missionary  at  Beirut.1  Mr.  Yanni  forwarded  a  second 
box  of  Syrian  curiosities,  which  reached  Philadelphia 
on  the  2d  of  April,  1866,  and  was  the  last  donation 
received  by  the  Christian  Commission.  The  mission- 
aries at  Constantinople,  and  also  at  the  several  stations 
in  India,  Siam,  and  Persia,  should  be  mentioned  as 
sharing  in  these  memorials  of  Christian  and  patriotic 
fellowship. 

Valuable  as  testimonials  of  appreciation  were  the 
offerings  that  came  from  the  soldiers  themselves.  These 
were  never  solicited.  Indeed,  the  policy  of  the  Commis- 

1  These  Syrian  curiosities  were  sold  for  something  over  $200,  and  the  amount 
expended  in  Dr.  Sonar's  little  book,  "God's  Way  of  Peace," — Mr.  Yanni's 
name  being  inscribed  in  each  copy,— and  thus  circulated  through  the  army. 
Eev.  Mr.  Jessup,  while  in  this  country,  in  communicating  Mr.  Yanni's  gift,  wrote 
to  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission, —  "  These  contributions  are  not  large,  but 
they  are  valuable  as  an  expression  of  interest  in  the  welfare  of  our  brave  soldiers 
from  one  who  received  the  light  of  salvation  from  America,  and  now  desires  to 
do  something  for  America.  He  prays  daily  for  God's  blessing  on  our  dear  coun- 
try, and  he  is  not  the  only  one  in  Syria  who  remembers  our  government  Jn 
prayer.  Best  assured,  sir,  that  American  missionaries  all  over  the  world  cease 
not  to  pray  for  their  native  land,  and  that  one  of  our  highest  joys  is  to  hear 
native  converts  praying  in  a  foreign  tongue  for  God's  blessing  on  far-distant 
America." 


534  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

sion  was  rather  to  discourage  them,  as  it  was  above  all 
desirous  that  there  should  be  no  semblance  of  selling 
the  benefactions  of  the  people,  or  of  showing  partiality 
in  their  distribution.  Yet  oftentimes  the  soldier,  alike 
officer  and  private,  would  not  be  denied1  this  method  of 
attesting  his  estimate  of  the  Commission's  presence  and 
service  in  the  army.  The  total  receipts  from  this  source 
were  many  thousands  of  dollars.  These  contributions 
were  mostly  in  small  sums,  handed  to  the  Delegates  or 
agents  at  the  field  stations  of  the  Commission.  But  in 
some  instances  they  were  considerable  in  amount,  and 
were  sent  to  the  treasury  of  the  Central  Office  or  of 
some  auxiliary.2  "A  soldier  in  the  front,"  without 
name  or  date,  sends  $20.  A  "discharged  soldier"  sends 
$20  for  the  prisoners  in  Richmond.  "A  Massachusetts 
private"  sends  $50,  the  amount  of  his  yearly  benevo- 
lence when  at  home,  and  he  does  not  wish  to  forego  it 
while  in  the  army.3  The  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- 
eighth  Pennsylvania  regiment  send  $189 ;  the  Phila- 
delphia "Washington  Grays,"  $78;  the  Third  Vermont 
regiment,  in  a  package  containing  a  list  of  300  names, 
marked  "  through  free  by  Adams  Express,"  $210.  A 
New  York  private  makes  a  deposit  of  $255,  which  the 

1  Rev.  S.  H.  Emery,  of  Quincy,  111.,  writes :  "  One  soldier,  who  lost  a  leg  at 
Gettysburg,  gave  me  $5  for  the  Commission.     Said  I,  '  Is  n't  a  leg  enough  to  give 
for  your  country?'     'Oh,'  said  he,  and  the  tears  started,  'I  saw  what  the  Com- 
mission did  for  us  poor  fellows  at  Gettysburg ;  I  must  give  $5.'     And  a  few  days 
after  he  gave  me  another  $5.     A  prisoner  from  Andersonville,— poor  fellow,— 
gave  me  fifty  cents.     He  would  give  it ;  God  bless  him  !" 

2  The  rent  of  the  rooms  occupied  by  the  Commission  at  Memphis  was  for  several 
months  paid  by  the  Commanding  General,  at  the  rate  of  $50  per  month. 

3  A  surgeon,  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  supplies  at  a  very  opportune 
moment,  says,  "  Since  entering  the  army,  nearly  four  years  ago,  it  has  been  my 
design  that  one-tenth  of  the  income  in  my  commission  should  be  appropriated  to 
charitable  purposes  connected  with  the  army." 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  535 

Commission  is  to  use  without  interest  until  called  for, 
and  in  case  of  his  death  the  whole  sum  is  to  go  into  the 
treasury.  A  lieutenant  in  the  Ninth  New  Hampshire 
regiment  said,  "Should  the  Christian  Commission  be 
given  up  by  the  people,  I  believe  the  army  would  sup- 
port it  by  their  contributions."1  The  men  in  the  navy 
did  not  forget  that  the  Commission  was  for  all  who  were 
in  the  national  service,  and  they  were  ready  also  to  show 
their  sympathy  with  their  brethren  on  shore.  As  re- 
presentative of  many  may  be  mentioned  the  action  of 
the  crew  of  the  Pocahontas,  who  forwarded  an  address 
to  the  Commission,  with  $135  in  money.  The  "  naval 
and  civil  officers,  mechanics,  and  employes"  at  the 
Charlestown  Navy  Yard  contributed  at  one  time  the 
sum  of  $6,432.26 ;  and  the  men  at  the  Portsmouth  and 
Kittery  -Navy  Yard  gave  each  the  income  of  a  day's 
labor,  amounting  in  all  to  $4,000. 

There  was  a  large  list  of  individual  contributions, 
where  the  motive  for  the  gift  was  often  in  good  part 
aside  from  the  special  needs  of  the  Commission, — the 
Commission  becoming  the  medium  through  which  some 

1  Rev.  E.  P.  Smith  writes  from  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland:  —  "We  are 
having  some  interesting  donations,— not  large  but  full  of  meaning.  The  Twenty- 
fifth  Illinois  regiment  has  taken  its  third  collection  for  the  cause,  of  course  with- 
out a  suggestion  from  us.  Yesterday  a  young  soldier  came  in,  his  clothes  looking 
as  if  they  had  seen  a  hard  campaign,  and  asked  if  we  had  paper  and  envelopes 
to  sell.  I  said,  'No;  we  have  nothing  to  sell,  but  we  give  to  men  in  hospitals  and 
to  any  soldier  who  wants  to  write  at  our  table.'  'Is  that  the  way  you  do  it?'  said 
he,  drawing  out  his  purse;  'well,  I  want  you  to  keep  the  establishment  going  till 
you  have  spent  that,  at  any  rate,' — throwing  down  a  two-dollar  greenback.  An- 
other soldier  read  the  heading  on  our  writing-paper,  took  out  a  dollar  and  laid  it 
down,  saying,  'That  greenback  is  well  spent,  whatever  has  come  of  the  rest.' 
Some  hand  us  two  dimes,  and  so  on,  to  ten  dollars.  The  amount  received  in  this 
way  is  not  large,  but  every  dime  is  from  overflowing  gratitude  or  a  full  apprecia- 
tion of  our  work." 

I      - 


536  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

personal  affection  or  emotion  found  expression.  An 
occasional  check  for  $500  was  received  from  some  person 
who  gave  neither  name  nor  date,  as  a  "  thank-offering 
for  God's  goodness,"  or  in  acknowledgment  of  "  depend- 
ence upon  God's  bounty," — -the  identity  of  the  giver 
being  known  only  from  the  uniformity  of  the  writing. 
A  gentleman  in  Wisconsin  sent  perhaps  a  dozen  letters, 
averaging  a  half-dozen  words  each,  and  enclosing  from 
$10  to  $30.  An  "elderly  lady  of  limited  means,  who 
had  dressed  plainly  and  lived  sparingly  that  she  might 
aid  in  some  way  her  country's  defenders,"  sent  $125.50 
in  gold  (worth  double  that  sum  in  currency)  to  the 
Brooklyn  treasury,  but  would  give  no  name.  A  "  ser- 
vant girl,"  whose  wages  for  the  year  amounted  to  $91, 
sent  $25  to  the  Commission.  Mr.  Chamberlain,  of  Cin- 
cinnati, received  a  five-dollar  bill  from  a  dying  soldier, 
with  the  simple  words :  "  This  is  all  I  have  to  leave  on 
earth ;  I  want  to  give  it  to  the  best  friend  I  ever  had, — 
the  Christian  Commission ; "  also  a  two-dollar  bill  from  a 
dead  soldier's  mother,  with  the  statement,  "  This  was  all 
John  had  when  he  died ;  and  as  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion was  instrumental  in  bringing  him  to  Christ,  I 
know  he  would  want  to  give  it  to  that  Commission  were 
he  alive."  A  soldier's  mother  gave  five  dollars  which 
had  been  pledged  to  the  Commission  by  her  son  while 
in  a  rebel  prison,  after  having  there  received  aid  from 
the  Commission ;  he  was  afterwards  exchanged  and  fell 
in  battle.  Numerous  keepsakes  and  heirlooms,  many 
of  them  of  large  intrinsic  value,  found  their  way  from 
among  the  treasures  of  the  households  into  the  resources 
of  the  Commission, — -articles  of  jewelry,  specimens  of 
fine  art,  and  historical  mementos.  Some  of  these  were 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  537 

disposed  of  at  a  heavy  advance  upon  their  original  cost. 
A  lady  in  Philadelphia,  whose  sons  and  grandsons  were 
in  the  army,  one  of  each  having  fallen  in  the  service, 
sent  two  valuable  India  shawls,  the  bequest  of  a  recently 
deceased  daughter.  A  widow  in  Chicago,  whose  son  had 
fallen  at  Chickamauga,  and  whose  grandfather  was  in  the 
^Revolutionary  war,  gave  a  one-dollar  bill  of  Continental 
money  that  had  been  paid  to  the  latter  for  his  services ; 
the  bill  afterwards  sold  for  $300.  One  who  had  lost  a 
loved  daughter  sent  $600  to  be  expended  upon  an  army 
chapel  tent,  which  should  be  called  the  "Memorial 
Tabernacle."  A  lady  who  was  much  interested  in  the 
welfare  of  the  army  was  suddenly  stricken  down  by  dis- 
ease while  away  from  home ;  the  husband  found  a  sum 
of  money  in  her  trunk,  which  was  forwarded  to  the 
Commission  as  the  offering  of  a  "  beloved  wife  and 
mother  now  in  heaven."  Mrs.  Isabella  G.  Duffield,  of 
Detroit,  writes  to  Mr.  Stuart,  under  date  of  Sept.  30, 
1863: — "Having,  with  great  thankfulness  to  God,  heard 
that  my  youngest  son  is  not  wounded,  and  quite  well  at 
Chattanooga,  I  send  you  $20,  as  a  thank-offering  from  a 
mother  for  the  preservation  of  her  son  at  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga." 

The  individual  offerings  mentioned  above  varied  in 
amount  from  a  few  cents  to  thousands  of  dollars. 
Instances  were  not  wanting  of  annual,  subscriptions  of 
$1,000  to  $5,000, — with  perhaps  equal  sums  given  in 
the  intervals  by  the  same  persons,  to  meet  some  special 
call.  Sometimes  a  church,  or  an  ecclesiastical  body,  or 
a  single  person,  would  provide  the  salary  of  a  permanent 
Delegate  or  agent.  Frequently  a  Delegate  would  refuse 
to  take  from  the  Commission  the  sum  appropriated  for 

68 


538  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

his  personal  expenses  while  in  the  work ;  and  the 
gentlemen  chosen  to  address  the  Commission  at  its 
anniversaries  often  insisted  upon  performing  the  service 
at  their  own  charges. 

The  occasions  of  social  intercourse  and  entertainment 
were  turned  to  account  for  the  benefit  of  the  Commis- 
sion and  the  soldiers.  An  accustomed  festive  gathering 
of  friends,  or  a  little  concert  or  exhibition  by  a  school, — 
to  which  no  thought  of  money-making  was  ever  attached, 
and  which  had  hitherto  been  without  fee  for  attend- 
ance,— was  now  made  to  help  forward  the  good  work. 
And  the  attendance  was  larger  because  of  the  opportu- 
nity of  giving.  Sometimes  the  neighborhood  gathering 
or  the  special  entertainment  was  devised  as  the  readiest 
means  of  providing  expression  for  the  desire  to  con- 
tribute. In  the  town  of  Tomales,  California,  occupied 
by  farmers,  where  there  were  twenty  houses  and  three 
hundred  voters,  a  festival  was  given  which  netted  for 
the  Commission  $2,815.36.  A  parlor  concert  in  Phila- 
delphia brought  in  $108.  In  June,  1864,  the  young 
ladies, — fifteen  in  number, — of  the  literary  society  in 
Knox  Female  Seminary,  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  dis- 
pensed with  their  customary  society  badges,  and  sent 
the  sum  they  had  appropriated  for  that  purpose, — 
$50, — to  the  Commission.  "  It  is  a  small  offering,"  they 
say,  "  but  our  hearts  are  in  it,  and  we  cheerfully  give 
it,  hoping  that  it  may  do  good  to  some  of  our  brave 
soldiers  who  are  so  nobly  periling  their  lives  in  the  de- 
fence of  our  country."  In  the  same  month,  the  gradu- 
ating class  of  young  ladies, — forty-seven  in  number, — 
in  the  Mt.  Holyoke  Female  Seminary,  at  South  Hadley, 
Massachusetts,  relinquished  their  customary  class  badges, 


CONTRIBUTIONS.  539 

and  devoted  the  sum  intended  for  that  purpose, — $180, — 
to  the  Commission.  Their  pastor  went  at  that  time  as 
a  Delegate  to  the  army,  and  they  sent  the  money  by 
him,  "with  great  heartiness  and  unanimity,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers."  An  exhibi- 
tion of  tableaux  in  Troy,  New  York,  produced  $800.  A 
small  school  of  eleven  girls,  in  Easton,  Pennsylvania, 
gave  a  concert  and  raised  $125.  A  gentleman  in  Phila- 
delphia gave  an  exhibition  of  his  private  art  collection, 
which  secured  for  the  Commission  $1,200. 

The  Commission  was  largely  indebted  to  the  ladies  for 
the  efficiency  and  success  of  all  the  methods  by  which 
money  Was  raised.  Their  presence  and  influence  have 
been  felt,  even  where  not  expressly  mentioned,  in  the 
majority  of  the  illustrations  which  have  been  given,  and 
they  were  themselves  most  generous  contributors.  To 
solicit  for  funds,  to  prepare  for  an  entertainment,  and 
then  preside  over  and  direct  it ;  to  follow  up  all  the 
details  of  the  benevolent  movement,  making  the  needed 
explanations,  excuses,  and  pleas,  until  the  money  was 
actually  on  the  way  to  the  treasury; — this  continually 
devolved  upon  the  women  of  the  country, — besides  the 
consulting,  planning,  cutting,  sewing,  assorting,  packing, 
which  were  implied  in  every  box  of  stores  that  came 
from  their  unwearied  hands. 

But  in  this  enumeration  of  the  sources  of  income  to 
the  Commission,  the  children  must  not  be  forgotten. 
They  gave  and  they  worked  for  the  soldiers.  They  knit 
and  they  sewed ;  they  made  comfort-bags  and  house- 
wives,— filling  them  and  writing  letters  for  them ;  they 
picked  lint  and  they  gathered  fruit;  they  gave  their 
holiday  money,  and  they  held  entertainments  of  various 


540  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

kinds,  at  which  to  raise  more  money.  The  cash  con- 
tributions only  will  be  noticed  here.  These  were  legion 
in  number  and  not  small  in  amount.  A  children's  Fair 
in  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  produced  over  $1,300 ;  one 
in  Sing  Sing,  New  York,  over  $1,200;  one  in  Erie, 
Pennsylvania,  over  $500 ;  one  in  Astoria,  Long  Island, 
over  $400 ;  one  in  Kalamazoo,  Michigan,  $150 ;  one  in 
New  Haven,  Connecticut,  the  same ;  and  many  others 
yielded  smaller  sums.1  The  Sunday-schools  were  active, 
often  repeating  their  donations.  One  school  in  Pitts- 
burg  gave  $212  ;  one  in  Columbia,  California,  $123  ;  and 
others  an  equal  or  larger  amount.  The  individual  offer- 
ings from  the  little  ones  were  abundant,  ranging  from  a 
few  pennies  to  several  dollars,  and  often  accompanied 
with  the  simple  and  earnest  expressions  of  their  hearty 
interest  in  the  matter. 

The  illustrations  given  above,  representatives  of  many 
thousands  perhaps  equally  entitled  to  be  recorded,  will 
show  by  what  methods  the  treasury  of  the  Commission 
was  supplied.  The  work  was  constantly  laid  before  the 
people,  and  they  were  asked  for  their  sympathy,  their 
prayers,  and  their  contributions,  and  then  they  were  left 
to  act  as  their  interest  and  circumstances  might  deter- 
mine. The  response,  as  the  record  shows,  was  sponta- 
neous, continuous,  and  abundant.  It  was  the  free-will 
offering  of  piety  and  Christian  patriotism,  for  the  pre- 
servation of  the  nation,  the  salvation  of  men,  and  the 
honor  of  God. 

1  Two  children,  in  Newton  Centre,  Massachusetts,  held  a  Mr  in  their  father's 
parlor,  and  received  $1215.86.  Two  children  at  Newton  Corner  gave  a  concert, 
and  received  $238. 


CHAPTER  X. 

DELEGATES. 

THE  position  of  the  Delegates  in  the  work  of  the 
Christian  Commission  will  be  most  clearly  set  forth  in 
the  official  documents  in  which  their  duties  are  defined. 
These  documents  were  not  essentially  modified  after  their 
first  issue  in  1862,  although  experience  suggested  some 
changes  of  details.  They  are  here  given  in  their  final 
form.  The  commission  which  was  issued  to  each  Dele- 
gate, and  which  constituted  his  authorization  and  creden- 
tials for  the  work,  was  as  follows:  — 

Commission. 

No 

OFFICE  U.  8.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  1 

No.  11  BANK  STREET, 
PHILADELPHIA, 186     ) 

To  Officers  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  and  Others: 

The  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  organized  by  a  convention  of  the 
Young  Men's  Christian  Associations  of  the  loyal  States,  to  promote 
the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  and  improvement  of  the  men  of 
the  Army  and  Navy,  acting  under  the  approbation  and  commen- 
dation of  the  President,  the  Secretaries  of  the  Army  and  the  Navy, 
the  Postmaster-General,  the  Surgeon-General,  and  the  Generals  in 
Command,  have  appointed .- 

a  DELEGATE,  to  act  in  accordance  with  instructions  furnished  here- 

541 


542  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

with,  under  the  direction  of  the  proper  officers,  in  furtherance  of  the 
objects  of  the  Commission. 

His  services  will  be  rendered  in  behalf  of  the  Commission,  without 
remuneration  from  or  expense  to  the  Government. 

His  work  will  be  that  of  distributing  stores,  where  needed,  in  hos- 
pitals and  camps;  circulating  good  reading-matter  amongst  soldiers 
and  sailors;  visiting  the  sick  and  wounded,  to  instruct,  comfort  and 
cheer  them,  and  aid  them  in  correspondence  with  their  friends  at 
home;  aiding  surgeons  on  the  battle-field  and  elsewhere,  in  the  care 
and  conveyance  of  the  wounded  to  hospitals;  helping  chaplains  in 
their  ministrations  and  influence  for  the  good  of  the  men  under  their 
care;  and  addressing  soldiers  and  sailors,  individually  and  collec- 
tively, in  explanation  of  the  work  of  the  Commission  and  its  Dele- 
gates, and  for  their  personal  instruction  and  benefit,  temporal  and 
eternal. 

He  is  strictly  enjoined,  if  with  our  forces  when  a  battle  is  approach- 
ing, passing  or  passed,  to  abstain  from  reporting  anything  on  the 
subject  not  authorized  by  the  commanding  officer,  and  in  general 
strictly  to  observe  all  Army  and  Navy  regulations,  and  abstain 
from  casting  reflections  upon  the  authorities,  military,  medical  and 
clerical. 

All  possible  facilities  and  all  due  courtesies  are  asked  for  him,  in 
the  proper  pursuance  of  any  or  all  of  these  duties. 


Chairman  U.  S.  Christian  Commission. 

The  following  are  the  Instructions  above  referred  to, 
and  were  furnished  with  each  commission:  — 

INSTRUCTIONS  TO  DELEGATES. 

ABOUT   ENTERING   UPON    THE    WORK. 

Prior *to  entering  upon  the  work  of  the  Commission,  each  Delegate 
is  required  to  sign  the  following  pledge  upon  the  third  page  of  his 
commission,  with  the  conditions  of  which  he  is  expected  strictly  to 
comply:  — 

"I  agree  and  pledge  myself,  in  accepting  this  commission,  to  fol- 


DELEGATES.  543 

low  the  instructions  given  with  it,  to  go  to  the  field  to  which  I  may 
be  sent,  take  the  position  which  the  Agent  shall  assign  to  me,  con- 
tinue in  the  work  not  less  than  six  wee^cs,  unless  sooner  released  by 
special  permission  of  the  Agent  or  one  of  the  General  Officers  of  the 
Commission,  and  to  make  a  full  report  of  my  work  at  the  close  of 
my  term  of  service." 

Upon. the  back  of  the  Commission  are  blanks  for  the  Agents  of  the 
Commission  to  fill ;  one  showing  the  time  the  Delegate  reported  for 
duty,  and  the  other  the  time  and  reason  of  his  close  of  labor.  When 
the  Delegate  reaches  his  field,  he  will  present  his  commission  to  the 
Agent,  and  have  the  first  blank  filled,  and  before  leaving  will  have 
the  second  one  filled. 

The  first  thing,  on  arriving  in  the  field  to  which  they  are  sent, 
Delegates  will  report  for  duty  to  the  General  Field  Agent,  who  will 
assign  them  their  stations. 

The  Field  Agent  will  see  that  the  Delegates  are  supplied  with 
whatever  is  needed  for  distribution  amongst  the  soldiers,  and  for 
their  own  subsistence. 

Whenever  a  Delegate  assumes  independence  of  the  Field  Agent, 
and  goes  to  any  part  of  the  field  to  which  he  is  not  assigned  or 
directed,  or  visits  about  from  one  part  to  another,  confusion  is  created, 
and  his  services  are  lost,  or  worse  than  lost,  to  the  Commission. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  Delegate,  when  assigned  to  his  station, 
should  not  fail  of  employing  most  prayerfully  all  his  own  ingenuity, 
energy,  and  enterprise  in  carrying  on  and  extending  the  work. 

DUTIES   OF   DELEGATES. 

The  various  duties  of  Delegates  from  the  United  States  Christian 
Commission  to  The  Field,  The  Hospital,  and  The  Battle- Ground,  may 
be  summarily  stated  as  follows :  — 

Visiting  hospitals,  camps,  and  battle-fields  for  the  instruction, 
supply,  encouragement,  and  relief  of  the  men  of  our  army,  accord- 
ing to  their  various  circumstances ; 

Distributing  stores,  where  needed,  in  hospitals  and  camps ; 

Circulating  good  publications  amongst  our  soldiers  and  sailors; 

Aiding  chaplains  in  their  ministrations  and  influence  for  the 
spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  the  men  under  their  care ; 


544  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Encom'aging  special  and  stated  meetings  for  prayer  amongst  the 
men  in  the  field  and  in  the  hospital ; 

Encouraging  soldiers  and  sailors  to  communicate  freely  and  fre- 
quently with  their  friends,  aiding  them  to  do  it,  and,  if  need  be, 
writing  for  them,  especially  when  they  are  sick  or  wounded ; 

Addressing  the  men  personally  and  collectively,  to  'encourage 
them  in  every  right  way,  discourage  every  vice,  give  them  informa- 
tion from  the  people  and  from  home,  explain  the  work  of  the  Com- 
mission in  their  behalf,  cheer  them  to  duty,  and,  above  all,  persuade 
them  to  become  reconciled  to  God  through  the  blood  of  His  Son,  if 
they  have  not  already  done  so,  and  if  they  have,  then  to  be  strong 
in  the  Lord,  resolute  for  duty,  earnest  and  constant  in  prayer,  and 
fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord ; 

In  aiding  the  surgeons  on  the  battle-field  in  the  kind  care  and 
removal  of  the  wounded,  giving  them  food  and  drink,  and  every- 
thing needed  to  mitigate  suffering  and  aid  recovery,  or,  if  dying,  point 
them  with  prayer  to  Jesus,  and  give  them  Christian  burial.  In 
short,  striving  to  do  all  that  man  can  do  to  meet  the  wants  of  brethren 
far  from  home  and  kindred. 

Glancing  at  these  several  duties,  it  will  be  seen  that  they  imply 
not  only  three  separate  fields,  but  three  classes  of  Delegates,  each 
having  duties  distinct,  and  each  requiring  specific  instruction. 


I. —  DELEGATES   TO    THE   FIELD. 

In  all  cases  where  wisely  practicable,  the  Delegate  to  the  field 
will  be  stationed,  by  the  General  Field  Agent,  somewhere  in  the 
army  where  he  will  have  subsistence  for  himself  and  supplies  for 
distribution  furnished  him,  and  where  he  may  conduct  or  assist  in 
religious  services,  see  and  instruct  those  who  may  call,  and  from 
which  he  may  go  forth  from  time  to  time  to  do  good,  as  he  may  find 
opportunity.  Regiments  having  chaplains  should  be  supplied  through 
them,  and  all  services  or  meetings  in  such  regiments  should  be  under 
direction  or  by  invitation  of  their  chaplains.  A  chaplain's  regiment 
is  his  peculiar  parish,  and  there  should  be  no  intrusion  upon  it ;  but, 
on  the  contrary,  his  authority  and  influence  should  be  strengthened 
as  much  as  possible. 

The  Commission  regards  the  aid  and  supply  of  chaplains,  at  their 


DELEGATES.  545 

own  request,  as  an  important  part  of  its  work.  Extreme  instances 
may  occur  in  which  the  neglect,  indifference,  absence,  or  ungodliness 
of  the  chaplain  may  justify  or  require  the  Delegate  to  do  what  he 
can  for  the  good  of  the  men,  independently  of  their  chaplain ;  but 
these  cases  are  rare. 

The  work  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  comprises, 
besides  the  religious  services,  etc.,  at  the  stations,  the  supply  of  field 
hospitals  with  such  clothing,  bedding,  and  stores  as  their  necessities 
require;  the  distribution  of  stores  and  publications  to  all  in  the 
camps, —  officers  and  men;  personal  individual  intercourse  with  them, 
to  instruct,  cheer,  and  win  them  to  Christ,  or  to  stir  them  up  to 
greater  faith  and  zeal  and  activity  for  Christ ;  aiding  and  encourag- 
ing constant  correspondence  with  their  friends,  by  giving  them  paper 
and  envelopes,  or,  if  need  be,  writing  for  them  and  mailing  their 
letters,  and  forwarding  for  them  packages  to  their  homes ;  securing 
the  organization  of  religious  societies,  where  practicable ;  encourag- 
ing meetings  for  prayer ;  aiding  chaplains  in  their  public  services, 
and  seeking  opportunity  to  address  regiments  publicly  and  collec- 
tively ;  addressing  them  as  Delegates  of  the  Commission  and  as 
ambassadors  for  Jesus ;  and  doing  whatever  else  good  common  sense 
and  warm  Christian  sympathy  and  true  patriotism  may  dictate  for 
the  temporal  and  spiritual  benefit  of  the  men  in  the  field. 

To  facilitate  this  work  of  the  field,  the  Commission  will,  for  the 
regular  service,  furnish  its  Delegates,  if  needed,  not  only  with  stores, 
clothing,  and  publications  for  gratuitous  distribution,  but  wagons 
and  horses  for  their  transportation  from  the  various  depots  of  these 
things  to  the  camps  where  they  are  to  be  distributed. 

But,  in  case  of  exigencies  demanding  it,  brigadier  or  major-gene- 
rals, or  other  officers,  may  be  requested  to  detail  ambulances  for 
temporary  use ;  which  they  will  readily  do,  if  at  all  consistent  with 
military  necessities. 

For  the  accomplishment  of  this  field  work  it  is  always  desirable 
to  see  first  the  commanding  officer  of  the  regiment,  brigade,  division, 
or  corps  in  which  it  is  to  be  done,  and  explain  it  to  him ;  and  also 
see  and  explain  to  such  other  officers  as  may  be  convenient  and 
expedient,  especially  colonels  of  regiments,  chaplains,  and  surgeons. 

Officers  should  also  be  politely  remembered  in  the  distribution  to 
them  of  such  things  as  they  may  specially  need. 

69 


546  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Distribution  to  the  men  may  be  made  in  various  ways,  and  should 
be  so  made  as  to  have  the  things  intended  for  them  actually  placed  in 
their  hands. 

One  plan  for  doing  this  is,  with  permission  of  the  officers,  to  visit 
from  tent  to  tent,  so  that  each  man  may  receive  for  himself  such 
articles  as  can  be  given  him. 

Care  and  discretion  must  be  exercised,  to  avoid  inequality  in  dis- 
tribution, lest  the  least  modest  should  receive  the  most. 

Occasions  for  addresses  may  be  sought  or  accepted  at  the  times  of 
regular  service,  or  at  the  close  of  a  dress  parade,  or  by  having  regi- 
ments assembled  by  order  of  their  commander,  at  any  time,  for  the 
purpose. 

Addresses  should  always  be  brief,  kind,  tender,  breathing  of  home, 
earnest  and  affectionate  for  the  men,  and  fervent  for  Christ.  No 
men  in  the  world  listen  with  deeper  interest  than  our  brave  soldiers 
to  living  words  of  truth ;  none  are  moved  more  powerfully  by 
generous  and  noble  sentiments ;  none  more  hopeful  for  the  power  of 
the  gospel  and  the  labor  of  the  servant  of  Christ ;  but  they  cannot 
be  impressed  or  moved  by  abstractions  or  dry  and  dull  discussions. 
Like  powder,  they  are  easily  fired  by  the  living  spark,  yet  they  can- 
not be  moved  by  all  the  dead  ashes  and  coals  that  can  be  heaped 
upon  them. 

II. —  DELEGATES  TO  THE  HOSPITALS. 

The  United  States  Christian  Commission  sends  men  to  work  in  the 
hospitals,  as  volunteer  assistants  of  chaplains,  at  the  chaplain's  re- 
quest, or  to  act  as  volunteer  chaplains  in  such  hospitals  as  have  not 
had  chaplains  appointed  for  them  by  the  government, — not  to  work 
in  hospitals  which  have  chaplains,  except  when  requested  to  do  it. 
The  Delegate  to  the  hospital  having  a  chaplain  should  therefore 
report  himself  first  to  the  chaplain,  as  ready  to  assist  him,  and  follow 
his  instructions  and  counsels.  He  should  also  report  himself  to  the 
medical  director  of  the  post,  and  to  the  surgeon  in  charge  and  his 
assistants,  and  work  under  their  approbation.  No  delicacy,  medi- 
cine, or  stimulant  should  ever  be  given,  especially  to  the  sick  or 
wounded  in  the  hospitals,  without  the  approbation  of  a  surgeon  ;  and 
in  all  matters  at  all  influencing  the  recovery  of  patients  the  surgeon's 
instructions  should  be  sought  and  implicitly  followed. 


DELEGATES.  547 

Free  and  frequent  distribution  of  good  reading-matter  in  the  hos- 
pitals ;  the  establishment  of  stated  and  frequent  meetings  for  prayer 
and  conference ;  the  occasional  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  with  sing- 
ing and  prayer,  and  exhortation,  in  such  wards  especially  as  are 
occupied  by  those  unable  to  go  out  to  the  stated  meetings,  though  not 
so  ill  as  to  be  injured  by  such  service ;  together  with  personal  con- 
versation and  prayer  with  individuals,  are  the  chief  means  by  which 
the  Delegate  can  benefit  the  men  of  the  hospital.  And  in  all  this 
it  is  highly  desirable  not  only  to  secure  the  approval,  but  also  the  aid, 
of  the  surgeons  who  are  willing  to  render  it. 

For  their  temporal  welfare  and  comfort,  the  distribution  of 
clothing,  when  needed,  aiding  the  men  with  paper,  envelopes  and 
stamps  to  write  to  their  friends,  and  writing  for  them,  in  cases  re- 
quiring it,  and  getting  or  doing  anything  whatever  which  may  benefit 
them,  are  chief  amongst  the  ways  to  be  embraced  by  the  Delegate. 

III. —  DELEGATES   TO   THE   BATTLE-GROUND. 

Difficulties  and  discouragements  are  sure  to  meet  those  who  attempt 
to  reach  any  field  where  a  battle  is  raging,  or  where  a  battle  has  just 
been  fought.  But  no  difficulty,  however  great,  no  obstacle,  however 
formidable,  short  of  impossibles  and  impassibles,  should  stop  any 
Delegate  of  the  Commission  this  side  of  the  ground  where  the 
wounded  may  die  for  want  of  the  aid  he  can  render  them.  If  the 
battle-field  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  it  may,  indeed, 
be  inaccessible ;  but  if  it  be  in  the  hands  of  our  own  army,  his  feet 
can  carry  him  there,  if  all  other  means  of  conveyance  should  fail 
him.  Go  there  he  should,  however  weary  the  way,  great  the  alarm,  or 
many  there  may  be  turning  back  or  dissuading  him 'from  going  on. 

His  accoutrements  should  be  a  badge,  a  blanket,  and  strap;  a 
haversack  containing  a  towel  and  soap,  crackers  and  dried  beef,  and 
other  stores,  for  his  own  use,  and  to  give  to  the  wounded  ;  a  bucket 
to  carry  water  or  coffee  in,  and  a  cup  to  serve  it  out  to  the  wounded  ; 
stimulants,  with  beef  tea  in  cakes,  etc.;  a  small  lantern,  candles  and 
matches  for  night  work ;  and  a  small  Bible,  to  use  with  the  dying 
and  in  burying  the  dead.  A  warm  undershirt,  and  a  woollen  shirt 
over  it,  strong  plain  clothing,  strong  easy  shoes  or  boots,  with  a  cap 
or  soft  hat,  make  the  best  personal  outfit. 


548  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


GENERAL    SUGGESTIONS. 

Delegates  receive  no  pay  for  their  services,  but  their  expenses  are 
borne  by  the  Commission.  Money  for  expenses,  if  need  be,  is 
advanced,  and  the  Commission  has  subsistence  arrangements  for 
Delegates  at  all  stations  made  by  field  agents. 

Three  classes  of  talent  and  adaptation  are  required  in  the  Delegate 
Work, — Preaching,  Business,  and  Working.  The  enlistment  of  min- 
isters, who  can  command  audience  in  the  open  air,  of  rank  and  file, 
is  of  first  importance.  Next,  perhaps,  and  quite  as  indispensable,  is 
it  to  secure  those  who  have  a  knowledge  of  the  world,  experience  in 
business,  and  ability  in  affairs.  Scarcely  less  in  value  are  the  services 
of  those  who  are  adapted  to  interest  and  benefit  others  in  social  meet- 
ings and  personal  intercourse.  Four  things  are  indispensable  in 
all, — piety  and  patriotism,  good  common  sense  and  energy.  Men 
who  do  not  succeed  elsewhere  should  never  be  sent  to  the  army,  for 
they  will  surely  fail. 

None  should  be  accepted  who  desire  to  visit  the  army,  or  a  battle- 
field, for  any  purpose  whatever  aside  from  the  work  of  the  Commis- 
sion. No  matter  what  the  position  or  ability  of  the  man  may  be,  or 
how  worthy  the  object  he  has  in  view,  if  he  does  not  wish  to  put  him- 
self under  the  direction  of  the  Commission  and  its  field  agents,  and 
make  it  his  paramount  business  to  do  the  proper  work  of  the  Com- 
mission, he  should  not  be  sent  as  a  Delegate.  It  is  right  and  proper 
to  aid  all  worthy  men  in  worthy  objects,  by  letters  or  otherwise ;  but 
the  name  and  facilities  of  the  Commission  are  sacred  to  the  purposes 
of  its  organization,  and  cannot  be  lent  to  any  one  for  any  private 
purpose.  He  cannot  be  commissioned.  That  such  a  person  is  willing 
to  pay  his  own  expenses  to  the  field,  and  on  it,  does  not  alter  the  case. 
Even  if  he  were  by  contribution  to  add  largely  to  the  means  of  the 
Commission,  besides  paying  his  own  expenses,  it  would  be  giving  the 
name  and  aid  of  the  Commission  in  getting  passes  for  private  ends 
under  color  of  a  sacred  public  purpose. 

Delegates,  when  enlisted,  should  be  instructed  specially  to  report 
themselves  on  the  field  to  the  field  agent,  and  put  themselves  under 
his  direction,  and  should  stand  pledged  to  do  it.  The  Commission 
is  greatly  injured  whenever  Delegates  refuse  to  comply  with  our  regu- 
lations and  instructions,  and  perhaps  most  of  all  by  those  who  visit 


DELEGATES.  549 

the  various  points  of  interest  as  self-appointed  inspectors  or  as  curiosity- 
seekers,  instead  of  entering  heartily  into  the  work  at  such  points  as 
may  be  assigned  to  them. 

As  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission  aims  to  appoint  Christian  gen- 
tlemen as  Delegates,  any  suggestions  about  personal  deportment  may 
be  superfluous.  They  understand  perfectly  well  that  their  work  is 
that  of  aiding  others,  not  dictating  to  them.  Officers  are  supreme  in 
the  field,  and  surgeons  in  the  hospital  and  on  the  battle-ground.  All 
others  coming  to  their  aid  are  present  only  by  sufferance,  and  are  sub- 
ordinate, not  in  authority,  and  should  hold  themselves  subject  to 
orders,  and  place  themselves  under  orders,  and  then  do  with  their 
might  whatever  work  their  hands  find  to  do,  commending  themselves 
to  God  and  their  own  consciences,  and  to  officers  and  surgeons,  by 
the  wisdom,  energy  and  efficiency  of  their  service,  and  by  their  gen- 
tlemanly Christian  courtesy  to  all.  Each  one  is  provided  with  a 
pocket  memorandum-book  and  pencil,  and  should  use  them  freely  in 
noting  facts,  names,  incidents,  dates  and  every  thing  of  interest. 
Also,  with  paper,  pen,  ink,  envelopes  and  stamps  for  his  own  use,  as 
well  as  to  give  to  those  who  need  them.  He  should  report  his  work 
often  to  the  office  of  the  Commission,  with  facts  and  incidents  for 
publication;  and  immediately  on  his  return  from  the  work  he  should 
report  the  fact  to  this  office,1  in  person  or  by  letter,  in  order  that  the 
proper  record  may  be  made  on  the  books  of  the  Commission. 

A  blank  form,  entitled  "Delegate's  Discharge,"  is  furnished  to 
each  Delegate  with  his  commission.  This  blank  should  be  carefully 
and  faithfully  filled  out.  The  Delegate  and  agent  will  co-operate  to 
this  end.  That  it  be  properly  filled  and  returned,  either  in  person  or 
by  mail,  to  the  office  where  the  commission  was  received,  will  be  the 
required  condition  of  settlement  for  the  Delegate's  expenses. 

All  faithful  chaplains  should  be  sought  out  and  aided  as  far  as 
possible,  and  informed  that,  by  written  application  to  the  nearest  office 
of  the  Commission,  afd  of  almost  any  kind  for  their  work  could  be 
obtained  and  sent  to  them  free  of  expense. 

Success  in  the  work,  whether  in  camp,  the  hospital,  or  on  the  battle- 
field, will  depend,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  very  much  upon  the 
faithfulness  with  which  the  Delegate  uses  his  unparalleled  opportu- 

1  Blankets,  haversacks,  straps,  badges,  etc.,  to  be  returned  to  the  nearest  office 
of  the  Commission. 


550  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

nity  of  personal  conversation,  and  brings  home  the  gospel  directly, 
wisely,  kindly  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  the  soldiers  he  meets, 
wherever  he  meets  them.  A  heroism  not  inferior  to  that  which 
charges  to  the  cannon's  mouth,  to  capture  the  battery,  is  required  on 
the  part  of  those  who  would  conquer  under  the  banner  of  the  cross 
and  take  captives  for  Jesus. 

And  finally,  this  whole  work,  in  any  and  every  department,  should 
be  pushed  with  Christ-like  earnestness.  "  Work  while  it  is  day,"  the 
words  of  Jesus  when  about  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind  man  found 
by  the  wayside;  or  those  other  words  of  his  childhood,  characteristic 
of  his  whole  life,  "  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  Father's  busi- 
ness?" should  be  our  watchwords.  The  wounded  and  sick  in  the 
hospital  will  soon  pass  away  to  the  army,  or  the  home,  or  the  judg- 
ment,— the  living  in  the  camp  of  to-day  may  to-morrow  be  hastened 
away  to  the  field  of  carnage.  What  we  do  must  be  done  quickly ; 
even  so  let  us  do.  Amen. 

THE    DELEGATE   AT    HOME. 

The  Christian  Commission  does  not  rely  upon  a  paid  collecting 
agency  to  raise  the  large  sums  needful  for  its  work.  In  this,  as  in 
the  field  department,  the  voluntary  services  of  the  Delegates  have 
been  cheerfully  tendered,  and  have  proved  effective.  Every  Dele- 
gate is  requested  to  ask  at  the  office,  where  he  hands  in  his  equip- 
ment, for  a  bundle  of  publications  and  collecting  cards ;  and  on  his 
return  home,  to  state  the  things  his  eyes  have  seen  and  his  ears  have 
heard  to  his  neighbors,  and  give  them  opportunity  to  offer  their  con- 
tributions, remitting  them  to  the  most  convenient  Branch,  or  to  the 
Central  Office ;  and  to  furnish  the  local  papers  with  brief  graphic 
details  and  incidents  of  his  work. 

By  order  of  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman. 
PHILADELPHIA,  September  15,  1864. 

The  Delegate  system  was  the  distinction  and  the 
strength  of  the  Christian  Commission.  Whatever  was 
peculiar  in  its  operations,  as  compared  with  other  socie- 
ties, grew  out  of  this  system,  and  whatever  of  em- 


DELEGATES.  551 

ciency  the  Commission  attained  must  be  referred  mainly 
to  the  labors  of  these  volunteer  Delegates  and  the 
manner  in  which  their  labors  were  directed. 

The  work  of  the  Delegates  has  been  so  frequently 
spoken  of  in  the  course  of  these  Annals  that  no  ex- 
tended statement  of  its  character  is  requisite  here.  The 
necessity  and  value  of  such  work  are  obvious  at  a  glance. 
It  implies  no  criticism  or  complaint  of  the  government 
to  say  that  many  lives  were  saved,  much  suffering  re- 
lieved, and  much  comfort  secured  by  the  presence  and 
labors  in  the  army  of  the  Commission's  volunteer  Dele- 
gates. The  government  sought  to  give  effect  to  the 
desire  of  the  nation  that  the  army  should  be  well  cared 
for,  but  the  government  at  the  outset  of  the  war  was 
ignorant  of  the  best  methods  of  securing  this  end.  Ele- 
vation to  official  position  did  not  at  once  give  the  requi- 
site knowledge  and  skill  for  fulfilling  its  duties;  and 
hence  the  civilian,  who  had  simply  the  common  experi- 
ence of  practical  life,  was  often  little  if  any  inferior  to 
the  medical  or  military  officer  in  the  unforseen  emergen- 
cies of  the  early  campaigns.  And  frequently  these  emer- 
gencies, of  constant  occurrence,  and  yet  occurring  at 
times  and  under  conditions  that  defied  calculation,  sud- 
denly devolved  an  extra  amount  of  labor  upon  the  sur- 
geons and  chaplains,  that  could  not  be  provided  for  in 
the  regular  appointment  of  these  officers  without  making 
the  number  so  large  as  to  encumber  and  otherwise  weaken 
the  army.  Oftentimes  also  the  movements  of  the  army 
were  such  as  to  demand  the  temporary  neglect  at  least 
of  the  sick  and  wounded  by  those  whose  ordinary  ser- 
vice was  for  their  welfare. 

As  illustrating  some  of  these  cases,  a  few  facts  may  be 


552  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

cited  from  the  operations  of  the  Commission.  When 
the  first  delegation  went  to  the  army,  in  May,  1862,  they 
reported  themselves,  unheralded  and  unknown,  to  the 
Medical  Director  at  Fortress  Monroe.  They  found  work 
immediately.  A  loaded  hospital  transport  was  at  the 
wharf,  with  three  hundred  sick  and  wounded,  ready  to 
start  for  some  Northern  city,  and  nurses  were  greatly 
needed.  Similar  assistance  was  called  for  among  the 
inmates  of  the  hospitals  at  the  Fortress,  and  the  still 
greater  number  at  Yorktown.  The  Delegates  showed 
themselves  willing  and  apt  in  their  new  duties,  ready  for 
whatever  service  was  most  urgent,  however  unusual  or 
laborious  it  might  be,  endeavoring  to  help  in  every  way 
possible  and  careful  not  to  hinder.  They  soon  gained 
the  confidence  of  the  medical  officers  and  of  the  men, 
and  these  first  labors  became  the  type  of  all  that  were 
subsequently  performed  by  the  Commission. 

At  Gettysburg,  in  1863,  the  army  was  hurried  on 
after  the  retreating  rebels,  another  engagement  being 
anticipated  before  they  recrossed  the  Potomac.  Every 
available  man  was  required  for  this  movement.  Of 
necessity  the  thousands  of  wounded  were  left  at  Gettys- 
burg, with  inadequate  provision  for  their  care.  It  is 
impossible  to  estimate  the  suffering  and  loss  of  life  that 
must  have  ensued  had  it  not  been  for  the  extra-govern- 
mental relief  afforded, — relief  which  it  was  beyond  the 
power  of  the  government  to  bestow.  The  citizens  were 
eager  to  share  everything  they  possessed  with  those  who 
had  defended  them  at  such  sacrifice,  and  the  Commission, 
adding  its  own  stores  and  co-operating  with  other  socie- 
ties, could  use  its  multitude  of  Delegates  in  applying 
the  means  of  relief  in  the  most  direct  and  economical 


DELEGATES.  553 

manner.  Those  who  were  most  competent  to  form  an 
opinion  confirmed  this  view  of  the  case  by  their  official 
testimony.  Besides  the  statements  of  soldiers  and  their 
officers,  and  the  regimental  and  hospital  surgeons,  the 
Medical  Inspector  of  the  Army  (Dr.  John  M.  Cuyler) 
wrote  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Commission, — "The  aid 
afforded  us  by  the  Christian  Commission  has  been  im- 
mense. Your  profuse  generosity  and  indefatigable  and 
kind  attentions  doubtless  saved  many  lives  and  glad- 
dened the  hearts  of  thousands."  And  the  Surgeon- 
General,  William  A.  Hammond,  glancing  at  the  peculiar 
features  of  the  case,  wrote, — "  I  beg  that  you  will  accept 
my  most  heartfelt  thanks,  for  the  devotion  to  the  service 
of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  Gettysburg  mani- 
fested by  the  Christian  Commission  and  its  agents. 
Owing  to  the  military  necessities  of  the  occasion,  the 
suffering  would  have  been  much  greater  than  it  was, 
but  for  the  aid  afforded  the  medical  officers  by  the 
benevolent  individuals  who  came  to  their  assistance." 

In  the  disastrous  movement  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  on  Mine  Run,  in  the  last  days  of  November, 
1863,  the  timely  presence  of  the  Commission's  Delegates 
prevented  much  suffering.  The  army  had  cut  loose 
from  its  base,  hoping  to  establish  a  new  one,  and  no  sup- 
plies were  accessible  except  such  as  were  carried  in  the 
march.  After  a  skirmish,  in  which  the  advance  corps 
was  repulsed  with  severe  loss,  a  general  engagement  was 
not  ventured  upon,  and  the  army  was  compelled  to  find 
its  way  back  to  its  previous  encampment  at  Brandy  Sta- 
tion, in  very  cold  weather  and  over  terrible  roads.  The 
casualties  were  mainly  in  the  Third  Corps.  For  several 
days  the  wounded,  about  six  hundred  in  number,  were 

70 


554  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

largely  dependent  upon  the  little  band  of  Christian 
Commission  Delegates,  and  their  small  stock  of  supplies, 
for  subsistence  and  attention.  The  Surgeon-in-chief  of 
the  Second  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Third  Corps,  Dr. 
Charles  E.  Cady,  wrote  to  the  Chairman, —  "The  wagon 
of  the  Commission  was  constantly  at  the  hospital  in  the 
field,  and  with  the  ambulance  train  during  the  retreat, 
and  your  agents  seemed  indefatigable  in  dispensing 
necessary  food,  medicine,  bandages,  stimulants,  etc.,  to 
our  wounded  and  sick ;  and  I  know  that,  through  their 
enterprise  and  humanity,  a  great  amount  of  suffering 
was  alleviated.  For  six  days  and  nights  your  agents 
were  constantly  employed  in  their  work  of  Christian 
mercy, — six  bitter  cold  days  and  nights  did  they  labor 
without  cessation."  There  was  a  need  of  similar  service, 
and  it  was  similarly  rendered,  in  most  of  the  engage- 
ments of  the  armies  East  and  West,  after  the  Commis- 
sion began  its  active  operations. 

Another  large  class  of  cases  which  required  extra- 
governmental  aid  was  where  the  soldiers  became  sepa- 
rated from  their  regiments.  Under  such  circumstances 
the  soldier  was  shut  off  to  a  great  extent  from  the 
provisions  of  government,  although  there  might  be 
abundance  near  at  hand.  And  necessarily  so.  In  mili- 
tary regulations,  where  subordination  and  responsibility 
are  essential  to  efficiency  and  safety,  the  simple  word  of 
a  soldier  as  to  his  wants  could  gain  no  attention.  He 
must  present  the  requisition  or  order  of  the  proper 
officer.  Without  this  he  must  be  neglected,  even  if  he 
should  die  from  the  neglect.  Otherwise  the  bonds  of 
responsibility  would  be  broken,  discretion  and  not  au- 
thority would  become  the  law  of  the  service,  and  the 


DELEGATES.  555 

army  would  be  hopelessly  demoralized.  And  there 
seems  to  be  no  safe  medium  between  the  most  rigorous 
enforcement  of  these  regulations  and  their  entire  aban- 
donment. Everybody  must  be  held  to  strict  account  for 
his  movements,  or  nobody  can  be.  What  was  popularly 
called  "  red  tape,"  although  at  times  seemingly  cruel, 
and  at  times  also  applied  with  unnecessary  rigor  to  those 
who  were  not  connected  with  the  military  establishment, 
was  the  salvation  of  our  army.  The  only  immediate 
object  of  an  army's  existence  is  the  destruction  of  its 
enemy,  and  whatever  interferes  with  this  must  be  pro- 
hibited. Better  that  many  who  are  in  exceptional  cir- 
cumstances should  perish  than  that  discipline  should  be 
destroyed.  But  these  exceptional  cases,  in  armies  so  im- 
mense, and  covering  such  a  vast  territory,  were  num- 
bered by  hundreds  of  thousands.  Companies  or  squads 
of  men  sent  out  on  special  service,  disabled  men  who 
fell  behind  in  the  march,  furloughed  men  as  they  were 
going  to  or  from  their  homes,1  furnish  familiar  exam- 

1  The  following  incident  was  published  in  the  Philadelphia  Press  of  Sep- 
tember 16,  1864,— where  it  first  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Commission :  — 
"About  three  weeks  ago  the  writer  was  passenger  on  a  West-bound  express 
train  of  the  Pennsylvania  Central.  Among  the  many  passengers  was  a  very 
sick  soldier  and  his  devoted  wife.  She  had  been  watching  with  him  for  weeks 
in  a  hospital  near  Washington  City ;  and,  in  their  anxiety  to  get  home,  they 
had  started  too  soon.  He  seemed  to  sink  with  exhaustion,  until,  unable  to  sit 
alone,  he  reclined  upon  his  wife's  shoulder.  The  wife  wept,  and  those  near 
her  could  scarcely  refrain  from  tears  as  they  looked  upon  the  pale,  emaciated 
soldier  and  his  care-worn  wife.  Presently  a  young,  delicate-looking  man 
approached,  wearing  upon  his  left  breast  the  badge  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. He  entered  into  conversation  with  the  soldier's  wife,  and  soon  manifested 
a  deep  interest  in  her  case  and  that  of  her  sick  husband.  He  aided  in  support- 
ing the  weak  man,  greatly  to  the  relief  of  the  wife.  After  going  a  few  miles, 
at  a  stopping-place  the  Delegate  left  the  car  a  moment,  and  returned  with  a 
good  supply  of  delicacies,  such  as  would  refresh  the  sick  man  and  his  worn-out 
companion.  He  paid  constant  attention  to  the  two,  until,  arriving  at  Pittsburg, 


556  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

pies.  These  men  were  in  frequent  need  of  assistance, — 
as  clothing,  food,  lodging,  and  nursing.  Their  wants 
could  be  properly  met  only  by  a  voluntary  association, 
which,  while  not  interfering  with  army  regulations, 
could  investigate  and  relieve  each  case  upon  its  own 
merits,  and  so  establish  no  precedent  for  government 
nor  embarrass  its  action.  An  apt  illustration,  one 
among  many,  is  given  in  the  operations  of  the  Commis- 
sion at  Cairo.  That  post  was  the  gateway  to  the  armies 
in  the  South.  Multitudes  of  soldiers  were  continually 
passing  to  and  fro.  Many,  on  their  way  home,  were 
destitute  of  everything  except  transportation.  Without 
some  extra-governmental  aid  they  must  have  suffered. 
The  Delegates  of  the  Commission  were  there,  to  hunt 
up,  investigate,  and  relieve  the  cases  of  need.  The  fol- 
lowing is  from  the  report  of  the  agent  at  Cairo,  Mr.  J. 
D.  Wyckoff,  for  a  single  month : — 

In  the  month  of  May,  1865,  93  days'  labor  have  been  bestowed 
upon  this  field.  The  Delegates  have  made  65  visits  to  the  hospitals, 
transports,  gunboats,  and  regiments  here;  preached  12  times,  and 
attended  13  prayer-meetings  outside  the  rooms.  32  letters  have  been 
written  for  those  who  could  not  write  ;  89  have  received  special  aid 
for  their  poor  crippled  bodies;  and  165  have  been  directed  person- 
ally to  the  Great  Physician,  who  can  heal  their  crippled  souls.  Of 

lie  could  go  no  farther  with  them.  He  left  the  car  as  soon  as  it  stopped,  but 
soon  returned,  handing  the  lady  checks  for  her  baggage,  which  he  had  re- 
checked  to  her  order.  Then  he  obtained  help  and  carried  the  sick  soldier  ten- 
derly to  another  train,  and  had  the  two  comfortably  prepared  for  their  journey 
farther.  He  then  offered  the  lady  some  money,  which  she  politely  declined, 
as  not  in  need  of  it.  The  Delegate  of  the  Commission  then  took  leave  of  the 
sick  soldier  and  his  wife,  and  both  wept  tears  of  gratitude,  uttering  their  'God 
bless  you  and  the  Christian  Commission  you  represent.'  I  never  before  knew 
much  of  the  Commission,  nor  did  much  for  it.  Hereafter  I  shall. 

"A  LADY  PASSENGER." 


DELEGATES.  557 

the  3,075  letters  written  in  the  rooms,  1,880  were  stamped  by  the 
Christian  Commission.  We  have  distributed  736  Testaments,  1,627 
hymn-books,  6,225  soldiers'  books,  8,380  pages  tracts,  14,805  religious 
and  secular  papers,  184  quires  of  paper,  and  10,350  envelopes.  We 
have  likewise  given  out  420  shirts,  130  pairs  drawers,  65£  pairs  socks, 
95  housewives,  124  napkins,  75  towels,  25  arm-slings,  50  bottles  cordial 
and  dysentery-cure,  and  76  miscellaneous  articles  and  packages;  be- 
sides 1,538' meal-tickets  to  917  soldiers  and  sailors,  who  represented 
21  different  States. 

The  daily  prayer-meetings  were  full  of  interest,  and  usually  well 
attended,  and  in  them  the  Master  gave  us  many  precious  visits.  I 
shall  never  forget  the  month  of  May,  with  its  thousands  of  sick  and 
wounded  soldiers.  It  was  the  first  great  wave  of  the  homeward  tide. 
Southern  hospitals  were  emptied.  The  doors  of  prisons  viler  than  the 
world  ever  shuddered  at  before  were  thrown  open.  The  worn  and 
scarred  heroes  of  Forts  Spanish  and  Blakely,  at  Mobile,  of  Selma, 
and  that  terrible  march  through  Florida  swamps  to  the  defences  of 
Mobile,  were  released  as  speedily  as  possible,  scarcely  waiting  for 
the  formalities  of  martial  law,  and  all, —  with  what  was  left  of  limb 
and  life, —  turned  homewards,  to  lie  on  the  decks  of  infested  steamers, 
and  ride  in  the  heated  and  dusty  cars,  without  a  cent  of  money,  and 
nothing  to  eat  but  uncooked  rations.  Noble,  uncomplaining  heroes ! 
Their  work  is  done,  and  their  country  will  bless  them  for  it.  Every 
loyal  home  circle  will  build  its  grateful  monumental  altar,  and 
gathering  around  it, — the  fathers  and  the  children  and  the  children's 
children, —  with  tears  and  benedictions,  they  will  bless  our  "brave 
boys  in  blue."  May  God  bless  them  too ! 

This  aspect  of  the  Commission's  work,  as  a  voluntary 
relief  agency,  through  the  ministrations  of  its  Delegates, 
is  clearly  presented  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Smith,  in  a  commu- 
nication to  Mr.  Stuart,  dated  February  13,  1865,  as 
follows: — 

It  is  possible  that  the  observation  of  one  of  your  agents,  more  than 
two  years  in  the  field  where  your  stores  have  been  distributed  directly 
to  the  soldiers,  may  be  of  service  to  you  in  forming  your  own  estimate, 
and  helping  others  to  appreciate  the  need  of  volunteer  aid  to  soldiers 


558  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

outside  the  military  channels.  It  is  not  true  that  such  outside  aid  is 
indispensable  to  the  prosecution  of  the  Avar.  The  history  of  the 
endurance  and  privations  of  our  soldiers  has  shown  that  nothing  is 
absolutely  essential.  They  can  mareh  barefooted,  go  on  quarter 
rations,  lie  days  and  nights  in  their  wounds  and  blood  when  they 
fall,  uncared  for,  and  still  the  campaigns  go  on.  They  endure  it  and 
keep  in  the  ranks,  or  they  fall  out  and  go  to  the  hospital,  disabled  for 
life,  or  they  die,  and  recruits  take  their  place  in  the  ranks,  and  the 
fight  goes  on.  The  exact  statement  is,  not  that  volunteer  aid  is  essen- 
tial to  our  army,  but  that,  without  interrupting  army  movements,  it 
saves  a  vast  amount  of  individual  suffering  and  many  lives.  The 
argument  is  not,  that  the  rebellion  could  not  be  conquered  without 
it,  but  that  with  it  we  can  bring  untold  relief  to  men  who  would 
otherwise  suffer  and  die  as  the  natural  result  of  military  hardships 
and  privations. 

Nor  does  this  arise  from  any  poverty  in  government  supplies,  or 
indifference  to  the  comfort  of  the  soldiers.  It  comes  from  the  exi- 
gencies of  military  operations.  There  is  no  arm  of  the  service  so 
essential  to  its  very  life  as  "  red  tape."  Officials  must  be  held  to  strict 
accountability  in  the  use  of  government  property,  and  no  discretion- 
ary power  granted.  A  quartermaster  cannot  issue  a  sheet  or  a 
blanket  to  a  man  because  he  is  freezing,  nor  a  commissary  give 
rations  to  a  man  simply  because  he  has  not  had  food  for  forty-eight 
hours.  The  official  must  have  a  voucher,  and  the  shiver  and  hunger 
of  a  soldier  will  not  make  one. 

Here  is  a  man,  for  instance  (and  I  cite  this  as  one  in  a  thousand 
like  it,  in  everything  essential  for  the  illustration,  that  have  come 
under  my  own  eye),  in  the  Zollicoffer  Barracks  at  Nashville.  He 
has  just  come  from  the  hospital.  You  see  at  a  glance  that  he  is  only 
a  convalescent.  You  know  that,  by  a  general  order,  the  hospitals 
have  just  been  cleared  to  make  room  for  freshly-arrived  men.  This 
man,  among  others,  has  been  sent  away  in  the  exigency.  He  lost  his 
knapsack  when  he  was  carried  from  the  field  to  the  hospital,  and  on 
his  partial  recovery  he  comes  to  these  cold  barracks  without  bed,  or 
blanket,  or  overcoat,  and  to-morrow  he  is  to  go  out  into  the  fortifica- 
tions on  garrison  duty,  while  the  able-bodied  men  join  in  the  chase 
for  Hood.  There  are  ten  thousand  shirts  and  blankets  at  the  quarter- 
master's, within  a  block  of  the  barracks,  but  he  cannot  draw  one 


DELEGATES.  559 

There  is  no  possibility  for  that  soldier  to  get  a  shirt  or  a  blanket  till 
he  shall  reach  his  regiment.  But  that  is  fifty  miles  away,  and 
hurrying  on  still  farther.  The  soldier  is  in  no  condition  to  join  them, 
and  would  die  in  the  attempt.  The  government  could  not  provide 
for  such  an  emergency  without  giving  an  official  discretionary  power 
to  issue  as  needy  cases  may  arise,  and  that  would  give  an  open  door 
to  an  unlimited  corruption.  I  have  a  quilt  on  hand,  sent  by  some 
aid  society,  and  a  blanket,  and  give  at  once,  just  as  you  would  do  in 
Philadelphia  after  you  have  satisfied  yourself  of  the  need  of  a  sufferer. 
Without  that  personal  aid  the  convalescent  would  have  gone  back  to 
the  hospital  in  two  days,  and  with  a  relapse  of  his  fever  or  diarrhoea, 
and  perhaps  a  few  days  would  have  found  his  name  on  the  record  of 
the  soldiers'  cemetery.  These  cases  are  occurring  all  along  the  line. 
They  turn  up  at  all  our  stations,  sometimes  by  the  dozen  and  hun- 
dred in  a  day. 

In  the  time  of  battle  the  volunteer  assistant  fills  a  much  more  im- 
portant gap  in  supplies  for  the  comfort  of  the  men.  The  hospital 
wagon,  which  contains  the  medical  stores,  instruments,  hospital 
furniture,  and  supplies  of  a  brigade  or  division  of  men,  is  drawn  by 
four  horses,  and  cannot  safely  take  on  more  than  1,500  or  2,000 
pounds,  often  not  over  1,200.  That  division  is  liable  to  be  drawn 
into  a  severe  fight,  like  that  of  Hatcher's  Run  last  week,  and  may 
lose  in  wounded,  in  a  few  hours,  500  or  1,000  men.  There  is  no  pos- 
sible method  by  which  the  division  hospital  can  be  prepared  for  such 
an  emergency,  without  being  heavily  laden  with  baggage  wagons, 
such  as  would  greatly  encumber  armv  movements.  The  result 
inevitably  is,  that  those  men  are  brought  in,  sometimes  after  lying 
all  night  on  the  field,  and  receive  such  rations  as  can  be  found  in  the 
knapsacks  of  the  soldiers.  There  is  nothing  in  which  to  make  a 
supply  of  coffee  or  soup,  even  if  the  materials  were  at  hand.  There 
are  not  shirts  or  socks  to  take  the  place  of  those  soaked  in  blood  or  cut 
from  mangled  limbs.  The  men  must  wait  until  they  can  be  taken 
back  from  this  flying  hospital  and  put  in  comfortable  quarters,  and 
be  nursed  in  the  regular  way,  where  all  issues  to  them  can  be  per- 
fectly vouched  for.  Oftentimes  they  must  be  carried,  hungry  and 
faint,  to  wait  their  time  on  the  operating  table.  Just  here  conies  our 
supply  wagon,  which  is  foot-loose,  and  can  go  from  one  division  to 
another,  wherever  the  call  is,  and  if  necessary  all  the  wagons  we  have 


560  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

in  the  army  can  be  brought  up,  and  all  the  force  of  a  hundred  Dele- 
gates given  to  that  division.  The  government  cannot  do  that,  with- 
out having  just  such  men  and  a  dozen  hospital  wagons  to  follow  with 
each  armjr  division,  and  then  it  will  be  obliged  to  violate  a  funda- 
mental rule  and  give  discretionary  power  to  those  in  charge  of  stores. 

Ill  the  fight  before  Nashville,  at  five  of  the  flying  hospitals,  the 
men  were  all  fed  by  the  Commission  from  two  to  three  and  four  days. 
There  was  no  other  provision  for  them,  except  the  rations  which  the 
wounded  men  brought  from  the  battle-field  in  their  haversacks,  not 
enough  for  one  meal  even  of  that  sort  of  food.  A  hospital  cannot 
purchase  any  delicacies  until  a  hospital  fund  is  accumulated  through 
the  commutation  of  rations,  and  that  fund  is  not  available  till  the  end 
of  the  first  month.  Many  of  the  hospitals  in  the  field  are  temporary, 
and  may  be  broken  up  before  the  proceeds  from  a  fund  are  realized. 
In  such  cases  every  can  of  milk  or  fruit  given  by  us  is  so  much  extra 
to  their  means  of  comfort.  Without  some  such  outside  aid  they 
could  have  had  nothing  of  the  kind. 

I  give  these  instances  to  show  that  with  stores  in  hand,  and  a  de- 
sire to  help  others,  we  cannot  but  save  distress  of  the  severest  kind, 
and  very  many  lives  otherwise  lost  to  friends  and  country.  It  is  my 
sober  conviction  that,  with  comparatively  slight  discount,  the  relief- 
stores  sent  to  the  field  are  just  so  much  added  to  the  physical  com- 
fort of  men  who,  at  the  best,  suffer  beyond  anything  that  friends  at 
home  can  be  made  to  believe,  and  very  often  it  is  a  relief  applied  at 
the  point  where  life  and  death  are  in  the  scale  for  decision. 

The  manner  in  which  the  Commission  grew  into  this 
position  of  a  voluntary  Christian  relief  agency  is  thus 
described  in  the  closing  Annual  Report :  — 

The  Commission  felt  at  the  first  that  the  work  undertaken  was 
unique.  Experience  in  other  benevolent  organizations  could  furnish 
little  guide  here,  and  consequently  they  were  obliged  to  begin  the  field 
work  with  no  prescribed  plan  or  method,  except  that  it  should  be 
Christian,  and  in  accordance  with  Christian  precept  should  do  good 
to  all  as  there  was  opportunity,  by  ministering  to  the  want  of  every 
soldier  and  sailor  that  could  be  relieved.  The  idea  of  direct  relief, 
of  sending  men  to  distribute  the  gifts  from  home  in  person  to  the 


DELEGATES.  561 

suffering  men,  soon  appears  prominent.  Then  the  volunteer  system 
of  unpaid  labor,  for  a  term  not  less  than  six  weeks,  is  adopted,  first 
for  its  economy,  but  is  afterwards  continued  for  its  efficiency  and 
adaptation  to  the  peculiarity  of  the  work. 

It  was  found  by  experience  that  nothing  was  more  needed  by  the 
soldier,  in  his  long  absence  from  home,  than  these  fresh  invoices  of 
home-feeling, —  the  piety  and  solicitude  of  the  sanctuary  and  fireside 
brought  to  the  field  by  these  frequent  changes  of  Delegates ;  and  it 
was  soon  found  that  friends  at  home  desired  nothing  so  much  as  the 
fresh,  reliable  pictures,  by  those  returned  laborers,  of  a  soldier's 
trials,  and  his  gratitude  and  readiness  to  receive  religious  truth. 
There  was  a  manifest  disadvantage  in  this  constant  introduction  of 
new  workers  to  the  field,  but  it  was  more  than  compensated  by  the 
fact  that  they  were  new.  Their  freshness  in  strength  and  zeal  and 
enthusiasm,  and  especially  in  sympathy  for  the  suffering,  more  than 
duplicated  their  power. 

Our  experience  in  the  field  has  justified  the  three  distinguishing 
characteristics  of  the  labor  of  the  Christian  Commission  as  a  relief 
agency  for  the  army,  viz.,  that  it  should  be  direct,  voluntary,  and 
Christian.  The  organization  of  our  field  labor,  under  the  direction 
of  the  field  agents,  grew  from  first  to  last  into  compactness  and 
system, —  but  always  around  these  three  characteristics  of  the  relief 
undertaken,  that  it  should  be  personal,  without  pay,  and  Christian. 

A  permanent  general  field  agent  in  each  army,  with  his  assistants, 
one  or  two  in  each  army  corps,  have  been  sufficient  to  give  direction 
and  control  to  all  the  Delegates  who  volunteered  their  services  for 
the  term  of  six  weeks.  The  character  of  the  Delegates,  for  the  most 
part  earnest,  responsible  men,  fresh  in  strength  and  zeal,  coming  out 
at  a  sacrifice,  and  with  a  corresponding  mind  to  work,  made  the 
duty  of  directing  so  many,  even  in  untried  labor,  comparatively 
<-u<v.  Thus,  on  an  average,  through  the  permanent  services  of  each 
agent,  we  have  made  available  volunteer  labor  equivalent  to  the  con- 
tinuous services  of  eight  men  ;  and  from  the  five  thousand  volunteers 
thus  directed  we  have  secured  the  choicest  talent  and  piety  of  the 
land,  and  in  many  instances  such  services  as  could  have  been 
secured  on  no  other  plan.  The  amount  of  unpaid  labor  thus  brought 
to  the  array  is  equivalent  to  the  labor  of  one  man  for  more  than  five 
hundred  years. 


562  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  second  characteristic  of  the  relief,  personality,  has  also  justi- 
fied itself.  It  is  better  to  go  to  a  man  in  trouble  than  to  send  to 
him.  The  people  could  not  go,  nor  could  the  family  friends.  The 
Delegates  of  the  Commission  were  the  family  representatives.  That 
spirit  was  constantly  inculcated,  that  the  Delegate  was  the  father  or 
brother  of  every  soldier  he  met,  and  what  the  absent  one  would  do, 
if  in  his  place,  that  he  was  to  do ;  and  it  has  been  extremely  gratify- 
ing to  see  how  generally  and  thoroughly  this  feeling  has  prevailed 
among  the  Delegates,  and  how  readily  it  has  been  detected  by  the 
soldiers,  until  the  badge  of  the  Commission  became  an  invitation  to 
the  soldier  to  tell  all  his  troubles  even  to  a  stranger,  and  oftentimes 
to  commit  his  watch  and  purse  to  that  stranger's  care  without  taking 
a  receipt  or  asking  his  name.  It  was  this  personal  relief  that  was 
needed  to  supplement  provision  made  by  the  government  for  the 
wants  of  a  great  army.  It  was  not  that  the  government  could  not 
afford  the  expense  of  comforts  and  delicacies,  but  because  it  could 
not  give  the  personal  attention  necessary  to  individual  cases.  Regu- 
lations provide  abundantly  for  the  army  as  a  whole.  But  in  a 
million  of  men,  amid  the  shifting  emergencies  of  campaigns,  there 
will  be  exceptional  cases  of  so  large  a  variety  that  no  regulation 
can  provide  for  all.  It  is  for  these  exceptional  cases  that  army  relief 
is  needed,  and  they  are  to  be  relieved,  not  according  to  classified 
rules.  Their  wants  and  conditions  are  so  peculiar  that  classification 
is  impossible,  else  the  government  would  have  given  the  relief. 
They  can  be  reached  only  by  the  ministrations  of  a  friend  giving 
himself  personally  to  the  work,  and  having  within  his  reach  the 
appropriate  means.  And  it  was  to  this  personal  relief  that  each 
Delegate  was  commissioned,  in  the  name  of  the  friends  he  repre- 
sented and  whose  tokens  of  love  he  bore  to  the  camp  and  hospital. 
This  absence  of  constraining  rules,  and  consequent  freedom  of  action 
by  the  Delegates,  for  cases  where  necessary  military  rule  had  made 
the  suffering,  gave  the  Commission  its  peculiar  power.  In  any  ques- 
tion of  supply  the  Delegate  was  enjoined  to  see  what  the  soldier  needed, 
and  then  to  see  that  he  got  it. 

Of  the  third  characteristic  little  need  be  said.  Piety  is  certainly 
no  disqualification  for  disbursing  public  benefactions  at  discretion, 
and  when  in  the  nature  of  the  disbursement  no  satisfactory  vouchers 
can  be  given.  The  mode  of  bestowal  will  often  double  the  value  of 


DELEGATES.  563 

the  gift.  Said  a  Wisconsin  soldier  in  our  rooms  at  Chattanooga, 
"  These  socks  warm  a  fellow  before  he  gets  them  on."  How  is  that? 
"  The  way  he  gets  them."  Often  have  soldiers  read  on  our  board  at 
Nashville,  "  If  you  are  in  trouble  speak  to  any  man  with  the 
badge, — he  is  looking  for  you,"  and  wiped  tears  from  eyes  that  have 
looked  death  in  the  face  without  a  quiver.  Other  things  being  equal, 
a  Christian  is  the  better  man  to  go  to  the  suffering.  True  piety  will 
give  a  gentler  touch  to  the  hand  that  washes  a  wound  and  ties  a 
bandage.  It  makes  counsel  more  effective,  and  finds  more  readily 
the  hidden  channels  of  sympathy.  It  makes  the  agent  or  Delegate 
a  better  representative  of  home, — any  home,  Christian  or  not.  To 
say  this  is  not  bigotry ;  it  is  loyalty  to  Christ  and  his  truth.1 

There  are  various  ways  in  which  the  attempt  might 
be  made  to  estimate  the  labors  and  influence  of  the 
Commission's  five  thousand  Delegates  in  the  army.  It 
might  be  said  that  their  labors  were  equal  to  the  con- 
tinuous labor  of  one  man  for  more  than  five  hundred 
years ;  that  they  distributed  among  more  than  two  mil- 
lions of  soldiers  the  contents  of  ninety-five  thousand 
packages  of  stores  and  publications ;  that  these  distribu- 
tions included  nearly  a  million  and  a  half  of  Scriptures, 
more  than  a  million  of  hymn-books,  more  than  eight 
millions  of  knapsack  books,  nearly  three  hundred  thou- 
sand bound  library  books,  nearly  eight  hundred  thou- 
sand magazines  and  pamphlets,  more  than  eighteen 
million  copies  of  religious  newspapers,  and  more  than 
thirty-nine  million  pages  of  tracts ;  it  might  be  said  that 
these  men  preached  more  than  fifty-eight  thousand 
sermons,  held  more  than  seventy-seven  thousand  prayer- 
meetings,  and  wrote  more  than  ninety-two  thousand 
soldiers'  letters.  And  yet  these  vast  figures,  with  the 
eminently  Christian  work  which  they  represent,  are  but 

1  Fourth  Annual  Report,  pp.  19-22. 


564  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

hints  of  the  truth  which  they  vainly  endeavor  to  ex- 
press. The  presence  in  the  army  of  such  a  body  of 
Christian  men, — giving  themselves  day  and  night,  with- 
out fee  or  reward,  for  the  comfort  and  encouragement  of 
the  wounded,  weary,  and  sick, — was  itself  an  influence 
of  incalculable  power.  One  must  bring  before  the  mind 
the  peculiar  conditions  of  army  life, — the  idle  monotony 
of  the  camp,  the  lonely  weariness  of  the  march,  the 
excitement  of  battle,  the  pain  and  solitariness  of  the 
hospital,  with  no  sound  or  sight  or  association  of  home, — 
in  order  to  appreciate  the  good  effected  by  the  simple 
presence  of  these  representatives  of  Christian  homes 
and  sanctuaries.  When  a  soldier  passed  within  army 
lines  for  the  first  time,  his  feelings  were  akin  to  the 
home-sickness  of  one  who  enters  a  foreign  country.  In 
addition  to  the  perils  of  war,  which  compelled  him  to 
think  that  he  might  never  return,  he  was  no  longer  his 
own  master.  His  going  and  coming  must  henceforth 
be  at  the  bidding  of  another.  It  was  inevitable  that 
memories  and  longings  should  be  awakened  of  whose 
power  he  himself  had  never  dreamed,  and  it  was  an 
unspeakable  relief  for  him  to  meet  with  some  one,  fresh 
from  the  scenes  of  peace,  in  citizen's  dress,  wearing  a 
pleasant,  home-like  face,  unconnected  with  official  routine 
and  authority,  to  whom  he  could  unburden  his  feelings 
and  from  whom  he  could  receive  timely  sympathy  and 
counsel.  It  was  the  custom  of  the  Commission,  as  far 
as  consistent  with  the  exigencies  of  the  service,  to  send 
Delegates  among  the  troops  from  their  own  communities. 
Thus  soldiers  were  often  cheered  by  the  sight  of  their 
loved  pastor,  or  some  well-known  Christian  friend,  or  at 
least  some  one  who  was  familiar  with  their  neighbor- 


DELEGATES.  565 

hood.  These  visits  at  once  opened  the  soldiers'  hearts  to 
deeds  of  kindness  and  words  of  Christian  exhortation, 
and  were  sure  to  prepare  the  way  for  many  inquiries  after 
friends  and  many  messages  to  be  carried  back  to  them. 
Very  often  such  Delegates  were  "agents  of  exchange" 
between  the  soldiers  and  their  homes,  for  letters,  photo- 
graphs, and  other  mementos  of  mutual  love.  Many  a 
man  in  hospital,  sick  rather  in  heart  than  in  body, 
despondently  refusing  both  medicine  and  food,  has 
rallied  and  recovered  under  the  gentle  words  and  minis- 
trations of  some  newly-arrived  Christian  Delegate. 
Many  a  reckless  soldier,  surprised  at  his  own  wicked- 
ness, but  unable  to  resist  the  influences  which  environed 
him,  has  been  checked  in  his  course,  and  won  to  Christ, 
by  the  kind  assurances  that  loved  ones  at  home  were 
thinking  of  him  and  praying  for  him,  and  that  they 
had  sent  to  him  these  messages  and  messengers  of  their 
love.  "  We  are  very  sorry,  but  we  can  do  nothing  for 
you,"  said  the  Delegates  to  a  man  who  had  given  them 
an  account  of  his  troubles.  "  I  know  you  can  do  noth- 
ing," was  his  reply  ;  "  but  I  knew  it  would  do  me  good 
to  talk  them  over  with  you."  Said  a  soldier,  in  visiting 
a  Commission  station,  "There  is  one  thing  we  can  always 
get  from  you  gentlemen,  and  that  is  sympathy."  Said 
a  poor  and  ignorant  boy,  dying  in  hospital,  to  an  aged 
Delegate  who  was  endeavoring  to  encourage  him  with 
Christ's  promises,  "  Old  man,  your  words  will  do  me 
more  good  than  the  doctors  will."  Said  Major-General 
Crittenden  to  Mr.  Isaac  Russell,  of  Louisville,  "  Tell 
the  churches  to  send  to  the  army,  by  Christian  volun- 
teers, fresh  invoices  of  home  religion,  and  they  will  do 
more  to  conquer  this  rebellion  than  by  reinforcing  us 


566  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

with  recruits."  It  has  been  frequently  remarked  by 
competent  observers,  that  it  is  doubtful  whether  either 
the  country  or  the  army  would  have  endured  the  pro- 
tracted trial  and  struggle  of  the  war,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  moral  and  religious  influence  exerted  at  home  and 
in  the  field  through  the  Christian  Commission.  It  is 
of  course  impossible  to  prove  such  a  statement,  nor  is 
it  designed  to  claim  an  undue  importance  for  the 
Commission.  It  is  only  intended  to  suggest  that  the 
Commission,  especially  through  the  agency  of  its  multi- 
tude of  Delegates,  was  the  channel  of  reciprocal  influ- 
ences, between  the  soldiers  and  the  people,  by  which 
both  were  morally  elevated,  encouraged,  and  sustained. 

For  the  Delegates  were  not  simply  representatives 
among  the  soldiers  of  the  homes  and  churches  far 
away;  they  became  also  among  those  churches  and 
homes  the  representatives  of  the  distant  soldiers. 
They  not  only  carried  expressions  of  sympathy  and 
substantial  relief  to  the  absent,  but  they  returned,  as 
has  been  said,  with  many  mementos  and  expressions  of 
reciprocal  affection.  It  was  something  to  assure  the 
soldier  that  he  was  thought  of  and  prayed  for ;  it  was 
much  more  oftentimes  to  hear  the  soldier,  by  his  camp- 
fire,  in  the  chapel  tent,  or  in  the  ward  of  the  hospital, 
pray  for  those  who  loved  and  prayed  for  him.  If  a  rich 
tide  of  Christian  feeling  and  beneficence  set  in  toward 
the  army,  a  still  richer  tide  of  responsive  gratitude  and 
devotion  rolled  back  over  the  nation.  In  truth,  the 
nation  and  the  army  were  one, — the  soldiers  were  citi- 
zens in  military  dress  and  doing  military  duty,  and  the 
citizens  were  soldiers'  assistants,  working  in  person  or 
by  proxy  wherever  they  could  be  most  eflective,— all 


DELEGATES.  567 

laboring  and  suffering  for  the  same  end  and  from  the 
same  motive,  "  that  this  nation,  under  God,  might  have 
a  new  birth  of  freedom,  and  that  government  of  the 
people,  by  the  people,  and  for  the  people,  might  not 
perish  from  the  earth."  The  Delegates  of  the  Christian 
Commission  did  much  to  nourish  and  strengthen  this 
unanimity  of  sentiment  and  activity.  They  went  from 
all  parts  of  the  country  into  the  army,  and  on  their  re- 
turn they  told  what  they  had  seen  and  heard.  They 
delivered  as  many  sermons  and  addresses  about  the 
soldiers  as  they  had  previously  delivered  to  them,  and  so 
there  was  everywhere  diffused  a  common  sentiment  and 
a  common  purpose.  The  Christian  pulpit  had  been  an 
important  agency  in  preparing  the  nation  for  the  war, 
and  it  was  equally  influential  in  sustaining  and  guiding 
public  feeling  throughout  the  struggle.  No  careful 
historian  can  adequately  explain  the  uprising,  endu- 
rance, benevolence,  and  success  of  the  American  people 
in  the  great  rebellion,  without  assigning  a  prominent 
place  to  that  deep  and  widespread  religious  feeling  of 
which  the  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission  were 
at  once  the  exponents  and  the  agents. 

The  work  of  the  Commission  was  exclusively,  in  spirit 
and  aim,  a  religious  work.  It  is  by  this  avowal,  made 
at  the  outset  and  always  adhered  to,  that  they  wish  to  be 
estimated  and  judged.  What  was  done  for  the  bodily 
and  intellectual  welfare  of  the  soldiers  was  the  offspring 
of  religious  motives.  Patriotism  and  philanthropy  are 
prominent  among  Christian  virtues,  although  feebler 
and  less  pure  forms  of  them  may  exist  apart  from  Chris- 
tianity. But  above  this,  the  Commission  felt  that  the 
soldiers  were  sinful,  accountable,  and  immortal  men. 


568  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

They  felt  that  only  the  blood  of  Christ  can  save  the  soul, 
and  that  for  the  soldiers,  as  for  all  others,  repentance 
toward  God  and  faith  toward  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are 
essential  to  salvation.  "  Had  there  been  no  interest  of 
the  soldier  demanding  our  sympathy  but  the  welfare  of 
his  body,  the  Christian  Commission  would  never  have 
been  formed.  It  stands  before  Christendom  as  a  monu- 
ment of  the  faith  of  the  American  Church  in  the  great 
doctrine  of  man's  ruin,  and  the  great  fact  of  God's  com- 
plete salvation.  It  is  a  testimony  to  all  the  earth,  that 
Jesus  Christ  hath  come  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  ; 
that  a  man  must  be  born  again,  or  he  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  God.  It  hath  arisen  that  it  may  go  down 
to  the  soldier,  to  tell  him  of  his  need  of  a  Saviour ;  to 
tell  him  of  his  need  of  the  renewing  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  to  lead  him  to  repent  of  his  sins,  trust  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  find  peace,  comfort,  joy,  and 
hope  in  believing."  l  Hence  the  requirement  that  the 
Delegates  of  the  Commission  should  be  Christian  men, — 
members  in  good  standing  of  evangelical  churches.2  For 
they  were,  first  of  all,  to  remember  the  spiritual  neces- 
sities of  those  to  whom  they  ministered.  They  were  to 
carry  "  home  comforts  to  the  homeless,  friendly  counsels 
to  the  friendless,  and  gospel  messages  to  the  Christless," — 
and  this  last  department  of  their  service  was  the  highest. 
It  was  an  important  and  religious  duty  to  assist  the 

1  Kev.  J.  T.  Duryea's  Address  at  Christian  Commission  meeting,  New  York 
City,  March  19,  1865. 

2  It  will  readily  be  admitted  that  there  were  among  such  church  members 
many  persons  unsuitable  for  Christian  Commission  work,  and  that  many  per- 
sons suitable  for  much  of  the  work  were  not  members  of  any  church  ;  but  the 
Commission  could  not  attempt  to  decide  upon  individual  cases,  and  hence  the 
above  rule  was  the  only  one  practicable  under  the  circumstances. 


DELEGATES.  569 

wounded,  feed  the  hungry,  clothe  the  naked,  and  relieve 
the  sick ;  but  it  was  even  more  important  that,  while  these 
Christian  offices  were  being  performed,  the  Christian 
disciple  should  be  instructed  and  encouraged,  and  the 
sinner  led  to  his  Saviour.  Hence  the  arrangements  for 
circulating  religious  literature  in  so  many  forms  and  in 
such  large  quantities,  and  for  holding  religious  meetings 
with  the  utmost  frequency  and  at  every  possible  point. 

The  gratuity  of  the  Commission's  services  and  bene- 
factions must  not  be  overlooked  in  estimating  the  ele- 
ments of  its  strength  and  success.  There  could  be  no 
doubt  in  this  case  of  the  duty  and  propriety  of  gratuitous 
benevolence.1  Indeed,  the  feeling  of  the  people  was  that 
they  oived  to  the  army  all  that  could  possibly  be  done  for 
it,  and  that  hence  their  benefactions  were  not  so  much  a 
gift  as  a  debt  of  love.  The  soldiers  received  these 
services  in  a  like  spirit,  for  they  were  the  services  of 
brothers  and  friends,  and  were  as  free  from  the  taint  of 
mercenary  considerations  as  the  sweet  courtesies  of  home. 
And  so  this  entire  charity  was  of  that  quality  which  is 
twice  blessed.  Said  a  modest  German  soldier,  suffering 
from  rheumatism,  to  a  Delegate  in  Alexandria,  "  I 
should  like  a  flannel  shirt,  sir;  but  I  don't  exactly  like 
to  be  begging  for  it."  "  Begging  for  it ! "  was  the  .reply ; 
"  why,  my  dear  sir,  these  things  are  not  ours,  but  yours, 
and  we  are  simply  sent  here  to  see  that  you  get  them." 
The  poor  fellow  was  almost  cured  of  his  rheumatism 
before  he  left  the  room.  It  gave  the  Commission  great 

1  A  living  English  writer,  familiar  with  the  difficulties  which  beset  a  wise 
administration  of  benevolence,  saVs:  — "I  believe,  with  the  whole  might  of  my 
convictions,  that  for  human  creatures  to  help  one  another  freely,  when  that 
love  which  is  the  bread  of  life  is  given  together  with  the  bread  that  perisheth, 
honors  both  the  giver  and  receiver,  and  can  be  degrading  to  none." 
72 


570  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

advantage  at  every  point,  that  their  stores  were  free  and 
their  Delegates  were  laboring  without  pay.  Subordinate 
officers  were  more  prompt  in  their  co-operation  and  the 
confidence  of  the  soldiers  was  more  readily  secured. 
Said  the  forwarding  agent  of  a  military  railroad  to  a 
Delegate,  "  You  must  be  making  a  great  deal  of  money 
in  the  army."  "Why  so?"  "We  forward  a  great 
many  boxes  for  you."  "  But  we  sell  nothing ;  these 
boxes  are  the  free  gifts  of  the  people  at  home,  and  are 
freely  distributed  by  the  Commission  to  every  man  that 
needs."  "  Is  that  the  way  you  do  it  ?  Whenever  I  can 
serve  you,  let  me  know."  And  when  the  soldiers  saw 
that  the  Delegates  were  ready  to  perform  any  needed 
service,  however  menial  and  laborious,  although  they 
were,  for  the  most  part,  men  unaccustomed  to  manual 
toil, — and  the  more  earnest  in  their  service  because  it 
was  as  free  as  the  love  which  prompted  it, — it  is  not 
strange  that  the  most  reluctant  hearts  were  opened.1 

1  Rev.  David  Weston,  who  labored  in  the  "  Old  Factory  "  at  Fredericksburg, 
in  the  spring  of  1864,  when  the  city  was  full  of  wounded,  gives  this  account  of 
the  method  and  effect  of  their  working:  — "In  the  early  morning,  filling  our 
haversacks,  pockets,  and  hands  with  medicines,  delicacies  of  food,  articles  of 
clothing,  writing-paper,  envelopes,  Testaments,  and  other  religious  books, 
pamphlets,  papers,  tracts,  and  whatever  else  we  had  found  to  be  needful,  we 
would  hasten  to  our  places  of  labor.  First,  we  would  do  what  we  could  for  the 
comfort  of  the  body,—  washing  and  dressing  the  wounds,  washing  the  faces, 
hands,  and  bodies,  changing  the  clothing,  giving  medicine  and  food  such  as 
sick  men  need,  changing  the  position,  trying  in  every  way  to  make  the  wounded 
heroes  comfortable  and  cheerful.  The  surgeons  and  nurses  welcomed  us,  and 
co-operated  with  us,  for  their  work  was  hard,  and  their  hospital  stores  nearly- 
exhausted,  and  for  several  days  they  shared  with  us  their  own  rations,  rather 
than  suffer  us  to  walk  in  the  hot  sun  to  the  Commission  rooms,  nearly  a  mile, 
for  our  dinner.  After  doing  what  we  could-  for  the  comfort  of  the  body,  we 
would  bring  in  our  books  and  tracts,  and  distribute  to  the  wounded  men,  write 
letters  for  them  to  friends  at  home,  talk  to  them  of  Jesus  and  of  their  own  souls, 
read  to  them  from  the  Bible,  and  pray  with  them.  There  was  no  difficulty  in 


DELEGATES.  571 

Many  such  instances  have  been  given.  Especially  in 
their  distinctive  work  of  presenting  the  gospel,  publicly 
and  privately,  the  Delegates  found  their  timely  and 
gratuitous  labors  the  best  introduction.  The  man  who, 
in  an  hour  of  extreme  need,  had  been  fed  and  nursed, 
was  glad  to  talk  with  his  benefactor  about  the  wants  of 
his  soul  and  the  provision  for  them  in  Jesus  Christ. 
The  Delegate  could  not  well  speak  of  the  soul  until  he 
had  cared  for  the  suffering  body,  but  when  that  was 
done  the  soldiers  uniformly  expected  and  welcomed 
religious  conversation.  On  taking  the  steamer  at 
Fortress  Monroe  for  Baltimore,  late  one  evening,  a 
Delegate  found  one  of  those  pitiful  cases  which  were  not 
uncommon  during  the  war.  A  soldier  had  been  brought 
on  board  from  the  hospital,  and  was  lying  on  the  bare 
floor  of  the  upper  saloon.  His  wounded  right  arm, 
severely  inflamed,  was  swollen  to  thrice  its  natural  size, 
while  the  rest  of  his  body  was  wasted  to  a  skeleton  from 
the  long  prostration  that  had  followed  his  injury.  He 
was  in  charge  of  a  brother,  who  had  watched  with  him 
at  the  hospital  until  he  was  weary  and  sick,  and  now 

approaching  them,  learning  the  feelings  of  their  hearts,  and  impressing  them 
with  the  importance  of  eternal  things.  They  were  ready  and  ever  eager  to 
hear.  The  fearful  scenes  they  had  witnessed,  the  dangers  they  had  met,  the 
sufferings  they  had  endured,  had  softened  and  subdued  them,  and  already 
directed  the  thoughts  of  many  to  the  interests  of  their  souls.  Many  were  near 
to  death  and  felt  the  need  of  salvation.  Besides  this,  all  felt  that  we  had  done 
them  good.  They  could  not  but  respect  that  religion  that  had  prompted  the 
benevolence  to  which  they  owed  so  much ;  they  could  not  but  listen  to  us  as  we 
urged  its  claims  upon  them.  I  heard  no  sneer  at  religion,  Christians,  or  the 
church.  The  comforts  which  they  all  enjoyed  had  demonstrated  to  them  that 
religion  was  not  all  emptiness.  The  Spirit  of  God  was  there,  impressing  all 
these  thoughts  upon  them,  and  making  it  easy  and  pleasant  work  for  us  to 
labor  for  their  souls.  Often  they  would  call,  or  send  for  us,  to  come  and  talk 
with  them." 


572  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

they  were  endeavoring  to  get  home,  although  unfit  to 
travel,  lest  longer  delay  should  render  the  attempt  im- 
possible. The  Delegate  easily  enlisted  the  assistance  of 
others,  procured  a  comfortable  mattrass,  placed  the  in- 
valid upon  it,  provided  such  things  as  were  necessary 
and  practicable,  and  then,  taking  his  place  as  nurse  and 
watcher,  told  the  brother  to  give  himself  to  rest  and 
sleep  until  the  boat  reached  Baltimore.  It  required 
neither  much  effort  nor  many  words  to  commend  the 
Divine  Saviour  and  Friend  to  that  lonely  and  listening 
boy,  during  the  wakeful  hours  of  the  night. 

The  circumstances  of  their  peculiar  position  among 
the  soldiers  made  the  Delegates  watchful  to  use  every 
opportunity  for  religious  exhortation  and  instruction. 
Their  Christian  character  and  the  special  reason  of  their 
presence  in  the  army  were  well  known,  and  they  were 
careful  that  the  men  should  not  be  in  doubt  either  of 
their  motives  or  their  errand.  The  officers  were  usually 
as  ready  to  co-operate  in  the  religious  features  of  the 
work  as  in  any  other.  Said  a  surgeon  in  the  Wash- 
ington House  Hospital,  the  largest  in  Hagerstown,  to 
Kev.  Mr.  Hotchkin,  "  I  have  work  here,  in  these  severe 
surgical  cases,  to  keep  me  busy  the  whole  day;  but  I 
will  stop,  to  give  you  time  for  worship,  any  hour  you 
wish.  It  will  be  good  for  the  men."  And  the  Dele- 
gates showed  tact  and  facility  in  making  current  inci- 
dents and  occasions  contribute  to  the  end  which  they 
had  most  at  heart,  often  with  immediate  and  happy 
results.  Mr.  Hotchkin,  oh  the  occasion  just  referred  to, 
spoke  to  his  company  of  mangled  hearers  about  "Christ, 
the  Great  Physician,  whose  exceeding  excellence  is  that 
His  services  are  of  surest  and  highest  avail  when  the 


DELEGATES.  573 

skill  of  the  earthly  physician  utterly  fails."  "The 
next  day,"  says  Mr.  H.,  "in  passing  along  the  din- 
ing-room, I  heard  a  call,  'Preacher!  preacher!'  I 
went  to  the  bed  from  which  it  came,  and  said  to  the 
sufferer,  'My  poor  friend,  how  do  you  feel?'  'Oh, 
better,  better,'  said  he ;  '  better,  a  great  deal.'  '  Do  you 
feel  like  getting  well  ?'  '  Oh,  I  do  n't  know  about  that ; 
but  I  have  got  the  Doctor  you  told  us  about ;  he  is  my 
Doctor  now;  he  has  been  with  me  all  night;  he  is  with 
me  now,  and  I  am  better.'  The  sparkle  of  his  eye  and 
the  glow  of  his  face  spoke  all  that  he  meant."  Mr. 
Isaac  Baker  speaks  of  dressing  the  wounds  of  thirty 
men,  and  distributing  food  and  clothing  among  them. 
One  was  lying  with  his  eyes  bandaged.  "  A  shell  had 
passed  so  close  to  his  face  as  to  deprive  him  of  sight, 
the  surgeon  said,  forever.  I  washed  his  eyes,  and  bound 
small  wet  pads  upon  them,  and  left  him.  The  next 
morning  I  came  around.  He  heard  my  voice,  ran  up  to 
me  and  embraced  me,  saying  that  his  eyes  were  nearly 
as  good  as  ever.  Then  was  the  golden  moment  of  my 
privilege  in  Christ.  I  asked  him  if  the  eyes  of  his 
faith  had  been  enlightened,  if  he  had  yet  seen  Jesus. 
He  was  melted  down,  confessed  his  sins,  and  promised 
reform."  Rev.  Mr.  Flint,  in  going  one  day  among  the 
prisoners  (Union  soldiers)  in  the  slave  pen  at  Alexan- 
dria, Va.,  found  most  of  them  engaged  in  playing  cards. 
He  wished  to  ^in  their  attention  without  offending 
them.  After  distributing  his  religious  reading,  coupled 
with  personal  conversation,  among  those  not  engaged  at 
cards,  he  approached  a  company  of  players.  "  Perhaps 
you  will  take  a  game  with  me,  this  morning."  "Oh  yes, 
chaplain,"  was  the  reply,  as  they  looked  up  suspiciously, 


574  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

" we  should  be  glad  to  play  with  you"  " But  you  will 
let  me  use  my  own  cards."  "Certainly."  He  opened 
a  package  of  Scripture  cards,  each  containing  a  verse, 
and  began  to  distribute  them.  They  were  puzzled 
to  know  how  they  were  to  play  with  such  cards.  All 
who  were  not  engaged  in  the  game  were  now  thoroughly 
interested  to  see  how  it  would  come  out.  The  Delegate 
explained  that  each  man  should  read  his  card  and  lay 
it  down ;  and  the  man  who  had  the  best  card  should  be 
declared  winner  of  the  rest.  The  game  proved  highly 
entertaining,  and  the  men  said  they  would  keep  it  up, 
for  it  was  much  better  than  the  other  kind.  At  an 
opportune  moment  Mr.  Flint  said,  "  We  have  had  a 
pleasant  time  together,  men ;  now  I  wish  to  pray  with 
you,  and  as  many  as  wish  me  to  do  so  will  please  hold 
up  the  hand."  Every  hand  was  lifted,  and  then  every 
knee  was  bowed  upon  the  brick  floor;  and  the  slave-pen 
prison  became  a  house  of  God, — as  perchance  it  had 
been  many  times  before,  when  filled  with  the  human 
chattels  of  the  slave-driver. 

The  reflex  influence  of  this  work  upon  the  Delegates 
themselves  was  very  great.  First  of  all,  they  were 
thrown  upon  their  own  resources  in  the  army,  compelled 
to  "rough  it"  as  the  soldiers  did,  and  learned  to  be 
comfortable  and  cheerful  with  poor  fare  and  rude  accom- 
modations. Their  ingenuity  and  their  self-reliance 
were  developed.  A  Delegate  who. was  among  the 
wounded  at  Fredericksburg,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  says, 
"  The  house  and  tents  of  the  Commission  were  already 
filled  with  Delegates.  I  was  obliged  to  build  my  own 
sleeping-room,  which  I  did  by  tipping  over  two  large 
boxes  in  the  garden,  one  for  my  head  and  one  for  my 


DELEGATES.  575 

feet,  laying  boards  between  them  and  stretching  some 
matting  over  them.  My  house  did  very  well,  except  in 
rain  storms,  when  it  was  somewhat  leaky.  I  lodged 
there  for  a  week."  Again,  the  mingling  of  so  many 
Christian  men  of  every  denomination  was  a  pleasant 
and  striking  proof  of  the  essential  identity  of  the  reli- 
gion they  professed  and  taught.  It  was  a  practical 
Christian  union  and  co-operation  on  a  large  scale,  per- 
haps in  the  only  way  that  such  union  is  now.  possible, — 
that  is,  in  the  doing  of  some  great  Christian  work  in 
whose  importance  and  practicability  all  are  agreed. 
Often  in  a  company  of  Delegates  there  were  as  many 
Christian  denominations  represented  as  there  were  men ; 
yet  they  came  together  without  knowing  or  caring  to 
know  their  several  distinctive  names.  They  were  unani- 
mous in  their  prayers,  their  aims,  their  labors ;  and  that 
was  sufficient  for  the  time  being, — ecclesiastial  relations, 
by  no  means  unimportant  in  themselves,  were  unimpor- 
tant there.  That  Christianity  in  its  simplest  form,  thus 
daily  manifested  in  the  lives  and  labors  of  these  devoted 
men,  should  favorably  and  deeply  impress  the  thousands 
who  were  witnesses  of  their  religious  zeal  and  recipients 
of  their  bounty,  might  be  certainly  anticipated.  That 
such  was  the  result  has  been  many  times  illustrated  by 
the  unquestioning  confidence  of  the  soldiers  in  the 
Delegates,  and  by  the  multitudes  which  they  were  per- 
mitted to  lead  to  Christ.  And  still  further,  the  Dele- 
gates received  for  themselves  an  intellectual  and  spiritual 
quickening  that  remained  as  a  permanent  element  of 
their  future  efficiency.  There  was  such  an  eagerness 
for  their  ministry  on  the  part  of  the  soldiers,  and  such 
necessity  for  promptness  and  directness  in  all  their 


576  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

religious  intercourse  with  them,  that  many  were  con- 
firmed in  the  purpose  to  pursue,  as  far  as  practicable, 
the  same  methods  in  their  work  at  home.  Few  Dele- 
gates returned  from  the  field  without  expressing  grati- 
tude for  the  privilege  of  having  been  in  the  service. 
One  says,  "  The  fulness  of  the  blessing  flows  back  into 
one's  own  heart.  My  people  were  greatly  benefited  by 
my  absence ;  and  if  they  had  not  been,  I  think  I  have 
been  enough  better  man  for  going  to  make  it  policy  for 
them  to  send  me  again."  Says  another,  who  had  been 
a  successful  pastor  at  home  and  a  successful  missionary 
in  India,  and  who  returned  from  the  army  stricken  with 
mortal  sickness  from  undue  exertion  (Rev.  A.  H.  Dan- 
forth),  "Yesterday  I  had  a  glorious  time;  preached  four 
times/ — twice  inside  the  tent  and  twice  outside;  I  never 
preached  to  such  hungry  people;  I  have  the  best  of 
material  to  work  upon ;  and  I  cannot  but  feel  that  I  am 
doing  more  good  than  I  ever  was  in  my  whole  life 
before."  Such  expressions  as  these  are  frequent :  "  In 
my  ministry  of  twenty  years,  I  have  had  no  such  period 
of  active  and  blessed  work."  "  I  call  upon  my  soul  and 
all  that  is  within  me  to  bless  the  Lord,  for  permitting 
me  to  participate  in  this  noble  work."  Says  Mr. 
Duryea,  speaking  of  an  army  audience,  "  Never  shall  I 
forget  the  look  of  those  earnest  eyes  and  the  devouring 
intensity  of  those  eager  countenances.  Oh,  it  was  easy 
to  preach.  If  you  will  give  us  in  New  York  such  lis- 
tening, we  will  preach  here  before  you  in  your  sanc- 
tuaries as  we  are  enabled  to  preach  in  the  army.  With 
such  an  audience  as  that  you  need  only  ask  God's  bless- 

1  One  day,  at  Chattanooga,  there  were  fifty-seven  religious  services  conducted 
by  ten  Delegates ;  but  such  instances  were  not  uncommon. 


DELEGATES.  577 

ing,  then  open  your  mouth  and  let  the  words  gush  out." 
"  It  was  a  new  thing, — an  experience  never  to  be  for- 
gotten ;  an  experience  that  will  inspire  many  a  heart, 
and  strengthen  the  courage  of  many  a  Christian  man, 
to  do  that  sort  of  preaching  at  home  which  clinches  the 
nail  and  makes  it  stand  fast  in  a  sure  place." 

It  is  not  to  be  thought  that  the  Christian  Commission 
claims  for  its  Delegates  any  special  excellence  or  effi- 
ciency, as  compared  with  the  thousands  of  their  brethren 
who  were  not  able  to  visit  the  army.  The  Commission 
was,  as  has  been  said  so  many  times,  a  representative 
body,  and  showed  by  a  conspicuous  example  the  practi- 
cal and  energetic  piety  which  prevails  in  the  ministry 
and  membership  of  the  American  churches.  Those  who 
were  providentially  the  responsible  managers  of  the 
Commission  were  as  much  surprised,  humbled,  and 
gratified  by  the  results  which  God  accomplished  through 
it  as  can  be  any  one  who  reads  these  Annals.  The  Dele- 
gates had  many  encouragements  and  helps  in  their 
work,  which  were  the  essential  conditions  of  their  suc- 
cess. The  patriotic  benevolence  and  activity  of  the  peo- 
ple, the  cordial  approval  and  assistance  of  the  govern- 
ment, the  nearness  of  the  army  and  the  facilities  for 
reaching  it,  the  co-operation  of  the  military  and  medical 
officers,  and  especially  of  the  chaplains,  and  above  all  the 
character  of  the  soldiers  themselves, — these  were  auxil- 
iaries without  which  the  Christian  Commission  could  not 
have  maintained  its  efficiency,  nor  even  its  existence;  and 
they  must  not  be  forgotten  for  a  moment  if  the  history 
of  the  Commission  is  to  be  properly  understood.  The 
army  contained  all  the  elements  of  intellectual  and  moral 
power  which  exist  in  the  nation.  The  colleges,  learned 

73 


578  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

professions,  mercantile  establishments,  manufactories, 
workshops,  farms, — in  a  word,  every  department  of 
activity  and  life, — had  representatives  in  the  field,  and 
many  of  them  were  among  the  most  prominent  and 
influential  members  of  Christian  churches.1  The  army 
was  also,  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word,  a  community, — 
"a  society  having  common  rights,  privileges,  and 
interests," — for  they  were  freely  banded  together  to 
secure  a  common  object,  and  the  private  was  the  peer  of 
the  officer  in  social  position,  intelligence,  moral  char- 
acter, and  motive, — in  everything  but  temporary  official 
authority.  In  these  facts  and  circumstances  were  the 
assurances  of  the  Delegate's  Success,  and  it  would  have 
been  a  marvel  if  he  had  been  unsuccessful.  In  every 
camp  and  hospital  were  Christian  soldiers,  who  needed 
only  encouragement  and  direction, -to  engage  in  every 
form  of  religious  activity,  and  in  these  the  Delegates 
found,  as  did  the  chaplains,  intelligent  sympathy,  incen- 
tives, and  assistance.'2  And,  moreover,  the  Delegates, 
were  aided  by  all  the  previous  train  of  religious  in- 
fluences to  which  the  men  had  been  subject.  In  very 

1  See  p.  82. 

2  The  Union  soldiers  were  frequently  compared  to  the  famous  "  Ironsides  " 
of  Cromwell.   The  comparison  was  natural,  although  the  contrasts  between  them 
were  as  striking  as  the  resemblances.     Mr.  John  Stoughton,  in  his  Ecclesiastical 
History  of  England  from  the  Opening  of  the  Long  Parliament  to  the  Death  of  Oliver 
Cromwell,  now  in  course  of  publication,  gives  this  sketch  of  the  religious  char- 
acter and  services  of  the  Puritan  soldiery : — "  In  many  a  military  assembly 
during  the  civil  wars,—  gathered  in  town  or  country  church,  or  under  some 
canvas  roof  in  the  midst  of  a  camp,  or  in  the  open  air  by  the  hillside,  or  in  the 
depth  of  a  valley,  or  upon  a  village  green,  or  under  the  shadow  of  a  secluded 
grove,— where  some  unlettered  soldier  preached  the  gospel  and  prayed  with  his 
comrades,  though  there  might  be  not  a  litfle  to  shock  a  cultivated  taste,  there 
would  be  very  much  more  which  was  acceptable  to  Him  who  is  a  Spirit,  and 
who  overlooks  much  which  is  annoying  to  us,  if  man  do  but  worship  in  spirit 


DELEGATES.  579 

few  instances  could  the  Delegate  feel  that  the  conversion 
or  restoration  of  a  soul  was  wholly  due,  under  God,  to 
his  personal  efforts  alone.  A  sermon  heard  many  years 
before,  some  passage  of  Scripture  or  providential  visita- 
tion brought  vividly  to  the  mind,  a  mother's  or  wife's  or 
sister's- or  child's  prayers  and  entreaties,  a  Sunday-school 
teacher's  endeavors,  a  chaplain's  exhortation,  a  fellow- 
soldier's  timely  word,  a  letter  from  home,  a  paragraph 
in  a  religious  newspaper  or  book, — all  these  must  be 
reckoned  among  the  agencies  which  the  Holy  Spirit  used 
in  producing  and  maintaining  the  wonderful  religious 
interest  that  pervaded  the^army.  It  was  a  blessed  com- 
munion of  spiritual  service,  and  it  was  not  the  least  of 
the  joys  of  the  Delegate  that  he  often  saw  the  seed  which 
had  been  sown  in  distant  places  and  times,  and  in  widely 
different  scenes,  springing  up  and  bearing  fruit  amid  the 
carnage  and  desolation  and  suffering  of  war.  It  was  an 
assurance  also  that  his  own  labors  would  not  be  in  vain. 

and  in  truth.  Favorably  would  these  simple  and  irregular  forms  compare  with 
more  orderly  and  imposing  modes  of  religious  services  in  cathedrals  and 
churches  and  chapels, 

Where  men  display  to  congregations  wide 
Devotion's  every  grace  except  the  heart. 

Those  who  fought  at  Marston  Moor  and  Naseby  could  not  have  cultivated  so 
much  communion  with  the  Invisible  as  they  did,  without  thereby  gaining 
strength  for  carrying  the  daily  burdens  and  fighting  the  common  battles  of 
human  life.  There  is  hardly  more  of  poetry  than  of  truth  in  the  picture  of  a 
Puritan  trooper,  with  his  helmet  on  the  ground  and  his  sword-belt  unfastened, 
sitting  by  his  tent-door  in  the  heat  of  the  day,  to  talk  with  the  angels  of  God, 
whom  faith  in  the  well-worn  Book  on  his  knee  enabled  him  to  behold  ;—  or,  of 
another  veteran  of  the  same  class,  the  night  before  a  great  battle,  with  clasped 
hands,  looking  up  to  the  bright  stars,  seeking  by  prayer  the  help  which  he 
needed  from  the  God  above  them.  And  all  this  kind  of  experience  must  have 
made  such  people  not  only  better  soldiers  but  better  men."  Vol.  I,—  The  Church 
of  the  Civil  Wars,  chap.  21,  p.  465. 


580  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Each  Delegate  was  expected  to  furnish  the  Commission 
with  a  full  report  of  his  work.  Many  of  these  were 
published,  in  whole  or  in  part,  and  did  much  toward 
sustaining  public  interest  in  the  Commission's  opera- 
tions. Alike  for  their  intrinsic  value,  and  as  more 
clearly  showing  the  several  phases  of  Delegate  work,  the 
three  following  reports  are  given  entire.  The  first  is  an 
account  of  labors  performed  in  the  permanent  hospitals 
in  Washington :  — 

Report  of  KEY.  F.  P.  MONFORT,  Delegate  of  the  United  States  Chris- 
tian Commission,  from  Greensburg,  Indiana. 

STATISTICS. 

Number  of  days  occupied, 43 

meetings  conducted, 31 

"        participated  in, 5 

"  sermons  preached, 23 

soldiers    personally   conversed   with    about   their 

spiritual  interests, 900 

benefited  by  gifts  of  hospital  stores  or  personal 

ministrations,         .         .         .         ..,.'.  1,848 

letters  written  for  soldiers, 43 

Distributed  322  Testaments,  72  Hymn  and  Psalm-books,  1,361  Sol- 
diers' Books,  Tracts  about  4,000  pages,  Papers  2,725,  Pamphlets  43. 

INCIDENTS. 

As  a  Delegate  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission,  I  occu- 
pied for  six  weeks  a  very  interesting  position  in  the  field  you  culti- 
vate, having  vision  of  a  "  great  whitening  harvest,"  and  of  "  laborers 
many  "and  busy,  "sowing  the  good  seed,"  and  "thrusting  in  the 
sickle,"  and  often  under  such  grateful  influence  of  sunshine  and 
storm  as  to  bring  very  near  together  the  sower's  toil  and  anxiety  and 
the  reaper's  song  of  rejoicing. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  AND  THE   INQUIRER.— My  first   half  hour   in 


DELEGATES.  581 

Armory  Square  Hospital,  Washington  City,  promised  but  little  as  to 
my  own  ability  for  or  usefulness  in  the  service.  It  was  spent  in  con- 
versation with  soldiers  just  in  from  the  "  front,"  severely  wounded 
and  suffering.  Inhaling  of  necessity  their  fetid  breath  and  the 
nauseous  atmosphere  of  their  putrid,  undressed  wounds,  resulted  in 
such  physical  prostration  that  I  had  left  not  more  than  enough 
strength  to  enable  me  to  rise  and  hurry  from  the  place.  Staggering 
to  a  vacant  cot,  and  resting  sufficiently  to  justify  another  effort,  I 
addressed  myself  in  turn  to  two  young  men  in  a  different  part  of  the 
ward, — one  of  them  a  happy  Christian,  the  other  an  anxious  in- 
quirer,—  the  former  having  served  the  Saviour  five  years,  nearly 
half  that  period  in  the  Union  army,  and  who  considered  his  position 
in  it  the  best  he  had  ever  known,  for  a  sense  of  personal  religious 
responsibility,  for  nearness  to  God,  growth  in  grace,  and  usefulness 
to  others  in  the  practice  of  piety ;  the  latter  having  a  fond  remem- 
brance of  home,  the  family  altar,  the  Sabbath-school,  and  the  sanc- 
tuary,—  a  stranger  as  yet  to  saving  grace,  but  under  deep  conviction 
of  sin,  and  longing  to  "know  the  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus"  and 
the  joys  of  his  salvation.  Here  was,  indeed,  a  refreshment  of  soul, 
as  I  heard  from  the  lips  of  the  one  his  experiences  and  observations, 
or  rather  what  I  considered  " a  narrative  of  the  state  of  religion"  in 
his  regiment ;  or  as  I  marked  in  the  other  the  increasing  anxiety, 
and  the  strengthening  determination  to  find,  as  not  many  days  after 
he  did  find,  Jesus  as  his  Saviour  "precious"  by  faith, — yes,  a  refresh- 
ment extending  also  to  the  "  outer  man,"  nerving  me  for  service 
among  their  "  companions  in  tribulation,"  of  which,  but  a  moment 
before,  I  deemed  myself  so  entirely  incapable. 

A  GRATEFUL  GERMAN.  —  Passing  from  these,  how  the  eye  of  a 
suffering  German  soldier  kindled  as  it  rested  upon  my  badge,  while, 
in  the  best  English  he  could  command,  he  expressed  his  appreciation 
of  our  enterprise:  "Ah,  das  ish  te  Christian  Commission.  He's  te 
pesht  man  in  te  army.  Him  safes  my  life.  He  comes  rount  when 
we  lays  in  te  Wilterness,  all  two  tays  and  two  nights,  ant  no  preat, 
ant  no  vater,  ant  no  doctor,  and  shust  pick  urn  up  all  uv  urn,  ant 
give  um  preat  and  vater,  ant  nurse  um.  Oh,  him  so  many,  too, — 
plenty  of  um, —  ant  him  doctor  heself,  ant  bring  um  to  White  House, 
ant  bring  um  up  here  to  te-  hospital.  Oh,  he  so  goot !  He 's  te  pesht 
man  in  te  army.  Him  work  shust  like  a  nigger."  And  thus,  what 


582  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

an  introduction  our  badge  offers  to  the  confidence  of  those  whose 
first  sorrows,  after  the  bloody  conflict,  have  been  assuaged  by  the 
Delegates  on  the  field. 

SOUP  AND  TESTAMENTS. — After  some  two  weeks  in  Armory 
Square,  wishing  to  see  some  wounded  friends,  I  took  occasion  to 
labor  for  a  day  in  Harewood  Hospital.  About  2  o'clock,  P.M., 
weary  and  hungry,  while  on  the  way  to  the  office  where  I  had 
deposited  my  "  cold  snack," l  my  attention  was  suddenly  arrested  by 
a  very  large  woman,  with  a  very  large  pair  of  lungs,  and,  as  I  pre- 
sumed, a  very  large  heart,  calling  out,  "  What  are  we  to  do,  sir  ? 
Five  hundred  and  fifty  wounded  soldiers,  hungry  and  sore,  just  arriv- 

1  It  may  not  be  amiss  to  cite  here  the  testimony  of  a  friendly  observer,  not 
connected  with  the  Commission,  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  Delegates  lived. 
Mr.  C.  C.  Coffin,  the  army  correspondent  ("Carleton")  of  the  Boston  Journal, 
writes  thus  to  his  paper,  from  Washington  : — '"Come  up  to  our  rooms  and 
see  us,'  was  the  kind  invitation  of  Rev.  Mr.  Thurston,  of  Newbury,  in  charge 
of  the  Christian  Commission  rooms  at  Washington.  I  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  reached  the  small,  one-story  brick  house  at  the  corner  of  I  and  Ninth 
streets.  A  wagon  stood  before  the  door.  I  peeped  in  and  saw  some  cans  of 
prepared  milk,  bottles  of  jellies,  oranges,  lemons,  syrups,  wines,  cordials,  shirts, 
drawers,  slippers,  newspapers,  magazines,  and  hymn-books.  Entering  the  rooms 
of  the  Commission  I  found  twenty  or  thirty  men.  They  had  on  woollen  shirts, 
old  clothes,  and  straw  hats.  Some  were  lifting  boxes  ;  one  was  diving  to  the 
bottom  of  a  barrel,  fishing  for  a  bundle  of  tracts ;  some  were  unpacking  bottles 
from  casks,  and  were  covered  with  hay  and  straw.  They  did  not  look  like 
ministers.  I  did  not  see  a  white  neck-tie  or  a  nice,  black  broadcloth  coat,  or 
kid  gloves.  They  were  more  like  a  party  of  stevedores  and  waiters  than  men 
from  the  pulpit.  It  was  the  dinner  hour,  and  I  went  down  with  the  Delegates 
into  the  cellar,  through  a  bulk  head.  The  Commission  does  not  dwell  in  ceiled 
houses.  Its  rooms  are  not  capacious  or  gorgeous.  There  was  a  joint  of  mutton, 
soft  bread,  apple-sauce,  potatoes,  tomatoes,  farina,  tea,  coffee,  and  water,— no 
wines  for  dinner.  Plain,  simple,  wholesome  fare.  There  was  no  ceremony,  no 
sitting  after  dinner,  for  there  was  no  time  to  spare.  Each  man  was  up  from 
the  table  and  at  his  work,  unpacking  boxes  just  arrived,  selecting  parcels  needed 
for  afternoon  use,  and  then  away  to  hospitals.  They  had  been  their  morning 
rounds,  and  were  off  for  the  afternoon.  In  that  unostentatious  manner,  in  four 
small  rooms,  the  Commission  carries  on  its  operations  at  a  very  small  expense 
and  on  a  rigid  system  of  economy,— not  niggardly,  but  measuring  means  with 
ends.  The  Delegates  sleep  in  a  large  chapel  tent  on  Tenth  street.  The  Com- 
mission has  taken  firm  hold  upon  the  hearts  of  the  people.  It  is  seen  that  its 
ministrations  reach  the  soldiers.  Its  supplies  go  where  they  are  needed." 


DELEGATES.  583 

ing  from  the  front,  and  nobody  to  feed  them  soup?"  "Madam,  I'll 
help,"  said  I,  "  and  can  probably  furnish  another  assistant."  Three 
of  us  undertook  it.  Ladling  out  soup  in  a  hurry  to  such  a  number 
of  hungry  men  was  "  hard  work,"  had  we  not  heard,  as  we  did  at 
almost  every  step,  their  appreciative  exclamation,  "  Well,  boys, 
here's  the  Christian  Commission  again!  "Oh,  don't  that  taste  like 
home  ?"  "  We  do  n't  get  such  soup  every  day."  "If  it  had  n't  been 
for  the  Christian  Commission  down  at  Spottsylvania,  some  of  us 
would  n't  be  eating  soup  here  to-day."  Soup  finished,  I  resumed  my 
haversack,  distributing  to  the  same  men  Testaments,  soldiers'  books, 
and  tracts.  Here  was  a  new  joy.  While  eagerly  extending  their 
hands,  they  were  crying  out, —  "Christian  Commission,  give  me  one 
of  those  books,  please;"  "I'll  take  one,  Christian ;"  "Good  man, 
give  me  one,  won't  you?"  "Oh,  we're  going  to  have  something 
good  to  read  again."  These  are  mentioned  because  they  were  tokens 
of  good,  and  I  know  that  many  a  chord,  touched  to  gratitude  by  the 
bestowment  of  things  needed  in  order  to  bodily  comfort,  did  not 
cease  to  vibrate,  but,  swept  anew  and  more  directly  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  had  waked  to  sweeter  strains  in  the  song  of  Moses  and  the 
Lamb. 

A  ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHRISTIAN.  —  I  had  frequent  occasion  to 
observe  in  the  more  youthful  disciples  of  Roman  Catholicism  an 
independence  of  thought  and  opinion  in  regard  to  religious  interests, 
and  as  a  consequence  of  this  the  exercise  of  fraternal  feeling  towards 
Protestants,  with  a  willingness  sometimes  rising  to  desire  to  receive 
from  them  religious  instruction  and  comfort.  Of  this  somewhat 
numerous  class  J.  C.  was  a  type ;  and  from  him  and  others  I  learned 
to  attribute  the  change,  in  part,  to  their  long  and  intimate  associa- 
tion in  the  army  with  Protestant  Christians ;  and  along  with  this, 
but  paramount,  to  the  influence  of  the  religious  literature  and  evan- 
gelical instructions  furnished  by  the  Christian  Commission  during 
the  toils  of  the  campaign  or  the  tedium  of  "  winter  quarters,"  when 
the  hungerings  and  thirstings  of  the  soldier  prompt  to  a  ready  ac- 
ceptance of  whatever  is  offered  to  supply  the  mind  and  heart.  Said 
the  sergeant,  smilingly,  as  I  approached  his  cot,  "  That 's  a  noble 
badge  you  wear,  sir.  Your  Christian  Commission  has  done  great 
things  for  us  poor  fellows."  "  Well,"  said  I,  "if  you  descend  into 
the  mine,  don't  you  think  we  should  hold  the  rope?"  "That's  what 


584  ANXALS    OF    THE    CHEISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

I  call  a  Christian  institution,"  said  the  sergeant.  After  some  in- 
quiries as  to  his  wounds  and  wants,  I  asked  him  if  he  was  a  Chris- 
tian. He  replied,  "I  suppose  you  would  hardly  consider  me  a 
Christian."  "  Well,"  said  I,  "  it 's  very  easily  ascertained.  Do  you 
love  God?"  "Yes,  sir,  I  do  love  him  with  all  my  heart."  "  Have 
you  faith  in  Christ,  trusting  in  him  as  your  Saviour?"  "Yes,  sir, 
in  Christ,  and  in  nobody  else."  "  Do  you  pray  to  God  through 
Jesus  Christ?"  "Yes,  sir,  to  God,  and  nobody  else, — through  Jesus 
Christ,  and  nobody  else."  "  Do  you  truly  repent  of  sin,  seeking 
pardon,  acceptance,  and  salvation  through  the  merit  of  Christ?" 
"Yes,  through  his  merits  only,  only."  "And  do  you  find  comfort 
in  prayer  and  communion  with  God?"  "Yes,  sir,  and  a  hope  that's 
worth  more  to  me  than  all  the  world  beside."  "Well,  if  this  be 
true,"  said  I,  "  you  must  be  a  Christian.  I  do  n't  know  what  else  to 
call  you."  He  wished  me  to  come  in  often,  and  talk  with  him, 
which  I  did, — always  finding  him  sociable,  happy  in  mind,  ingenuous, 
and  as  one  knowing  that  he  must  finally  "  give  account  for  him- 
self," entirely  free  from  servility  in  thought,  opinion,  and  conduct. 

SPIRITUAL  LABORS  AND  FRUITS.  —  Quite  a  large  proportion  of 
the  sufferers  in  my  wards  were  Christians, — intelligent,  comfortable 
Christians,  waiting  God's  will, — many  having  become  such  since 
their  connection  with  the  army,  not  a  few  of  these  attributing  the 
change,  under  God,  to  means  and  appliances  furnished  by  the  Chris- 
tian Commission.  There  were  others  who,  similarly  influenced, 
were  already  weighing  the  momentous  interests  of  the  soul ;  and 
others  again  who,  as  soon  as  the  subject  was  proposed,  though  hitherto 
careless,  began  to  inquire,  "What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?" — and  I 
cannot  but  believe  that  many,  by  the  blessing  of  God's  Spirit  attend- 
ing my  labors,  were  brought  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the  truth. 
Some  of  them  have  since  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith ;  others  still 
living,  to  "  bear  about  with  them  the  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesus,"  and 
rejoice  more  in  the  "honor  that  corneth  from  above"  than  in  that 
with  which  their  grateful  country  will  crown  them,  in  view  of  the 
wounds  received  in  its  service. 

W.  F.  S.,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  New  York,  spoke  feel- 
ingly and  gratefully  of  his  pious  mother,  her  prayers  and  Christian 
counsels.  He  now  regretted  his  past  life  of  carelessness,  and  felt  un- 
prepared for  death,  should  his  wounds  prove  fatal.  He  had  long 


DELEGATES.  585 

thought  seriously,  but  was  without  an  interest  in  Christ.  He  was 
exhorted  to  place  his  burden  of  sin  on  Christ,  who  had  borne  our  sins 
and  carried  our  sorrows, — that  God  only  required  of  the  dying  sinner 
real  repentance  and  genuine  faith.  And  how  could  any  sinner  stay 
away  from  Christ,  while  the  gospel  declared  that  "  God  so  loved  the 
world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth 
in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life?"  This  passage 
and  Paul's  "  faithful  saying  "  were  given  him  to  study  and  pray  over. 
But  he  could  find  no  comfort  until  within  a  week  of  his  death.  Two 
days  before  death  he  told  me  he  had  the  assurance  of  faith  in 
Christ, —  felt  prepared  and  resigned.  "I  think,"  said  he,  "I  should 
be  happy  if  the  messenger  should  come  for  me  this  moment."  At 
length  the  solemn  hour  came ;  and,  as  natural  vision  failed  him,  the 
light  of  faith  and  hope  grew  strong,  and  clapping  his  hands  together 
several  times,  he  uttered  his  last  words,  "  Glory  to  God !  I  shall  soon 
be  at  rest." 

Wm.  Hambline,  Company  D,  Fifth  Maine,  suffering  from  ampu- 
tation of  a  leg,  I  found  next  day,  very,  very  feeble,  no  probability 
of  recovery.  He  had  been  thinking  of  his  sins,  trving  to  repent  and 
come  to  Christ,  but  hardly  knew  whether  he  was  forgiven  and 
accepted  or  not.  He  evinced  such  childlike  simplicity  and  sin- 
cerity,— thought  he  loved  the  Saviour,  and  trusted  in  him  for  salva- 
tion. I  inquired,  "Do  you  pray?"  He  replied,  "Oh,  yes;  I  can't 
pray  as  you  do,  but  I  try.  I  prayed  twice  to-day, —  prayed  a  good 
long  time,  and  it  did  me  good,  but  still  I'm  in  doubt."  "  What  did 
you  say  when  you  prayed?"  "  I  asked  God  to  pardon  my  sins  and 
save  my  soul."  " Did  that  prayer  bring  you  any  comfort?"  "Yes, 
I  think,  some ;  but  I  want  a  more  satisfactory  assurance."  He  was 
then  referred  to  the  Scripture  encouragements  to  prayer  and  looking 
to  Christ, — "  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,"  etc. ;  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye 
that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest."  "  While 
in  all  this  God  was  requiring,  'Son,  give  me  thy  heart,' — now, 
can't  you  say  with  your  whole  heart,  '  Lord,  save  ;  I  perish  ?'"  His 
response  was  very  earnest  and  emphatic:  "Lord — save — I — perish ;" 
"Lord,  save;  I  perish"  His  attention  was  that  of  an  almost  dying 
man,  while  I  dwelt  for  a  time  on  the  philosophy  of  God's  plan  of 
mercy, — spiritual,  eternal  life,  for  dying,  hell-deserving  sinners, — 
by  the  sufferings  and  death  of  God's  well-beloved  Son,  so  that  God 

74 


586  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

could  be  just  and  yet  justify  the  sinner, — and  now  offering  that 
salvation  simply  for  the  taking.  "  And  how  kind  in  God,  not  only 
that  this  salvation  meets  your  case  as  a  sinner,  but  that  his  mercy 
meets  your  present  condition,  as  you  lie  here,  feeble  in  body  and 
mind,  while  he  comes  and  asks  you  to  '  receive  the  kingdom  as  a 
little  child.'  Come  to  him,  then,  with  the  simple  faith  of  a  child  in 
a  loving  parent,  penitent  for  past  sin,  your  heart  open  to  just  one 
interest,  your  soul  filled  with  just  one  desire;  and  praying  with  prayer 
that  takes  no  denial,  ask  God,  for  Christ's  sake,  to  pardon  and  save 
you.  Now,  here 's  just  what  you  need.  Can't  you  make  it  your  own, 
while  you  express  it  before  God  ? 

'  A  guilty,  weak,  and  helpless  worm, 

On  thy  kind  arms  I  fall ; 
Be  than  my  strength,  my  righteousness, 
My  Saviour,  and  my  all!'" 

His  eye  fixed  upon  me  with  the  searching  anxiety  of  an  awakened 
sinner,  and,  every  feature  of  his  countenance  indicating  the  encourage- 
ment derived  from  a  new  thought,  he  asked,  "  Wo  n  't  you  please  say 
that  again?"  I  did  say  it  again  ;  and  oh,  it  was  touching  to  hear 
him,  in  tears,  and  Avith  the  imploring  heart  and  voice  of  a  child, 
coming  back  from  his  wanderings,  repeating  it  after  me, —  a  line,  or 
part  of  a  line  at  a  time,  until  he  came  to  the  closing  line,  "My  Saviour 
and  my  all!"  which  was  uttered  with  an  emphasis  warm  from  the 
heart,  and  then  a  sweet  smile,  as  from  a  sense  of  acceptance,  and 
"  consolation  in  Christ  Jesus,"  rose  to  his  face,  and  settled  there,  and 
he  said  to  me,  "  That  will  do  now."  Commending  him  to  God,  and 
to  the  word  of  his  grace,  I  left  his  bed-side,  cheered  with  the  assurance 
that  thus  another  new-born  soul  was  being  "  guided  by  God's  counsel," 
soon  to  be  "  received  to  his  glory." 

CHRISTIAN  PARENTS'  REWARD. — One  of  the  most  interesting  of 
my  hospital  parishioners  was  W.  P.  S.,  of  a  Massachusetts  regiment. 
Day  after  day,  as  he  lay  suffering  from  severe  wounds,  yet  quiet  and 
uncomplaining,  I  had  ministered  to  his  physical  comfort,  and  supplied 
him  with  religious  reading-matter,  at  the  same  time  pressing  upon  his 
attention  the  concerns  of  his  soul.  He  knew  and  acknowledged  his 
sins  and  his  danger,  and  seemed  penitent  from  the  first,  with  an  in- 
creasing desire  to  know  Christ  as  his  Saviour.  Pious  parents  had 


DELEGATES.  587 

trained  him  through  childhood  and  youth,  and  their  prayerful  interest 
he  now  remembered  with  pleasure.  He  understood  the  doctrines  of 
grace,  loved  to  read  his  New  Testament  and  to  pray,  had  never 
engaged  in  battle  without  commending  himself  to  God  in  prayer,  but 
complained  that  he  had  not  that  faith  which  takes  Christ  at  his  word, 
appropriating  him  as  a  personal  Saviour, — that  though  he  had  tried 
to  give' up  all  for  Christ,  he  did  not  realize  the  comfort  he  desired, 
and  did  not  know  that  he  was  accepted.  It  was  then  suggested  that 
the  sacrifice  he  offered  was  incomplete,  and  he  was  urged  to  a  care- 
ful searching  of  heart,  to  a  deeper  sorrow  for  sin,  to  an  entire  reliance 
on  Christ  as  a  Saviour  "  able  and  willing  to  save  to  the  uttermost," 
and  to  prayer,  sincere,  importunate  prayer, — "  Lord,  I  believe  ;  help 
thou  mine  belief;"  "Lord,  I  am  thine;  save  me;"  "Lord,  save;  I 
perish;" — seeking  also  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  show  him  his 
heart,  to  help  his  infirmities,  and  to  guide  him  into  truth  and  to 
Christ.  When  I  saw  him  again  he  was  in  a  delightful  state  of  mind. 
He  "  knew  that  he  had  passed  from  death  unto  life ;"  all  doubts  and 
fears  were  removed,  and  he  was  "  rejoicing  in  Christ."  He  gave  me 
an  account  of  the  exercises  of  mind  through  which  he  had  passed, — 
the  struggle,  the  victory,  the  peace, — and  I  could  not  but  rejoice  with 
him  that  "  the  grace  of  God  had  appeared."  The  thought  then 
occurred  to  me,  "  Well,  this  is  too  good  to  be  kept ;  I  must  tell  his 
parents  all  about  it;  he  has  just  given  me  their  address," — when  I 
was  almost  startled  at  hearing  from  his  lips  the  exclamation,  "O 
father!  father!  O  father,  I'm  glad  you've  come!"  I  turned  round, 
and  there  stood  the  father  a  few  paces  distant,  motionless  and  power- 
less to  speak  or  approach,  the  son  still  extending  his  arms,  and  utter- 
ing that  endearing  name  in  tones  that  told  how  deeply  it  was  treasured 
in  his  heart.  All  eyes  were  turned  upon  the  scene.  Invalids,  nurses, 
and  visitors  gathered  near.  Silence,  on  the  father's  part,  was  at  length 
broken  by  his  utterance  of  "William,  I'm  sorry  to  see  you  here." 
The  heart  of  the  son  still  yearning  toward  him,  "Oh  father,  I'm  so 
glad  you've  come;  dear  father!  Father,  corne  and  shake  hands." 
He  took  the  chair  I  offered  at  the  bedside,  but  was  still  too  full  of 
emotion  to  speak.  Fearing  injury  to  the  invalid  from  the  over- 
excitement,  I  remarked,  "  Your  son  wishes  to  shake  hands.  Shake 
hands  with  him."  Curbing  his  emotions,  he  leaned  forward,  and 


588  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

parent  and  child  were  clasped  in  a  fond  embrace,  so  sacred  that  all 
turned  away  and  left  them  to  themselves. 

After  a  while  I  returned  and  sat  with  them,  saying  to  the  young 
man  :  "  It 's  right  pleasant  to  see  your  father,  is  it  not?"  "  O,  yes  ; 
dear  father  I"  I  then  reminded  the  father  of  his  expression  as  he 
came  in,—"  William,  I  'm  sorry  to  see  you  here," — adding,  "I  know 
very  well  what  you  meant,  but  I  wanted  to  say  that  this  is  perhaps 
the  best  place  he  ever  was  in.  I  've  been  talking  with  him  a  good 
while  this  morning,  and  he 's  been  giving  his  first  Christian  experi- 
ence. He  has  been  telling  me  of  your  and  his  mother's  cares  and 
counsels  and  prayers  in  his  behalf.  He  now  says  that  he  loves  the 
Saviour.  I  think  he  is  a  Christian  ;  and  he  had  just  given  me  your 
address,  that  I  might  tell  you  of  it.  Yes,  I  think  this  is  one  of  the 
best  places  your  son  ever  was  in."  He  replied,  "  Perhaps  so ;  I  trust 
it  is ; "  while  his  eyes  met  those  of  his  son  in  a  look  of  earnest 
inquiry,  then  of  satisfaction,  and  I  left  them  tearful  in  their  joy. 

AN  ANXIOUS  INQUIRER. — Thomas  Began,  Company  I,  First 
South  Carolina  Regiment,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  June  29,  in 
a  picket  skirmish  near  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  was  brought  into  our  hos- 
pital in  a  suffering  condition.  Introducing  myself  as  usual  by  kind 
inquiries  and  offers  of  material  comfort,  I  proposed  the  common 
query,  "Are  you  a  Christian?"  His  reply  was,  "No,  sir;  O,  no ;  I 
wish  I  were."  "Is  this  wish  a  new  thing  with  you?"  "Well,  yes, 
sir ;  it 's  a  new  thing  as  I  now  feel  it,  though  I  've  always  thought  I 
ought  to  be  a  Christian,  and  that  I  would  be  some  time ;  but  some- 
how I  never  before  realized  fully  my  responsibility,  and  never  could 
bring  my  mind  to  bear  upon  the  subject  properly.  My  parents  are 
consistent  Christians,  and  have  always  given  me  good  advice,  and 
shown  their  interest  in  my  spiritual  welfare ;  but,  to  my  shame  I  say 
it,  I  have  still  continued  careless.  I  am  not  a  Christian."  "  But  you 
now  say  that  you  desire  to  be,  and.  that  this  desire  is  different  from 
any  similar  feeling  before  exercised."  "  Yes,  sir ;  I  think  it  is."  "Is 
sin  more  felt  by  you  now  as  an  evil  and  bitter  thing  cm  yonr  part  and 
an  offence  to  God?  and  would  you  really  wish  the  burden  removed?" 
"  Yes,  sir."  "  Well,  can't  you  come  to  Christ ;  and  can't  you  pray, 
'Lord,  save;  I  perish?'"  "I  do  try,  sir;  but  somehoAV  I  can't  do 
it  right."  "How  do  you  account  for  your  present  state  of  mind? 
What  has  led  you  now  recently  to  feel  as  you  do?"  "Well,  sir, 


DELEGATES.  589 

I  '11  tell  you.  After  I  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  brought 
over  to  the  White  House,  where  we  all  lay  out  together,  upon  the 
ground,  wrapped  in  our  blankets,  and  while  I  was  suffering  greatly, 
away  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  some  one  came  along, —  it  seems  to 
me  now  like  a  dream.  He  had  on  a  badge,  I  think,  just  like  yours; 
probably  he  was  a  minister.  Any  how,  he  kneeled  down  just  be- 
tween one  of  your  wounded  men  and  myself,  and  prayed  for  him, 
and  then  for  me.  I  suppose  he  must  have  known  from  appearances 
who  I  was,  but  I  never  heard  such  a  prayer  as  he  prayed  so  earnestly, 
and  prayed  for  the  salvation  of  my  soul.  It  seemed  so  strange  to  me, 
and  I  thought,  if  an  enemy  could  pray  for  me  thus,  surely  I  ought  to 
pray  for  myself.  I  then  thought  of  my  past  life,  what  a  great  sinner 
I  had  been,  how  ungrateful  to  God,  and  how  unkind  to  my  parents 
for  their  interest  in  me,  their  instructions  and  their  prayers.  I  felt 
my  responsibility  that  night  as  1  had  never  done  before,  and  indeed 
I  've  not  lost  sight  of  it  a  moment  since,  and  I  've  been  trying  to 
pray,  but  it  do  n't  seem  to  do  any  good."  He  was  in  tears.  "  Well," 
said  I,  "  you  '11  never  secure  salvation  until  you  make  God  believe 
that  you  want  it.  Christ  will  never  be  your  Saviour  until  you  so 
realize  the  guilt  of  sin,  and  your  own  wretchedness  and  helplessness, 
as  that  you  can  come  to  him  in  deep  penite'nce,  crying,  with  your 
whole  heart,  'God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner;'  'Lord,  save;  I 
perish.'"  He  seemed  deeply  moved,  and  in  great  distress,  anxious 
for  relief,  asked  me  to  pray  for  him,  which  I  did ;  and  many  times 
during  the  ensuing  fortnight  I  conversed  with  him,  unfolding  God's 
plan  for  saving  sinners,  and  giving  such  counsels  and  encourage- 
ments as  I  could, — his  interest  all  the  time  increasing,  his  convic- 
tions deepening,  his  resolutions  strengthening,  and  the  way  of  life 
becoming  clearer.  "But  this  wicked  heart  of  mine,"  said  he;  "there 
is  the  trouble.  Do  you  think  it  is  possible  for  God  to  show  mercy  to 
such  a  sinner?"  "Yes,"  said  I,  "  to  ju-st  such  a  sinner;  a  poor,  lost 
sinner;  for  his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  was  sent  to  seek  and  to  save  the 
lost,  just  such  as  you;  but  you  must  more  and  more  see  and  feel  your 
lost  condition  and  your  unworthiness.  Take  this  Scripture,  'This  is 
a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus 
came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  /  am  chief.'  Seek  the 
influences  of  God's  Spirit  in  prayer,  to  enable  you  to  study  it,  and 
understand  it  and  apply  it."  There  was  an  unusual  smile  upon  hia 


590  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

face,  as  I  approached  his  bed  some  days  afterwards,  and  a  more  than 
ordinary  eagerness  in  grasping  my  hand,  as  in  reply  to  my  usual 
inquiry  as  to  his  physical  health,  "  How  do  you  do  to-day?"  he  said, 
"  O,  sir,  it 's  all  right  now.  I  think  I  have  found  the  Saviour." 
From  the  evidence  he  gave  I  thought  he  had  met  with  a  change  of 
heart,  and  he  expressed  a  determination  to  spend  his  days  in  the  ser- 
vice of  God. 

THE  INDIAN  CHIEF.  —  Daniel  McKenna,  an  Indian  chief  of  the 
Atawa  tribe,  from  Bear  Creek,  Mich.,  a  "sharpshooter"  of  the  First 
Michigan  Regiment,  lay  in  one  of  our  wards,  mortally  wounded. 
"While  life  was  ebbing  away  I  questioned  him,  through  an  inter- 
preter, but  could  get  no  reply,  till  I  inquired  if  he  had  ever  seen  a 
missionary.  At  this  he  opened  his  eyes,  and,  smiling,  nodded  assent, 
and  repeated  in  his  way,  "Mishnare — mishnare — umph — good." 
He  seldom  spoke  or  noticed  anything,  but  now  he  seemed  to  be 
pleased,  and  roused  up.  "Ask  him,"  said  I,  " if  he  likes  the  mis- 
sionaries." He  did  so,  and  communicated  the  reply.  "  He  says, 
Yes ;  he  likes  them  first-rate ;  they  are  very  good  men ;  they  teach 
schools  and  preach.  He  says  he  is  a  chief,  and  he  is  the  man  that 
sees  to  the  house,  and  makes  the  appointments  for  them."  "  Does  he 
know  Jesus  Christ  as  a  Saviour?"  "He  says,  Yes;  Jesus  Christ  is 
his  Saviour."  "Does  he  love  Christ?"  "He  says,  Yes;  he  loves 
him  with  all  his  heart."  "Does  he  ever  pray?"  "  Yes,  he  has  been 
praying  to  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  ever  since  he  was  wounded." 
"  Ask  him  if  he  is  prepared  to  die?"  " He  says,  Yes ;  if  God  calls 
him  to  heaven,  he  '11  go  with  him  over  there."  And  so  much,  thought 
I,  for  the  labors  of  our  devoted  missionaries.  Their  "  labor  is  not  in 
vain  in  the  Lord."  Neither  is  ours.  And  I  enjoyed  casting  bread 
upon  the  water,  in  the  hope  of  seeing  it  after  many  days, — some  of 
it,  however,  appearing  much  sooner  than  the  promise  led  us  to 
expect.  Fraternally  yours,  F.  P.  MONFORT. 

The  ordinary  work  of  the  Delegates,  in  the  camps 
and  during  the  active  campaigns,  has  been  very  fully 
described1  in  the  extended  narratives  of  Chapters  VII 

1  To  cite  another  instance:  Mr.  J.  K.  Miller,  Assistant  Field  Agent,  under 
date  of  August  31,  1864,  gives  this  description  of  the  work  in  the  Nineteenth 


DELEGATES.  591 

and  VIII.  The  next  report  will  show  them  among  the 
wounded  just  after  a  severe  engagement.  Mr.  Isaac 
Baker,  of  Philadelphia,  was  in  Fredericksburg,  in  May, 
1864,  to  minister  to  those  who  had  suffered  in  the 
"Wilderness"  battles:  — 

It  is  impossible  to  convey,  by  any  description,  an  adequate  idea  of 
the  fulness  and  blessedness  of  the  mission  on  which  a  Delegate  of  the 
Christian  Commission  sets  out.  I  had  no  conception  of  it  myself.  It 
was  to  me  a  wonderful  revelation.  The  power  of  religion,  in  all  its 
offices,  was  exhibited  in  my  own  soul's  experience,  and  before  my 
eyes,  in  a  way  that  I  had  never  seen  and  felt  it  before.  I  thank  God 

Corp?,  in  the  field  hospital  and  at  the  front, —  headquarters  being  at  Point  of 
Rocks,  on  the  Appomattox:  —  "There  are  now  about  two  thousand  patients  in 
the  hospital.  Our  establishment  here  consists  of  one  chapel  tent  for  store-room, 
one  chapel-fly  for  sleeping  tent,  one  for  religious  services,  one  wall-tent  for 
warehouse,  and  one  for  office.  I  have  only  eight  Delegates  at  present,  though 
I  should  have  at  least  ten.  Here  is  my  mode  of  work  in  the  corps  and  hospi- 
tal. Early  in  the  morning  six  or  seven  Delegates  go  in  a  two-horse  wagon  to 
the  front,  carrying  with  them  a  good  quantity  of  reading-matter  and  hospital 
stores, —  for  every  regiment  at  the  front  has  a  number  of  patients  in  its  regi- 
mental hospital.  These  Delegates  all  spend  the  whole  forenoon  in  one  or  two 
brigades,  taking  the  troops  in  their  order  on  the  line.  They  aim  to  see  every 
man  as  they  go,  and  either  give  him  something  or  speak  a  kind  word  to  him. 
This  "front"  work  I  deem  very  important,  even  more  so  than  the  hospital 
work  ;  and  I  have  always  aimed  to  keep  it  up  as  regularly  as  practicable.  We 
have  dinner  at  half-past  twelve.  From  noon  till  half-past  two  are  resting  hours. 
From  half-past  two  till  half-past  five  they  spend  in  the  hospital.  Each  Dele- 
gate has  four  or  five  wards.  In  this  visit  no  services  are  held.  The  Delegate 
passes  through  his  wards,  speaking  a  word  to  every  man,  relieving  his  wants, 
as  far  as  possible,  but  making  the  visit  as  far  as  practicable  a  pastoral  one. 
After  tea,  he  holds  a  brief  religious  service  in  each  ward,  and  thus  close  the 
day's  labors.  The  work  goes  on  thus  from  day  to  day,  and  a  more  delightful 
success  could  not  be  expected.  All  the  Delegates  are  in  the  best  of  spirits,  and 
ail  are  hard  workers.  At  night  all  are  weary,  and  sleep  is  welcome,  but  morn- 
ing finds  all  refreshed,  and  ready  and  anxious  to  begin  a  new  day's  labors.  At 
the  front,  on  thin  part  of  the  line,  there  is  no  picket  firing,  so  that  we  can  visit 
every  part  of  the  line  safejy,  and  see  the  men  at  their  work.  This  adds  greatly 
to  our  work  here,  and  enables  us  to  make  it  complete  and  thorough.  It  is  my 
aim  to  have  every  regiment  visited  at  least  once  each  week. 


592  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

that  he  granted  me  the  honor  and  the  blessedness  of  taking  part  in 
this  labor.  I  started  with  the  prayer  in  my  heart  that  he  would  use 
me,  to  my  fullest  strength  and  talents,  in  the  work  before  me.  I 
never  felt  so  deeply  the  need  of  the  Spirit's  constant  sustaining 
presence. 

My  work  soon  began.  On  our  way  from  Washington  to  Belle 
Plain,  in  the  steamer  New  Jersey,  we  took  on  board  two  companies 
of  cavalry.  One  of  the  captains,  standing  by  the  rail,  looking  on  his 
men  with  a  proud,  gratified  air,  seemed  to  be  in  the  humor  for  a 
compliment.  I  approached  him  with,  "  A  fine  set  of  men  you  have, 
captain."  "  Brave  boys,  every  one  of  them,"  he  replied.  "  How 
many  of  them  are  Christians,  do  you  think?"  "That  I  can't  tell," 
he  replied,  seeming  in  no  way  offended  at  my  plainness.  I  was 
encouraged  to  inquire  further,  "  May  I  ask  you  if  you  are  a  Chris- 
tian yourself,  my  friend?"  "I  am  not,"  he  replied,  respectfully, 
"  but  I  have  often  thought  I  ought  to  be."  After  further  conversa- 
tion he  promised  to  seek  the  Lord,  and  requested  an  interest  in  the 
prayers  of  Christians. 

We  had  a  prayer-meeting  on  board  the  boat.  While  we  were 
singing,  I  saw  one  man  looking  intently  at  the  picture  of  his  wife  and 
children.  When  spoken  to  he  said  he  wanted  to  be  a  Christian,  that 
he  might  meet  those  he  loved  so  much  (pointing  to  the  precious  pic- 
ture) in  the  heavenly  home  we  were  just  now  singing  about. 

On  our  arrival  at  Fredericksburg  our  sadly  solemn  work  began  in 
truth.  0,  how  the  scene  dwells  in  my  vision!  How  the  heart 
aches  and  bleeds  at  the  sight  of  such  suffering,  and  yet  so  patiently 
and  heroically  borne!  I  had  an  exalted  view  of  human  nature,  as  I 
contemplated  these  noble  men,  wounded  and  bruised  for  our  sakes 
and  the  country's,  and  enduring  their  sufferings  without  a  murmur, 
— indeed,  in  some  cases,  with  cheerfulness,  singing  to  soothe  their 
pains,  and  smiling  in  order  to  hide  them  from  others. 

I  was  assigned  to  the  Fifth  Corps  hospital,  Second  Division,  where 
lay  some  fifty  men,  bleeding,  helpless.  I  went  from  one  to  another, 
smoothing  the  brow,  washing  the  heated  face,  giving  the  cooling  drink, 
and  easing  the  position  of  the  restless.  Hope  beamed  in  their  eyes, 
as  they  saw  a  kind  form  walking  softly  in  and  out  among  them,  and 
felt  a  kind  hand  touching  them.  After  they  were  made  compara- 
tively comfortable,  I  again  went  around  and  told  them  why  I  had 


DELEGATES.  593 

come  to  them  in  these  deeds  of  mercy, — that  I  did  it  for  Christ's 
sake,  and  for  their  soul's  sake.  I  then  talked  of  Jesus  and  his  love, 
and  prayed  with  them  in  whispers,  and  heard  their  softly-spoken 
replies,  as  they  freely  opened  their  hearts  and  confidingly  poured 
hopes  and  fears  and  wants  into  my  ear.  O,  how  grateful  the  men 
were!  How  grateful  I  was!  One  after  another  would  say,  "Now 
pray  for  me"  " for  me"  " for  me"  as  I  arose  from  one  and  another 
prostrate  form. 

-It  is  impossible  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the  various  incidents 
and  phases  of  interesting  and  affecting  things  I  heard  and  met  with. 
One  noble-looking  fellow  confessed  to  me,  after  thanking  me  for  the 
bodily  relief  I  had  given,  that  he  had  been  a  bad  boy,  had  despised 
the  instructions  and  counsels  of  pious  parents.  He  wept  freely.  I 
prayed  with  him.  The  next  morning,  as  I  entered,  he  called  me  to 
his  side  and  said,  "  Chaplain"  (they  call  all  the  Delegates  of  the 
Christian  Commission  "  Chaplain"),  "  I  have  found  the  Saviour.  I 
have  found  Jesus.  Do  write  home  for  me,  and  tell  them  that  they 
may  rejoice  with  me." 

On  the  first  morning  I  held  a  little  service  of  singing  and  prayer 
in  my  division,  with  the  common  consent  of  the  men,  and  told  them 
the  simple  and  touching  story  of  the  little  girl  who  had  lost  her 
father,  but  did  not  understand  her  sad  loss,  nor  the  dread  nature  of 
death  and  the  grave.  Her  mother  explained,  through  tears,  that 
God  had  sent  for  father,  and  that  by  and  by  he  would  send  for  them, 
and  there  was  no  telling  how  soon.  The  artless  child,  on  this,  ex- 
claimed, "Well,  then,  mother,  if  God  is  going  to  send  for  us  soon, 
and  we  don 't  know  just  when,  had  n't  we  better  begin  to  pack  up 
now,  and  get  ready  to  go?"  This  incident  seemed  to  take  hold  of 
the  men.  It  could  so  well  be  applied  to  their  present  needs.  "  Ah, 
chaplain,"  said  one  to  me  afterwards,  "  I  'm  glad  you  told  us  that  story 
about  packing  up;  it  made  the  thing  so  plain  to  me.  I  have  n't  much 
learning,  and  I  haven't  tried  to  understand  these  things  much,  but 
now  I  see  through  it  all.  I  want  you  to  help  me  pack  up.  Will  you 
pray  with  me,  chaplain?"  I  knelt  by  his  side.  Whilst  speaking 
with  God,  the  earnest  heart  cried  out,  "  O,  do,  Lord,  help  me,  help 
me."  It  was  a  solemn  season.  The  Holy  Spirit  was  there.  "  This 
poor  man  cried  and  the  Lord  heard  him."  I  was  about  to  leave,  to 
go  to  another  who  had  beckoned  to  me,  when  the  dear  boy  said,  "  O, 

75 


594  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

I  thank  you,  chaplain  ;  I  am  happy  now;  I  have  found  Jesus."  He 
was  radiant  with  joy,  so  that  I  wondered.  I  said  to  him,  "  But  what 
of  your  poor  body?"  He  had  been  shot  through  the  right  shoulder 
and  left  leg,  and  had  had  an  arm  taken  off.  "  Do  you  suffer  much 
now?"  "O,"  said  he,  "my  wounds  are  nothing  now.  I  can  bear 
them  all ;  I  have  peace  within."  At  his  request  I  sat  down,  with  a 
full  heart,  and  wrote  to  his  wife,  informing  her  of  his  condition  of 
body,  but  with  particular  emphasis,  as  he  urged,  of  the  blessed 
change  that  had  come  over  his  soul.  Indeed  it  was  wonderful,  to  see 
the  forgetfulness  of  bodily  suffering  in  the  new-found  joy  which 
filled  this  wounded  soldier's  heart. 

We  sang  "  Rest  for  the  weary,"  and  one  man,  whose  whole  thigh 
had  been  shattered  by  a  shell,  lay  there  perfectly  calm,  patient, 
even  happy.  He  smiled  as  I  came  to  him,  and  said,  "  O,  how  that 
hymn  cheered  me !  I  forgot  my  pains  whilst  I  listened  to  it ;  and  I 
know  it  cheered  many  of  the  boys." 

The  leaven  of  early  parental  instruction,  and  the  sweet  power  of 
home,  is  seen  working  wonderfully  in  this  distant  place  and  day,  and 
in  these  strange  scenes.  Mother,  father,  sister,  wife,  children,  were 
constantly  on  the  lips  of  the  men.  To  these  softening  influences  and 
faithful  labors  of  those  at  home,  many,  with  tears  of  gratitude  and 
words  of  affection,  attributed,  under  God,  their  salvation.  One  said 
to  me,  "  Chaplain,  I  have  just  given  my  heart  to  Christ,  and  I  pray 
you  sit  right  down  and  write  to  my  mother.  O,  how  it  will  gladden 
her  heart ! "  and  the  tears  ran  like  rain  down  his  cheeks.  "  O,  how 
my  dear  mother  will  rejoice  when  she  hears  it!  She  does  not  know  I 
am  wounded,  and  it  may  be  she  thinks  I  am  killed,  because  it  was  so 
reported  by  my  sergeant.  But  I  want  her  to  know  I  am  a  Christian. 
O,  how  glad,  how  glad,  it  will  make  her ! " 

Another,  to  whom  we  had  ministered,  called  me  to  him,  and  said 
he  had  found  Jesus  while  lying  in  his  helplessness  and  pain,  and  he 
would  be  thankful  if  I  Avould  write  to  his  wife.  "  O,  how  it  will  fill 
her  heart  with  joy!"  said  he;  "I  have  a  glorious  wife;  I  know  she  has 
been  praying  for  me  all  the  time ;  and  now  I  want  her  to  know  that 
her  prayers  have  been  answered."  He  seemed  to  be  too  full  for  calm 
utterance.  The  Christian  Commission  came  in  for  a  large  share  of 
his  expressions  of  gratitude.  Another  dear  boy  said,  "  Will  you 
please  write  to  papa  and  mamma,  and  tell  them  my  wound  is  slowly 


DELEGATES.  595 

mending,  and  that  I  enjoy  the  presence  of  ray  Saviour,  and  am  happy 
in  the  Lord  ?  I  rest  in  Jesus,  and  he  sustains  me." 

These  are  but  few  of  the  many  cheering  evidences  that  the  Lord 
has  blessed  this  kind  of  labor.  The  work  cannot  be  pictured  in  its 
vividness,  its  blessedness.  Souls  are  daily  brought  to  Christ,  without 
doubt,  and  lives  are  saved  by  the  score  and  hundreds.  Daily  we 
hear,  "  Had  it  not  been  for  you  men  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
we,should  have  died  for  want  of  food  and  nursing;"  "  And  in  our 
sins,  too,"  some  have,  by  the  grace  of  God,  been  able  to  add. 

One  group  of  soldiers  claimed  my  deepest  sympathy.  Four  In- 
dians, from  Wisconsin,  lay  together,  bleeding  for  the  country  that 
had  once  been  the  wide  domain  of  their  fathers.  I  lay  down  close 
to  one,  and  spoke  of  Jesus  and  his  salvation.  His  eye  brightened. 
He  had  heard  that  blessed  name  before,  and  in  his  broken  way  said, 
"I  love  him;  I  love  him."  I  commended  his  spirit  to  God,  and 
then  sang  him  to  sleep, — for  he  died  while  we  were  singing.  The 
other  three  Indians  were  unable  to  speak.  May  God  help  them!  I 
gave  them  some  refreshment  and  left  them. 

One  other  incident  may  point  a  reflection.  It  is  no  uncommon 
one  in  the  history  of  the  Christ-like  work  of  the  Commission.  I 
came  to  a  poor  boy  Avho  was  shot  in  the  breast,  and  said  to  him, 
"My  dear  boy,  how  are  you  getting  along?"  At  first  he  made  no 
reply.  I  saw  a  tear  glistening  in  his  eye.  He  had  been  holding  his 
head  down.  He  looked  up  at  last  and  said,  "  I  am  a  rebel.  When 
you  washed  my  face  this  morning,  and  treated  me  so  tenderly,  O,  it 
made  me  feel  bad,  to  think  I  had  been  fighting  against  you."  He 
then  asked  me  where  I  was  from.  I  told  him  I  came  from  Phila- 
delphia; that  the  Christian  Commission  had  sent  me  to  him,  to  make 
him  comfortable,  as  far  as  I  could,  in  body  and  in  soul ;  and  asked 
him  if  I  could  minister  to  his  soul's  wants.  He  put  his  hands  to  his 
face,  shook  his  head,  while  the  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks.  He 
confessed  he  was  not  a  Christian.  He  was  touched  to  the  very 
centre.  I  left  him  with  hope  that  our  treatment  might  be  blessed  to 
his  eternal  good.  Our  kindness  certainly  seemed  like  heaping  coals 
of  fire  on  his  head. 

This  is  but  a  fragmentary  and  very  imperfect  sketch  of  the  labors 
of  ten  days.  The  gratitude  of  the  men,  their  appreciation  of  the 
smallest  service,  their  tenderness  of  heart,  and  the  glorious  oppor- 


596  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

tunity  of  sowing  in  this  softened  ground  the  good  seed  of  the  king- 
dom, cannot  be  estimated.  O  that  the  church  of  God  were  fully 
alive  to  the  vastness  and  grandeur  of  the  field  spread  before  her, 
and  would  understand  and  do  her  whole  duty  in  this  day  of  grace. 
I  close  by  repeating  the  sentiment  of  the  grateful  soldiers,  one  and 
all,  and  the  prayer  that  is  increasingly  becoming  the  prayer  of  the 
church  of  Christ  throughout  the  land, — "God  bless  the  Christian 
Commission!"  ISAAC  BAKER. 

The  third  report  is  from  the  battle-field.  Walter  S. 
Carter,  Esq.,  of  Milwaukee,  was  in  the  company  of 
Delegates  present  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  December 
15  and  16, 1864, — having  gone  from  the  Convention  at 
Indianapolis,  to  assist  in  caring  for  those  who  were 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Franklin.1  He  writes  thus:  — 

Those  days  of  blessed  labor  and  delightful  fellowship  were  ended, — 
labor  with  our  sick  and  wounded  heroes  in  the  hospitals  of  Nash- 
ville, fellowship  with  those  noble  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion, who  were  there  to  minister  to  them  in  spiritual  and  temporal  things. 
Thursday  morning  (December  15)  we  were  to  start  homeward.  Good- 
bys  and  God-bless-yous  were  being  uttered,  when  Brother  Smith,  the 
Field  Agent,  handed  me  a  letter.  It  was  from  a  surgeon  (to 
another),  saying  that  on  the  morrow  would  "  almost  certainly"  be 
fought  one  of  the  greatest  battles  of  the  war.  Should  we  go? 
"  No,"  said  Brother  Jacobs.  "  No,"  repeated  Brother  Dutcher. 
"  No,"  said  we  all.  A  few  words,  such  as  might  be  expected  under 
such  circumstances,  and  we  went  to  bed,  though  scarcely  to  sleep. 
Long  before  the  day's  coming  over  forty  Delegates  were  astir.  A 
hurried  breakfast,  and  we  were  gathered  together  for  our  devotions. 
How  that  prayer  of  Brother  Smith  will  linger  in  memory.  Brother 
Jacobs  could  not  have  helped  saying  "Amen,"  if  he  had  tried,  and  he 
didn't  try.  It  was  so  simple,  so  direct,  so  heartfelt, — so  full  of 
earnestness,  faith,  and  power.  Its  burden  was,  first  for  victory,  and 
then,  if  achieved,  that  it  might  be  at  small  cost.  How  a  merciful 
God  answered  it,  let  the  wonderful  accounts  of  Thursday's  and 
Friday's  battles  show. 

1  See  p.  188. 


DELEGATES.  597 

ASSIGNMENT  OF  DELEGATES. — A  few  were  sent  to  Steadman, 
who  held  the  left;  a  larger  number  each  to  Schofield  (Twenty-third 
Corps),  left  centre;  Wood  (Fourth  Corps),  right  centre;  A.  J.  Smith 
(Sixteenth  Corps),  right ;  and  an  adequate  force  in  reserve,  to  for- 
ward supplies  promptly  to  those  at  the  front. 

BATTLE-FIELD  OUTFIT. — A  leather  haversack,  containing  stimu- 
lants, dried  beef,  crackers,  etc. ;  a  strong  cotton  bag,  filled  with  lint, 
bandages,  pins,  sponges,  towels,  etc. ;  a  pail,  with  coffee,  condensed 
milk,  sugar,  tin  dippers,  etc.;  and  a  small  lantern  for  night  work  on 
the  field  and  in  the  flying  hospital. 

Our  assignment  was  to  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  with  one  exception 
composed  wholly  of  Western  and  Northwestern  regiments.  In  it 
Ohio  had  her  Seventy-second  and  Ninety-fifth ;  Indiana,  her  Fifty- 
second,  Eighty-ninth,  and  Ninety-third ;  Illinois,  her  Forty-ninth, 
Fifty-eighth,  Seventy-second,  Eighty-first,  Ninety-fifth,  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth,  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth,  One  Hundred  and 
Nineteenth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second ;  Missouri,  her 
Seventh,  Eleventh,  Twenty-first,  Thirty-third,  and  Fortieth;  Kansas, 
her  Tenth  ;  Iowa,  her  Twelfth,  Twenty-seventh,  Thirty-second,  and 
Eighty-fifth  ;  Wisconsin,  her  Eighth,  Fourteenth,  and  Thirty-third ; 
and  Minnesota,  her  Fifth,  Seventh,  Ninth,  and  Tenth.  The  batteries 
were  wholly  from  Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri,  and  Iowa. 

WITH  THE  ADVANCE. —  We  took  the  Hardin  pike  and  travelled 
West  about  three  miles,  when  we  reached  our  outer  line  of  works, 
from  which  our  troops  had  just  marched,  and  a  short  distance  be- 
yond which  they  were  formed  in  line.  What  a  magnificent  sight ! 
Ten  thousand  men  in  battle  array!  Some  distance  in  advance  our 
skirmishers  were  gradually  feeling  their  way  towards  the  enemy's 
lines.  Soon  a  number  of  horsemen  pass  by.  That  gray-haired  and 
whiskered  man,  with  spectacles,  is  A.  J.  Smith,  one  of  the  most  tre- 
mendous fighters  that  ever  drew  a  sword  in  behalf  of  a  righteous 
cause.  The  young,  light-complexioned  officer  by  him  is  Wilson, 
commander  of  the  cavalry.  Not  many  minutes  go  by  before  aids 
are  dashing  over  the  field,  the  order  to  advance  goes  from  the  corps 
to  division,  from  division  to  brigade,  and  from  brigade  to  regimental 
commanders,  and  the  whole  line  is  in  motion.  On  they  go,  nearly  a 
mile,  and  then  the  sharp  discharge  of  musketry  tells  us  that  the 
skirmishers  are  having  a  warm  time.  We  keep  well  up  to  the  front, 


598  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and  presently  down  the  road  we  see  coming  a  division  of  cavalry. 
They  go  on  over  the  rebel  works  with  a  shout,  and  Hood's  line  is 
broken.  Then  our  infantry,  pressing  on  and  doubling  up  his  right 
flank,  drive  him  sharply  toward  the  South,  till  they  are  stopped  by  a 
strong  fort  on  the  crest  of  a  hill.  Our  batteries  try  to  silence  it,  but 
in  vain.  At  length  the  Ninth  Illinois  dismounted  cavalry,  with  one 
or  two  supporting  regiments,  march  around  to  its  rear,  and,  charging 
up  the  hill  on  a  double-quick,  the  guns  and  upwards  of  two  hundred 
prisoners  are  captured.  Proceeding  towards  the  fort,  we  meet  several 
ambulances  filled  with  wounded.  In  one  is  Captain  J.  W.  Harper, 
of  Belvidere,  Illinois,  commanding  the  Ninth  cavalry,  shot  through 
the  right  arm  ;  we  do  what  we  can  for  him  and  his  companions  in 
suffering,  tell  him  we  will  write  his  wife,  and  push  on.  A  horrible 
spectacle  is  that  in  the  fort, — men  with  heads,  limbs,  and  arms  shot 
entirely  away.  One  of  the  rebel  dead  was  recognized  by  his  brother, 
fighting  in  our  army.  But  there  is  no  time  for  such  sights.  Down 
the  hill  the  rebels  who  escaped  are  fleeing.  Our  guns  are  brought 
to  bear  on  them  ;  up  goes  a  white  flag ;  and  Colonel  Butler's  brigade 
are  our  prisoners.  Half  or  three-quarters  .of  a  mile  beyond,  is  the 
second  rebel  line,  the  centre  of  which  is  a  high,  sugar-loaf  hill,  on 
which  a  battery  is  planted.  Instantly  twenty-four  of  our  own  guns 
and  the  four  just  taken  are  playing  upon  it.  How  their  discharge 
shakes  the  very  earth.  The  rebels  are  totally  unable  to  reply. 
Then  our  infantry  charge.  What  a  sight !  Up  the  steep  sides  of 
the  hill  they  go,  not  a  man  faltering,  until  they  reach  the  summit, 
when  the  stars  and  stripes  are  flung  to  the  breeze,  the  second  rebel 
line  is  carried,  with  several  guns  and  many  prisoners  captured,  and 
a  glad  shout  of  victory  goes  from  one  end  of  our  army  to  the  other. 

The  battle  of  Thursday  is  ended ;  and  we  have  driven  the  enemy 
four  or  five  miles,  captured  his  first  and  second  lines  of  works,  fifteen 
hundred  prisoners,  and  sixteen  guns.  Well  can  our  brave  boys  afford 
to  rest. 

A  FLYING  HOSPITAL. — But  all  this  had  not  been  accomplished 
without  considerable  loss  to  us.  Many  a  gallant  spirit  had  fallen. 
Colonel  Hill,  Thirty-fifth  Iowa,  commanding  a  brigade  of  Mc- 
Arthur's  division,  and  not  a  few  officers  and  privates,  had  been 
killed,  while  in  many  places  along  the  line  the  wounded  were  thickly 
lying.  Our  first  care,  in  connection  with  the  surgeons  and  chaplains, 


DELEGATES.  599 

was  to  get  them  to  a  large  mansion  near  by  (Comptor's),  where  a  fly- 
ing hospital  was  established.  We  went  over  the  field  with  our 
lanterns,  carefully  searching  for  the  dead  and  wounded.  When  one 
of  the  former  was  found,  we  carried  him  and  placed  him  along  with 
others,  ready  for  a  soldier's  burial ;  when  one  of  the  latter,  he  was 
assisted,  or  carried  on  a  stretcher,  to  the  hospital,  as  circumstances 
required.  Going  over  the  field,  late  in  the  evening,  I  stumbled  upon 
a  dead  body.  Removing  the  blanket  that  covered  it,  I  found  lying 
bv  it  a  soldier  asleep.  Upon  waking  him  I  found  he  was  a  brother 
of  the  deceased,  and  had  come  to  lie  by  him  for  the  last  time.  As 
we  removed  the  body,  he  followed,  sobbing,  and,  when  we  laid  it 
down,  again  sought  its  side  for  the  night's  rest.  "  He  was  only  my 
half-brother,  but  I  loved  him  just  as  well,"  was  his  exclamation,  in 
broken  French,  as  we  took  leave.  Upon  another  body  (that  of 
George  Walker,  One  Hundred  and  Eleventh  Ohio),  I  found  a 
soldier's  hymn-book,  completely  saturated  with  his  own  heart's  blood, 
and  through  the  crimson  stain  I  read,  "Presented  by  the  United 
States  Christian  Commission."  I  brought  it  home  as  a  precious  relic 
of  that  field  of  death  and  glory. 

The  wounded  all  safely  from  the  field,  and  in  the  hospital,  our 
next  care  was  to  provide  them  with  something  to  eat  and  drink. 
Beef  tea  and  coffee  were  prepared,  and  with  pails  of  these,  plenty  of 
tin  dippers,  and  haversacks  filled  with  soft  crackers,  we  went  about, 
giving  to  each  as  much  as  he  desired.  Meanwhile,  other  Delegates 
were  busy  combing  out  the  tangled  hair,  sponging  the  bloody  face, 
wiping  off  the  grim  marks  of  strife,  aiding  the  surgeons  in  any  and 
every  way,  while  still  others  could  be  seen,  telling  such  as  were  soon 
to  die,  of  Jesus,  his  love,  his  sacrifice  for  sin,  his  power  to  save,  his 
willingness  to  save,  and  then  lifting  the  voice  in  prayer,  and  implor- 
ing God's  Spirit  to  come  down  and  make  his  temple  in  that  sinking 
breast,  and  save,  ere  it  fled,  that  passing  soul. 

It  was  nearly  midnight  when  we  sought  the  rest  our  wearied 
bodies  so  much  needed.  The  next  morning,  before  light,  we  were 
up,  and  again  refreshments  were  prepared  and  served  to  the  men. 
Several,  whose  groans  filled  our  ears  the  night  before,  had  gone  to 
sleep, — the  sleep  "  without  dreams." 

FRIDAY  MORNING. — All  night  the  rebels  were  incessantly  at 
work,  strengthening  their  third  and  last  line  of  works.  It  was  but 


600  AXNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

a  little  distance  in  advance  of  the  second,  its  left  (our  right)  circling 
along  the  summit  of  a  range  of  high  hills,  and  extending  toward  the 
left,  through  a  succession  of  open  fields.  Early  in  the  morning,  A. 
J.  Smith  moved  his  corps  well  up  to  their  line,  and  halted  it.  All 
day  it  remained  there,  protected  only  by  such  slight  works  as  the 
men  were  able  to  make.  My  position  was  about  twenty  rods  in  the 
rear,  behind  a  tree.  As  wounded  men  were  borne  from  the  lines,  I 
would  go,  give  them  such  things  as  they  needed,  and  then  retire 
behind  my  "  intrenchments."  Thus  the  day  passes  (though  Schofield 
and  the  cavalry,  further  on  the  right,  and  Wood  and  Steadman,  on 
the  left,  are  heavily  engaged),  until  about  four  o'clock,  when  General 
Thomas  and  staff  ride  by.  Shortly  after,  A.  J.  Smith  comes  up  and 
takes  his  place  near  to  the  line.  Our  artillery,  also,  which  has  thun- 
dered all  day,  now  seems  to  something  more  than  thunder.  Pre- 
sently I  hear  a  shout ;  I  look,  and  our  men  have  risen  from  where 
they  have  been  lying,  and  are  charging  across  the  field.  The  rebels 
pour  in  a  terrible  fire,  but  it  cannot  check  the  impetuosity  of  our 
Western  and  Northwestern  heroes,  and  over  the  works  they  go, 
capturing  two  generals,  between  two  and  three  thousand  prisoners, 
and  sixteen  guns. 

Now  my  work  has  begun  in  earnest.  Strewn  thick  upon  the  field 
are  several  hundred  of  our  killed  and  wounded.  McArthur's  divi- 
sion has  five  hundred  less  than  when  he  encountered  that  storm  of 
"  leaden  rain  and  iron  hail."  The  Eighth  Wisconsin  lost  sixty  men 
in  one-fourth  as  many  minutes,  and  other  regiments  have  suffered 
proportionally.  I  make  my  way  to  the  field,  and,  as  I  come  to  the 
wounded,  give  them  stimulants  and  crackers.  General  A.  J.  Smith 
rides  up,  and,  dismounting,  offers  me  his  hand,  asks  my  name,  and 
tells  me,  "  History  has  no  parallel  for  such  labors ;  never,  since  the 
Saviour  was  on  earth,  have  men  gone  forth  on  as  holy  a  mission." 

Our  victorious  lines  are  pressing  on,  and  I  go  with  them,  nearly  to 
Brentwood.  Returning,  Brother  Jacobs  has  converted  the  Cartwell 
mansion  into  a  hospital,  and  has  it  filled  with  w-ounded.  He  has 
dispatched  a  team  to  the  city,  to  bring  more  supplies.  Establishing 
hospitals  is  surgeon's  work,  but  Brother  J.  has  done  it  well,  and 
they  are  rejoiced  to  have  his  efficient  and  timely  aid.  And  now 
begins  a  round  of  duties  similar  to  that  of  the  previous  evening, 
except  on  a  larger  scale,  so  that  we  do  not  even  try  to  sleep.  Pass- 


DELEGATES.  601 

ing  into  a  room,  I  hear  my  name  pronounced,  and  there  lies  Edward 
F.  Wright,  Seventh  Minnesota,  whose  acquaintance  I  had  made  but  a 
day  or  two  before,  with  a  severe  wound  in  his  head.  I  inquire  for 
his  brother-in-law,  F.  H.  Fessenden,  and  am  told  that  during  the 
charge,  turning  to  inquire  how  badly  he  (Wright)  was  wounded,  a 
bullet  struck  him  in  the  head,  killing  him  instantly.  Before  starting, 
he  said, '"If  I  fall,  tell  my  mother  that  I  died  trusting  in  Christ." 
I  go  among  the  dead,  find  his  body,  take  from  it  the  hymn-book 
presented  him  by  the  Christian  Commission,  and  have,  since  my 
return,  with  warm,  sympathizing  words,  mailed  it  to  his  widowed 
mother,  at  Brattleboro,  Vt. 

Saturday  morning  comes,  and  with  it  the  news  that  Hood's  whole 
army  is  on  the  retreat.  I  have  learned  not  to  believe  all  I  hear  in 
the  army,  but  soon  the  rush  of  cavalry,  and  quickened  tramp  of 
infantry  along  the  pike,  tell  me  that  this  time  the  intelligence  is 
true.  And  now,  to  men  whom  I  have  known  but  a  night,  but  who 
are  still  dear  to  me  because  of  their  sufferings  for  the  country  we 
love,  I  must  bid  farewell,  to  meet  them  again  only  in  eternity. 

The  Commission  refers  confidently  to  the  subjoined 
list  of  their  Delegates.  It  includes  the  names  of  men 
from  all  denominations  of  Christians  and  from  every 
section  of  the  loyal  States.  In  connection  with  the  re- 
sults of  the  work  itself,  this  catalogue  of  names  is  the 
most  satisfactory  evidence  which  the  Commission  can 
present  to  those  whose  benefactions  it  dispensed,  that 
their  great  trust  was  faithfully  and  wisely  administered. 


DELEGATE    S     BADGE. 

76 


602 


ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


LIST  OF  DELEGATES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  CHRISTIAN  COMMIS- 
SION, WITH  POST-OFFICE  ADDRESS,  NUMBER  OF  COMMISSION, 
AND  OFFICE  AT  WHICH  THE  COMMISSION  WAS  ISSUED. 

EXPLANATION. — The  list  of  each  year  is  given  separately,  in  alphabetical  order.  The  figures  at  the 
end  of  the  line  show  the  number  of  the  commission, —  these  numbers  being  in  continuous  series 
from  the  beginning  to  the  close  of  the  work.  The  letters  which  precede  the  numbers  indicate  the 
office  at  which  the  commission  was  issued,  the  abbreviations  being  thus: — Alb.,  Albany;  Bos.,  Bos- 
ton; Bal.,  Baltimore ;  Bkn.,  Brooklyn ;  Buf.,  Buffalo;  Cin.,  Cincinnati;  Chi.,  Chicago;  Cle.,  Cleve- 
land; Del.,  Detroit;  Gbg.,  Gettysburg;  Hbg.,  Harrisbnrg ;  liar.,  Hartford;  Ind.,  Indianapolis; 
Lou.,  Louisville;  Mil.,  Milwaukee;  N.  Y.,  New  York;  Pha.,  Philadelphia;  Pbg.,  Pittsburg;  Peo., 
Peoria;  Roc.,  Rochester;  St.  L.,  St.  Louis;  St.  P.,  St.  Paul;  Try.,  Troy;  TJta.,  Utica;  Wn.,  Washing- 
ton ;  Wg.,  Wheeling.  Where  a  Delegate  went  to  the  army  tnore  than  once  within  the  same  year, 
the  number  of  such  visits  is  shown  by  a  figure  affixed  to  his  name  in  parentheses, —  the  number  of 
commission  given  being  that  of  the  first  he  received  A  Delegate  who  died  while  in  service,  or 
from  disease  contracted  while  in  service,  has  his  name  marked  with  a  star  (*).  The  post-office  address 
given  is  that  of  the  Delegate  at  the  time  of  his  service.  [See  page  638.] 

COMMISSIONED    IN    1862. 


Alday,  Rev.  J.  II.,  D.  ».,  Philadelphia.  Pha.  95 

Alexander,  Rev.  H.  C..  New  York Pha.  79 

Anderson,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Philad'a Pha.  25 

Ash  ton,  A.  II.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia Pha.  15 

Atkinson,  Thos.,  Chicago Pha.  167 

Baird,  Rev.  S.  J.,  P.D.,  Woodbury,  N.  J.  Pha.  129 

Ball,  Rev.  R.  II Bal. 

Ballantyne,  Win.,  Washington Pha.  152 

Bantz.  Gideon,  Frederick,  Md Bal. 

Barnett.  Rev.  J.  M.,  Hillsville,  Pa Pha.  178 

Itayley,  Henry,  Baltimore Bal. 

Beatty,  Rev.  Arch.,  Philadelphia Pha.  72 

Best,  Rev.  Wesley  C.,  Philadelphia....  Pha.  100 

Blackburne,  Wm Pha.  121 

Blackwood.  Rev.  Win.,  D.  D.,  Philad'a.  Pha.  175 

Blauvelt,  Rev.  Augustus,  Philad'a Pha.  8 

Bliss,  Rev.  Jno.  C.,  Carlisle,  Pa Pha.  13 

Boardmau,  Rev.  Wm.  E.,  Philad'a Pha.  43 

Bodine,  Rev.  Henry  H.,  Philad'a Pha.  99 

Bomberger,Rev.J.H.A.,D.D.,  Philad'a.  Pha.  93 

Boyle,  Rev.  W.  E Pha.  74 

Brace,  Rev.  F.  R.,  Hammonton,  N.  J..  Pha.  86 

Bradbury,  Benj.  F.,  Bangor,  Me Bos.  189 

Brayman,  Mrs.  J.  0.,  Chicago Chi. 

Briughurst,  Rev.  Geo.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  1 

Brown,  A.  H..  Princeton,  N.  J Pha.  197 

Brown,  G.  E..  Baltimore Bal. 

Brown,  Jno.  C.,  Coatesville,  Pa Pha.  38 

Buck,  Rev.  Edward,  Orland,  Me Bos.  214 

Burgster,  Jos.  K.,  Washington Pha.  212 

Burlingame,  W.,  M.  ».,  Baltimore Bal. 

Buzelle,  Rev.  Geo.  B.,  Baugor,  Me Bos.  187 

Carey,  W.  F.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Carson,  Rev.  .las.  G.,  Claysville,  Pa....  Pha.  193 

Castle,  Rev.  Jno.  H.,  West  Philad'a...  Pha.  26 

Chaffee.Wm Pha  70 

Chidlaw,  Rev.  B.  W.,  Cleves,  Ohio Pha.  181 

Coffin,  0.  Vincent,  Brooklyn pua.  126 


Coffin,  Selden  J.,  Easton,  Pa Pha,  201 

Coggins,  Rev.  Thos Bal. 

Cole,  Jno.  A.,  Medway,  Mass Bos.  55 

Conarroe,  Geo.  M.,  Philadelphia Pha.  122 

Conklin.N.  J.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem.  Pha.  207 

Conrade,  D.,  Philadelphia Pha.  131 

Cook,  Rev.  Geo.,  Amhcrst,  Mass Pha.  192 

Corbett,  II.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem Pha.  211 

Corey,  Rev.  Chas.  H.,  Seabrook,  N.  II.  Bos.  ?5 

Crate.  Rev.  — .,  Moorestown,  N.  J Pha.  142 

Crawford,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Brattleboro',  Vt.  Pha.  73 

Cressy,  G.  N.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Crouch,  Rev.  C.  J Pha.  209- 

Crowell,  Rev.  Jas.  M.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  18 

Cummings,  J.  C.,  Philadelphia Pha.  66 

Cunningham,  Rev.  Jas.,  D.D.,  Phila....  Pha.  58 

Cashing,  Rev.  C.,  N'th  Brookfield.  Ms.  Bos.  145 

Dean,  Benj.  A.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem.  Pha.  205 

Deitz,  Rev.  Chas.  M.,  Imlaystown,  N.J.  Pha.  182 

Demond,  Charles,  Boston,  Mass Pha.  91 

Dickson,  David,  Philadelphia. Pha.  130 

Dixon,  Jno.,  Chicago Chi. 

Doane,  Rev.  H.,  Peoria,  111 Chi.  170 

Dobbins,  Rev.  Jas.  B.,  Philadelphia...  Pha,  90 

Douglass,  Rev.  R.  D.,  Bangor,  Me Bos.  185 

Doyle,  E.  T Chi.  172 

Duff(3),  Wm.  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  65 

Dunwoody,  Jesse  B.,  Coatesville,  Pa...  Pha.  39 

Eakin,  W.  S.,  Nashville,  Tennessee...  Pha.  210 

Eastman,  Rev.  0.,  New  York Pha.  161 

Eastman,  Rev.  Wm.  R.,  New  York Plia.  195 

Elder,  Rev.  J.  G..  Clarion,  Pa Pha.  179 

Ellis,  C.B Pha.  164 

Eltonhead  (2),  Wm.  B.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.  58 

Faser,  Christian,  Philadelphia Pha.  194 

Fi-ndall,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Moorestown,  N.  J..  Pha.  141 

Ford,  Jas.  G.,  Coatesville,  Pa Pha.  41 

Frascko,  Charles,  Baltimore Bal. 


LIST    OF    DELEGATES. 1862. 


603 


Garritee,  Wm.  L.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Getty,  Wm.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Gilroy,  Rev.  Henry  E.,  Pottsville,  Pa..  Pha. 

Gracey,  Rev.  S.  L.,  Media,  Pa Pha. 

Grant  (2),  Jas.,  Philadelphia Pha, 

Gray,  A.  J.,  M.B.,  Orland,  Me Bos. 

Greene,  Rev.  Jos.  P.,  Bangor,  Me Bos. 

Haldy,  Louis Pha. 

Hank,  Lewis,  Baltimore Bal. 

Harlau(2),  Abram  D.,  Coatesville......  Pha. 

Harrigau,  Andrew Bal. 

Harrison  Wm.  H.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Hartshorue,  Henry,  M.  D.,  Philad'a Pha. 

Hawley,  E.  W.,  Chicago Chi. 

Herring,  0.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Higgins,  Mrs.  E.,  Chicago Bal. 

Holliday,  Wm.  A.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Horner,  E.  R.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Hotchkin,  Rev.  B.  B.,  Haverford,  Pa..  Pha. 

Howard,  C.  M Chi. 

Jacobs,  B.  F.,  Chicago Chi. 

Jacobs,  Mrs.  B.  F.,  Chicago Chi. 

James,  B.  W.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia 7.  Pha. 

Janeway,  Rev.  J.  B.  H.,  Philadelphia..  Pha. 

Jenkins,  Jno Pha. 

Jones (2),  Rev.  Jno.,  Princeton.  N.  J...  Pha. 
Karsuer,  Rev.  C.,  M.  D.,  Gerinantown, 

Pa Pha. 

Kaufmann,  Jos.  C.,  Coatesville,  Pa, Pha. 

Kelso,  I.  T.,  Baltimore 

Kendall,  B 

Kerr,  Alex.,  Philadelphia 

Keviuski,  Jno.  B.,  Lancaster,  Pa Pha. 

Kimball,*  Jas.  Sherman,  Boston Bos. 

King,  Edward  D Pha. 

King,  Rev.  Isaiah  D.,  Mt.  Holly,  N.  J..  Pha. 
Kiugsbury,  C.  A.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia..  Pha. 

Klein,  Juo Pha. 

Ladd,*  Rev.  Francis  Dudley,  Phila Pha. 

Latta,  Rev.  Wm.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Lee,  Rev.  Henry  F.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Lewis,  William Pha. 

Lowrie,  M.  B.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Magill* Rev. Chas.  B., Princeton, N.  J.  Pha. 

Marr,  Jas.  H.,  Princeton,  N.  J Pha. 

Marter,  Isaac  B Pha. 

Mason,  Thos.  T.,  Philadelphia. ,Pha. 

Matlack,  J.  F Pha. 

Matlack,  Rev.  R.  C.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Matthews,  A.  D.,  Brooklyn Pha. 

McAuley,  Rev.A.ti.,  Philad.-lphia Pha. 

McCullough,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Potteville,  Pa.  Pha. 
Mendenhall  ('2),  W.  B.,  Coatesville,  Pa.  Pha. 
Mershou,  Rev.  S.  L.,E.  Hampton,  N.V.  Pha. 
Milligan.  Rev.  J.  L.,  Princeton,  N.  J...  Pha. 

Milne,  Caleb  J.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Mingins  (2),  llev.  Ueo.  J.,  Huntingdon 

Valley,  Pa Pha. 

Mittau,  W.  H.,  Baltimore Bal. 


Bal. 
Pha. 
Pha. 


Moody  (2),  D.  L.,  Chicago Chi.  164 

Moody,  Mrs.  D.  L.,  Chicago Chi.  166 

Morrison  (2),  Win.  B.,  Coatesville,  Pa..  Pha.  24 

Morford,  Jas.  C.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Mowry,  Rev.  Philip  H.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.  107 

Mnller,  Henry,  Baltimore Bal. 

Muller,  Lewis,  Baltimore Bal. 

Neff,  Jno.  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  63 

Ogden.Jos.  II.,  Philadelphia Pha.  6 

Owen,  Rev.  Griffith,  Baltimore Bal. 

Owen,  John,  Baltimore Bal. 

Owen,  Rev.  Roger,  Gerinantown,  Pa...  Pha.  144 

Parker,  Jos.,  Beverly,  N.  J Pha.  5 

Parker,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Cambridge,  Ms...  Bos.  51 

Patterson,  Rev.  D.  L Pha.  59 

Patterson,  Edward,  New  York Pha.  32 

Patterson,  Rev.  Robt.,  D.D.,  Chicago...  Chi.  46 

Patterson,  Stuart,  Philadelphia Pha.  31 

Parkhurst,  II.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Parvin,  Rev.  R.  J.,  Chelten  Hills,  Pa..  Pha.  87 

Peloubet,  Rev.  F.  N.,  Oakham,  Mass...  Bos.  149 

Pheion,  Chas.  J Pha.  81 

Phillips,  Jno.  L Pha.  42 

Prerner,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Lebanon,  Pa Bal. 

Pollock,  Jas Bal. 

Quein,  Geo.,  Philadelphia Pha.  97 

Reed  (2),  Rev.  Alex.,  Parkesburg,  Pa..  Pha.  14 

Reeves,  Abraham Pha.  151 

Reynolds,  Rev.  B.  P.,  Philadelphia....  Pha.  56 

Reynolds,  Wm.,  Peoria,  111 Pha.  92 

Rhoads,  Jno.  P.,  Philadelphia Pha.  105 

Robinson,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  47 

Rockwood,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Roxbury,  Mass.  Pha.  176 

Rollin,  Howard Pha.  139 

Rowland,  L.  P.,  Jr.,  Boston Pha.  133 

Union,  D.  C Pha.  75 

Ruth,  Rev.  Jno Pha.  101 

Sanner,  S.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Sargent,  Henry,  Philadelphia Pha.  64 

Sayre,  Sylvanus,  Princeton,  N.  J Pha.  34 

Scott,  11.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem.,  N.  J..  Pha.  208 

Seaver,  Rev.  Jos.  H.,  Salem,  Mass Bos.  184 

Senior,  Davis Pha.  119 

Sexton,  Thos.,  Chicago Chi. 

Shearer,  F.  E.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem..  Pha.  153 

Shearer,  G.  L.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem..  Pha.  200 

Shilliugford,  II.  H.,  Philadelphia Pha.  9 

Shirley,  Jos Pha.  120 

Simons,  Peter  B.,  Philadelphia Pha.  4 

Simpson,  Rev.  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2 

Sloan,  Rev.  I.  O.,  Philadelphia Pha.  8 

Smith,  A.  C.,  Princeton  Theol.  Som_.  Pha.  203  < 

Smith,  Horace  J.,  Philadelphia Pha.  20  ' 

Smith,  Rev.  Wm.  C I'ha,  177 

Snow,  B.  S.,  Boston Bos.  150 

Speakman,  Allan,  Coatesville,  Pa Pha.  112 

Si,  ,  I, .  Ki-v.  David,  Philadelphia Pha.  27 

,-u  IT,  tt.  Rev.  Wm.,  Philadelphia Pha.  11 

Stevens,  S.  S.,  Baltimore Bal.  .- 


604 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Stokes,  Edwin  L.,  Philadelphia  Bal. 

30 

A'arnum,  A.  C.,  Lowell,  Mass  

Pha. 

T61 

Stott,  Jacob  S.,  Coatesville,  Pa  Bal. 

36 

Watson,  Preston  M.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

«.' 

Suddards,  Rev.  W.,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia.  Bal. 

125 

Watson,  Samuel  B.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

•A. 

Sutton,  Rev.  J.  Ford,  New  York  Bal. 

183 

Webster,  C.  B.,  M.D.,  Norwich,  Ct  

Pha. 

M» 

Swope,  C.,  Philadelphia.  Bal. 

132 

Webster,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Hopkinson,  Me... 

Pha. 

IW 

Taggart,  Alex  Pha. 

109 

Weld,  Rev.  H.  II.,  Moorestown,  N.  J.  Pha. 

140 

Talmadge,  Rev.  T.  D.,  D.  D.,  Philada...  Pha. 

134 

Westwood,  Rev.  Hen.  C.,  Baltimore... 

Bal. 

Tate  Robert  S                              Pha. 

82 

Williams  Capt  E  C  . 

Pha. 

80 

Taylor,  Samuel,  Philadelphia  Pha. 

49 

Williams,  Rev.  J.  W.  M  

Bal. 

Tenuey,  Rev.  E.  P.,  Groton  June.,  Ms.  Bos. 

77 

Wilson,  Rev.  R.  J  

Pha. 

69- 

Thissell,  II.  N.,  Philadelphia  Pha. 

61 

Wood  Rev  Wm  B 

Pha. 

123 

Thomas,  Rev.  S.  W.,  Philadelphia  Pha. 

102 

Woodworth,  Mrs.  J.  H.,  Chicago  

Chi. 

Thompson,  Rev.  Jno.,  New  York  Pha. 

96 

Wright,  L.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

Thompson.  S.  H.,  Princeton  Theologi- 

Wriu-ht  Rev  W  J 

Pha. 

19 

206 

Wylie,  Rev.  T.  W.  J.,  D.D.,  Philada.... 

Pha. 

10 

Thompson,  Wm.  H.,  Coatesville,  Pa...  Pha. 

111 

Wynkoop,  T.S.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem.. 

Pha. 

202 

Torrence(2),  Rev.  I.  II.,  Philadelphia.  Pha. 

60 

Yale,  A.  S  

Pha. 

64 

Treat,  Chas.  R.,  Boston,  Ms  Bos. 

190 

Young,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

10 

Van  Wyck,  Mrs.  F.  P.,  Chicago  Chi. 

Young,  Robert  A.,  Coatesville,  Pa.  

Pha. 

118 

COMMISSIONED    IN    1863. 

Abbe,  Rev.  F.  R.,  Abington,  Mass  Bos. 

471 

Barber,  Geo.  G.,  M.  D.,  Norwalk,  Ohio. 

Cin. 

1053 

Abbott,  S.  S.,  Derby,  Vt  Bos. 

657 

Barlow,  Rev.  Henry  

Gbg. 

1396 

Abbott,  Rev.  T.  J.,  Oakdale,  Mass  Bos. 

517 

Barnitz,  John,  New  Oxford,  Pa  

Pha. 

893 

Adair  Rev    J  M             Gbg 

1245 

Barrelle  Rev  Almou 

N.  Y. 

697 

Adams,  Edwin  A..  Walpole,  Mass  Bos. 

583 

Barrows,  Prof.  E.  P.,  ».  D.,  Andover 

Adams,*  Rev.  J.  B.,  Pitteton,  Pa  Pha. 

966 

Theological  Seminary,  Mass  

Bos. 

468 

Adams,  Rev.  J.  E.,  New  Sharon,  Me...  Bos. 

652 

Barrows,  Rev.  Jno.  0.,  Mansfield,  Ct.. 

Bos. 

889 

Adams  J  R                          Gbg 

1242 

Barrows,  Rev.  W.,  D.  D.,  Reading,  Ms. 

Bos. 

892 

Adamson  Rev   W  S                           ..  Pha 

483 

Baxley,  Claude,  M.  i>.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

10% 

Ainsworth,  Geo.  A.,  Williamstown,  Vt.  Bos. 

455 

Beacham,  J.  K.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

10SS 

Albert,  Rev.  I,.  E.,  Germantown,  Pa...  Pha. 

820 

Beacham,  Wm.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1087 

Albree  Jos    Pittsburg  ...  Pbg 

908 

Beale,  David  J.,  Princeton,  N.  J  

Pha. 

243 

Albro,  Rev.  J.  A.,  D.  D.,  Cambridge,  Ms.  Bos. 

542 

Seattle,  Chas.,  Salisbury,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

628 

Alexander,  Rev,  W.  S.,  Ponifret,  Ct...  Bos. 

479 

Beattie  —  ,  M  D    

Gbg. 

1402 

Alford,  J.  E  Gbg. 

1244 

Beck  Rev.  F  II      

Pha. 

1287 

Allison,  Rev.  Jas.,  Sewickley,  Pa  Pbg. 

524 

Beck,  Rev.  Jno.,  Easton,  Pa  

Pha. 

749 

Alvord,  A.,  East  Windsor  Theol.  Sem.  Bos. 

1020 

Beck,  Rev.  L.  G.,  Pemberton,  N.  J.... 

Pha. 

262 

Angell,  H.  B.,  New  York  N.  Y. 

996 

Beebee,  Jas.,  M.  D  

Cin. 

114.") 

Applf-'ate  —  Baltimore                        Bal 

1235 

Belden  L.  M  Western  Thool  Sem.  Pa. 

Pba 

088 

Ashley,  Rev.  S.  S.,  Northboro',  Mass...  Bos. 

380 

Belfield,  T.  Brown,  Philadelphia  

*  °b' 

Pha. 

870 

Ashmead,  Isaac,  Philadelphia.  Pha. 

244 

Bennett,  J.  P  

N.Y. 

643 

Atkins,  Rev.  A.  B.,  Germautown,  Pha.  Pha. 

802 

r.             ,ff 

Cbo1 

1:'!!IS 

Atkinson,  Rev.  K.,  Cambridge,  Mass..  Bos. 

610 

Bent,  Rev.  Gilbert  R.,  Enfield,  Mass.. 

Bos. 

664 

Atkinson,  Rev.  Thos.,  Chicago  Chi. 

Bergestresser.  Rev.  P.,  Nipponese,  Pa. 

Gbg. 

1288 

Attwood,  II.  N.,  Cincinnati  Bal 

1197 

Berry.  Rev.  Chas.  T.,  Newark,  N.  J... 

Pha. 

668 

Bachtell.Rev.W.  B.,Venangoboro',  Pa.  1'ha. 

757 

Bersch  Wm   II 

Gbg. 

Bacon,  Jos.  R.,  Philadelphia  Pha. 

225 

Bessom,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Centreville,  Ms- 

Bos. 

4ol 

Bain,  Bushrod,  Baltimore  Bal. 

1092 

Best,  Rev.  Jacob,  Stuyvesant,  N.  Y.... 

N.Y. 

4S1 

Bainbridge,  Rev.  Wm.  F.,  Erie,  Pa.....  N.  Y. 

639 

Betts,  Jno.  S.,  Philadelphia  

Bal. 

11:;: 

Baird,  Rev.  I.  N.,  D.  D.,  Beaver,  Pa.....  Pbg. 

1192 

Beugless(2),  Rev.J.  D.,  Pawtuxet,  R.  I. 

Pha. 

769 

Baird,  Rev.  Jas.,  Philadelphia.  Pha. 

674 

Bidwell,  Rev.  I.  G.,  Lansingburg,  N.Y. 

Pha. 

lie,'.) 

Baird,  Rev.  S.  J.,  D.D.,  Woodbury,  N.  J.  Pha. 

1152 

Biggs,  II.  W.,  Cincinnati  

Cin. 

721 

Baker,  Rev.  E.  P.,  East  Machias,  Me....  Bos. 

1017 

Binns,  Moses,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

791. 

Baldwin,  Theo.  A.,  Newark,  N.  J  Pha. 

1006 

Birch,  Chas.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

lll'.ll 

Ball,  Rev.  Geo.  II..  Buffalo,  N.  Y  Buf. 

768 

Bishop  (2),  Rev.  H.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

H»l 

Ball,  Jos.  J.,  Quakertown,  Pa  Pha. 

858 

Bissex,  Jas.  R.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

884 

Barber  (2),  A.  C.,  Lamberlville,  N.  J..  Pha. 

843 

Black,  Rev.  E.,  Rising  Sun,  Indiana... 

Cin. 

494 

LIST   OF   DELEGATES. 1863. 


605 


Black,  Wm.  C..  Philadelphia  Pha. 
Blackaller,  II.,  Irontou,  Ohio  Ciu. 
Blair,  Wm.  H.,  Lockland,  Ohio  Cin. 
Blake,  Rev.  G.  II.,  Ashburnham,  Mass.  Bos. 
Blayney  J.  McCluskey  Ontario,  Ohio.  Pbg. 

1359 
1129 
717 
1277 

408 

Burnell,  K.  A..  Milwaukee.  Wis  Chi.      734 
Burnell,  Miss  Mary,  Milwaukee,  Wis..  St.  L.  1262 
Burnett,  E.  S.,  West  Philadelphia  Pha.     809 
Burnham,  Rev.  C.,  Meredith  Village, 
N  II                                   .                 Bos     1276 

Bliss,  Kev.  Prof.  Geo.  R.,  D.  D.,  Univer- 

Burns,  J.  II.  Baltimore  Bal.     1089 

sitv  at  I  ewisburg    Pa               .          Gbg 

1397 

Boardman,  Jr.,  Henry  A.,  Philad'a....  Pha. 
Boardniau,  Rev.  Wm.  E.,  Philad'a  Pha. 
Boggs  Rev.  Jas.,  Fairton,  N.  J  .,.  Pha. 
Boggs,  Jao.-  II.,  Pittsburg,  Pa  Pbg. 

779 
390 

1084 
457 

Burns,  J.  T.,  M.  D.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1082 
Burns,  S.  W.,  Newark,  N.  J  Pha.      575 
Burns,  Wm.  —  ,  Mass  Bal.     1086 
Burson   J  W                                            Bal      1190 

Bohriuger,  Rer.  Enian,  Philadelphia.  Pha. 

1007 

Burton                                                       Gbg     1220 

Bond,  S.  M.,  Baltimore  Bal. 
Bouner,  D.  F.,  New  Concord,  Ohio....  Cin. 
Bosley,  Jas.  II.,  Baltimore  Bal. 
Boston,  —  ,  Baltimore.  Bal. 
Bosworth,  Kev.L.A.,W.Spriugfield,Ms.  Pha. 
Boughton,  Rev.  Peter.  Detroit  N.  Y. 
Bourne,  Rev.  Jas.  R.,  Oak  Hill,  Me....  Bos. 

1090 
1127 
1193 
1112 
1394 
1209 
1109 

Burtis,  Rev.  J.  II.,  New  York-  Pha.     849 
Bush,  Abram.,  Franklin,  N.  Y  N.  Y.    425 
Bushnell,  Rev.  II.,  Allcn.-villc.  Ind....  Cin.     1131 
Butler,  Jas.  B.,  Princeton,  N.  J  Pha.     867 
Butler,  Sanil.  M..  Philadelphia  Pha.     224 
Butterfield,  Rev.  H.Q.,Gt.  Falls,  N.H.  Bos.    1038 
Buxton,  T.  C.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1080 

Bowler  (2),  Rev.  S.  L.,  Orono,  Mo  Bos. 
Boyd,  Pliny  S.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.  Boe. 
Bovle(2),  Kev.  Jno.,  New  York.  N.  Y. 

359 
403 
451 
972 

Buzelle,  Rev.  G.  B.,W.  N'thwood,  N.H.  Pha.    1156 
Calloway,  Rev.  C.  31.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1435 
Campbell,   Rev.  R.,  D.D.,   Newbury- 
port   Slass.                                            Bos.      942 

Boyuton.  F.  H..  Andover  Theol.  Sem.  Bos. 
Bradford,  Rev.  Lucius,  Brooklyn,  Me..  Bos. 
Bradford,  Rev.  Thos.  T.,  Erie,  Pa  Pha. 
Bradley,  Rev.  L.  II.,  Philadelphia  BaL 
Brady,  Jno.,  M.D.,  New  Brunswick,N.J.  Pha. 

456 
267 
1042 
1194 
883 
1399 

Canfield,  Wm.  B.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1028 
Carback,  E.,  Baltimore  „  Bal.       931 
Carleton,  S.  II.,  W.  Concord,  N.  II  Bos.      616 
Carman,  J.  N.,  Ashland,  0  Cin.       720 
Carpenter,  D.  31.,  Fitchburg,  3Iass  Pha.     904 

Brengel,  Rev.  G.  A.,  Zanesville,  Ohio.  Cin. 

1132 

Carson  C  II.   Baltimore  Bal.       787 

Bridgman,  Jos.  C.,  Springfield,  Mass..  Bos. 
Bridgman,  S.  E.,  Northampton,  Mass..  Bos. 
Briughurst  (4),  Rev.  Geo.,  Philad'a....  Pha. 
Briscoe,  Frank  D.,  Philadelphia.  Pha. 
Brooks,  W.  K.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sero....  Bos. 
Brown,  Rev.  A.,  Chicago  Chi. 
Brown,  Rev.  Azra,  Cincinnati  Cin. 
Brown,  A.  II.,  Saltsburg  Pa.  Pbg. 

596 
595 
358 
249 
606 

726 

677 

Carson,  Rev.  Jas.  E.,  Detroit  Det.      711 
Carson,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Claysville,  Pa  Pha.      671 
Carson,  Thos.  A.,  Seneca,  N.  Y  Pha.    1157 
Castle,  Rev.  J.  H.,  W.  Philad'a  Pha.     804 
Cattell,  Rev.  T.  W.,  Princeton,  N.  J...  Pha.     756 
Cattell,  Rev.  Wm.  C.,  Harrisburg,  Pa-  Pha.     750 
Chalker,  Rev.R.  A.,  Pennington,N.  J.  Pha.     825 

Brown  B.  Baltimore                              Bal 

1095 

Theol  Sem   >Me                                    Bos       58S 

Brown,*  D.,  Western  Theol.  Sem.,  Pa.  Pbg. 

496 
1041 

Chandler,  Rev.  L,  Brattleboro,  Vt  BOB.     1161 
Chapin  Rev  Geo    Philadelphia            Bal        959 

Brown,  E.  II.,  Georgetown,  D.  C.  Wn. 
Brown,  Geo.  E.,  Baltimore  Bal. 

370 
1030 

Chapin,  Rev.  Geo.  F.,  Newport,  N.  II..  Pha.     666 
Chapin  L,  R    Pelham  Mass  Boe.      473 

686 

Chase    Rev  Jas  M                                  Chi      1251 

Brown,  Rev.  Jno.  W.,  Baltimore.  Bal. 
Brown,  Mrs.  Mary,  Cincinnati.  Cin. 
Brown,  Rich.  \V.,  M.  D.,  Baltimore  Bal. 
Brown,  Wm.  Ilobart,  Philadelphia.....  Pha. 
Browne  (2),  A.  K.,  Williamsport,  Pa...  Pha. 
Brace,  Geo.,  M.  D.,  Cincinnati  Bal. 
Bryant,  Rev.  G.  M.,  Bristol,  N.  H  BOB. 
Bncher  Rev   T  P                                    Gbg 

1186 
718 
1085 
878 
986 
1094 
UM 
1240 

Cheshire,  Rev.  John  E.,  Schnylkill 
Falls,  Philadelphia.  Pha.     806 
Chew,  Samuel,  M.  D.,  Baltimore  Bal.      953 
Chew,  S.C.,  M.D.,  Baltimore  Bal.      956 
Chidlaw  (2),  Rev.  B.  W.,  Cleves,  O  Pha.     391 
Clark,  A.  K.,  Baltimore  Bal.      957 
Clark.  Rev.  Geo.  W,  Newcastle,  Pa...  Pbg.     497 
Cl'irk   II  A    Fitchburg    Mass.               Pha      903 

Buck,  Rev.  C.  H.,  Dorchester,  Mass...  Bos. 
BufTuni   Rev  Joshua                               N  Y 

944 
480 

Clark,  J.  A.,  Washington,  Pa  Pha.     873 
Clark  S  A         ....         Gbg.    1206 

Bullard,  H.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms..  Bos. 

398 
743 

Clark,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Groveland,  3Iass...  Boe.     1014 
Clark   Wm   M                                          Pha      248 

Bunker,  M.  A.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem...  Bos. 
Burgin  Geo   HMD    Philadelphia      Pha 

1021 
773 

Clarke,  ROT.  H.  S,  Andover  Theol. 
Sem    Mass                     Boe      394 

Burke,  S.  D.,  Huntington,  0.  Cin. 

719 

Clarksou,  Jno.  W.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.     280 

606 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Cline,  Rev.  K.  C.,  Phillipsbnrg,  N.  J...  Pha.  960 

Clow  (2),  Geo.  W.,  Waterville,  Me Bos.  946 

Cobine,  Jas.  R.,  Frankliu,  N.  Y Phit.  508 

Coffin,  Selden  J.,  Easton,  Pa Pha.  1077 

Coggshall,  II.  S.,  Fitchbnrg,  Muss Pha.  902 

Coit,  Chas.  W.,  Norwich,  Ct Pha.  507 

Coit,  Rev.  Joshua,  Brookfield,  Mass...  Bos.  1018 

Colber,  L.  A.,  Baltimore Bal.  1025 

Cole,  Cornelius  M.,  Baltimore Bal.  924 

Colmery,  D.  R.,  Pleasant  Ridge,  0 Cin.  723 

Colt,  Rev.  Saml.  F.,  Pottsville,  Pa Pha.  841 

Col  ton.  Chas.  C.,  Lowell,  Mass. Bos.  477 

Coltou,  Jos.  S..  Princeton,  N.  J Pha.  983 

Conkling,  Uev.  C.,  Oberlin,  0 Lou.  730 

Conrad,  Ephraim.  Baltimore Bal.  991 

Cook,    Rev.  Russell  S.,  New  York N.  Y.  447 

Coolidge,  Rev.  A.  H.,  Leicester,  Mass.  Bos.  980 

Cooper,  Rev.  G.  W Bal.  987 

Coplin,  Alanson N.  Y.  693 

Copp,  Rev.  J.  A.,  D.D.,  Chelsea,  Mass.  Bos.  586 

Cornelison,  Rev.  I.,  Metamora,  111 N.  Y.  439 

Cornell,  \Vm.  M.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia,.  Pha.  961 

Corner,  Thos.,  Baltimore Bal.  956 

Oorrell,  Jos.  B.,  Philadelphia Pha.  247 

Cortelyou,  Rev.  T.F.,  Montgomery,  0.  Cin.  722 

Coulston,  Rev.  T.  P.,  Frankford,  Pa...  Pha.  835 

Courtlan,  J.,  Baltimore Bal.  779 

Cowan,  Jno.,  New  York Pha,  1343 

Cowpland,  Joshua,  Baltimore Bal.  868 

Cowpland,  Joshua,  Jr.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.  958 

Cozzens,  Thos.,  Baltimore Bal.  1236 

Cozzens,  Win.  D.,  Philadelphia Pha.  228 

Crane,  Rev.  E.  N.,  New  York N.  Y.    993 

Crane,  Rev.  J.  T ,  D.  B.,  Newark,  N.  .1..  Pha.  569 

Crawford,  Jas.,  Philadelphia Bal.  1027 

Crawford,  Rev.  Jas.  M.,  Argyle,  N.  Y.  Pha.  1289 

Crawford,  .1.  S.,  M.  ».,  W.  Alex'der,  Pa.  Pha.  862 

Crawford,  Thos.  0.,  Philadelphia Pha.  279 

Critchfield,  Rev.  N.  B.,  New  Lexing- 
ton, Pa Pha.  1213 

Crook,  Francis  A.,  Baltimore Bal.  1024 

Crook,  T.  D.  K.,  Baltimore Bal.  1022 

Cross,  Rev.  A.  B.,  Baltimore Bal.  1029 

Crouch,  Rev.  C.  J.,  Philadelphia. Pba.  1010 

Crow.  Uev.  N.  K.,  Marissa,  111 Pha.  963 

Crowell,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Philadelphia Pha.  792 

Cummings,  J.  C.,  Philadelphia Pha.  216 

Cummings,  Rev.  Silas  S.,  Moosup,  Ct.  Bos.  1390 

Curry,  W.  II.,  Shrewsbury,  Mass Bal.  925 

Gushing,  Rev.  ?.  A.,  Shrewsbury,  Ms..  Bos.  603 

Dalrymple,  W.,  M.B.,  Baltimore Bal.  729 

Dalzell,  Rev.  W.,  Hanoveiton,  Ohio..  Pbg.  912 

Dardis,  Francis,  Philadelphia Pha.  1105 

Barley,  Jno.  W.,  Baltimore Bal.  728 

Darling,  J.  A.,  Erie,  Pa Pha.  702 

Dascoinb,  Rev.  A.  B.,  Waitsfield,  Vt..  Bos.  540 

Davidson,  S.  M.,  Baltimore Bal.  754 

Davidson,  W.  T.,  Baltimore Bal.  755 

Davies,  J.  W Bal.  752 


Davis,  Rev.  Jas.,  Blairsville,  Pa Pbg.  1199 

Davis,  Marcus  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  847 

Davis.  Paul  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  832 

Day,  Albert,  Boston Pha.  880 

Day,  Rer.  A.  W.,  Troy,  Michigan Det.  1225 

Day,  Wm.  J.,  Philadelphia Pha.  588 

Dayan,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Ilion,  N.  Y Pha.  12S5 

DeBeck,  W.  L.,  Cincinnati Cin.  1060 

Decker,  — Gbg.  1244 

Deering,Hev.Jno.K.,S.  Franklin,  Me.  Bos.  1113 

DeForrest,  Ezra.  Baltimore Bal.  767 

DeForrest,Rev.J.A.,Haverhill,Mass.  Bos.  940 

DeLaMatyr,  G.,  Baltimore Bal.  769 

Demond  (2),  Chas.,  Boston Bos.  474 

Denham.  Rev.  Geo.,  Chelsea,  Mass Pha.  256 

Denison,  Rev.  And.  C.,  Portland,  Ct...  N.  Y.  534 

Deunison,  D.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem....  Bos.  949 

Dickson,  Rev.  Cyrus,  Baltimore Bal.  753 

Dickson,  Rev.  Wm.,  Calcutta,  Ohio....  Pbg.  1204 

Dilks,W.  S Gbg.  1246 

Diossy.  Kev.  D.  K.,  Conn.,  U.  S.  A N.  Y.  1067 

Doane*  Rev.  Hiram,  Carthage,  N.  Y.  N.  Y.  440 

Dobler,  Geo.,  Baltimore Bal.  751 

Dodd,  Miss  Eva Chi.  1250 

Dodge,  Austin,  Newburyport,  Mass...  Bos.  1115 

Doolittle,  E.  D.,  New  York N.  Y.  1075 

Douglass,  Kev.  J.  L.,  Bossein,  Burmab.  Pha.  929 
Douglass,  Rev.  Rich.  D.,  New  York....  N.  Y.  1000 

Dowden,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Pelham,  Mass...  Bos.  472 

Dowse.  Rev.  Edmund,  Sherborn,  Mags.  Bos.  737 

Drown,  Geo.  P.,  Keene,  N.  H Bos.  357 

Duff,  Wm.  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  776 

Dunlap,  Robert Gbg.  1245 

Dunn,  Alex Pha.  220 

Dunning,  Rev.  — ,  D.  B.,  Baltimore Bal.  669 

Dutton,  A.  I..  Andover  Theol.  Sem.  Bos.  400 

Duval,R.B....! Gbg.  1247 

Duval,  Wm.  G.,  Harford  co.,  Md Bal.  727 

Dyer,*  Rev.  A.  R.,  Harmony,  Me.......  Bos.  1036 

Dymond,  B.  F.,  Jamaica  Plain,  Mass.  Bos.  387 

Eastburn,  Moses,  Philadelphia Bal.  635 

Eastburn,  Robert,  Philadelphia Bal.  634 

Eastman,  Rev.  O Chi. 

Eaton,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Nashua,  N.  H Bos.  467 

Ebberle,  C.  L.,  M.  B.,  Germantown,  Pa.  Pha.  819 

Eddy,  Rev.  T.  M.,  B.  B.,  Chicago Chi.  614 

Edes,  W.  H.,  Georgetown,  D.  C Wn.  372 

Edie,  Rev.  J.  A Chi.  1255 

Ed  wards,  Thos.,  Baltimore Bal.  632 

Eells,  Rev.  D.  B.,  Vermont,  III Pha.  985 

Eells,  Rev.  Jas.,  B.B.,  Brooklyn Pha.  1175 

Eldredge,  Jas.  H.,  Philadelphia Pba.  833 

Ellis,  A.  W.,  Oxford,  Ohio., Cin.  1062 

Ellis,  Rev.  J.  A Chi. 

Ely,  Isaac,  Philadelphia Bal.  633 

Emery,  Rev.  Win.  S.,  Palmyra,  Pa.....  Pha.  968 
Emmons,  Rev.  H.  V.,  Pembroke,  Me..  N.  Y.  1073 
Ensign(2),  F.  G.,  Chicago  (Cong.) 

Theol.  Sem Chi.  615 


LIST    OF    DELEGATES. 1863. 


607 


Ernst.  Rev.  Jno.  F.,  Buffalo.  N.  Y Pha.  1180 

Erwin,  Rev.  Jas.,  D.  D.,  Rome,  N.  Y....  Pha.  854 

Esgate,  Rev.  Jas.,  Concord,  N.  II Bos.  1273 

Eshbach,  Rev.  E.  R.,  Baltimore Bal.  637 

Essick,  Rev.  A Gbg. 

Estrenne,  Rev.  Ole,  Dakota,  Iowa Lou.  731 

Eustis,  Rev.  W.  T.,  n.  i>.,  New  Haven.  N.  Y.  643 

Eva,  Rev.  W.  T.,  Philadelphia.... Pha.  816 

Evans,  G.  H.,  Philadelphia Pha.  797 

Evans,  G.  W.,  Baltimore Bal.  636 

Evans,  Rev.  P.  S.,  Stamford,  Ct X.  Y.  538 

Everts,  Rev.  W.  W..  D.  P..  Chicago Pha.  418 

Kwing  (3),  Thompson  R.,  Pittsburg...  Pbg.  395 

Fahnestock,  J.  II.,  Gettysburg,  Pa Gbg.  1503 

Faires(2),  Rev.  Jno.  W.,  D.  D.,  Phila...  Pha.  783 

Farrand,  g.  A.,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.  844 

Farwell,Royal  E.,  Natick,  Mass Bos.  736 

Faser,  Christian,  Philadelphia, Pha.  553 

Fiiulks,  Rev.  Jas.  B..  Millstone,  N.  J...  Pha.  1208 

Fanrott,  Rev.R Chi.  1257 

Feete,  Rev.  Daniel,  Lebanon,  Pa. Pha.  1125 

Ferguson  (2),  W.A.,W.  Theol.  Sem.,  Pa.  Pbg.  411 

Ferguson,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Washington,  0.  Pbg.  1189 

Ferries,  R.,  M.  D Bill.  612 

Ferris,  Rev.  — ,  Chicago Chi.  419 

Field,  Phineas  E.,  Charlemont,  Mass.  Pha.  1392 

Field,  Wm.  II.,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.  573 

Fields,  W.,  M.  D Gbg.  1501 

Fiuegan,  Michael  S.,  Baltimore Bal.  627 

Fiulay,  Sam.  M.,  Sewickleyville,'P.i...  Pbg.  676 

Finley,  Jno.  K.  M.D.,  Sewickley,  Pa...  Pbg.  523 

Finn,  Jno.  F Gbg.  1493 

Finney,  Rev.  H.  G.,  Newberry,  Pa Gbg.  1502 

Fischer,  — ,  M.  D Bal.  594 

FUher,  Rev.  C.  E.,  Lawrence,  Mass....  Bos.  1051 

Fisher,*  Rev.  Jas.  P.,  Westfleld,  N.  Y.  Pha.  1215 

Fitts,  Rev.  J.  H.,  W.  Boylston,  Mass...  Bos.  947 

Fitz,  S.  E.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms...  Bos.  744 

Fleming,  Wm.  J Gbg.  1494 

Flint  (2),  Rev.  R.  Steuben,  N.  Y Pha.  1288 

Foster,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Harrison  City,  Pu..  Pbg.  910 

Foster,  Rev.  D.,  W.  Newbury,  Mass...  Bos.  1271 

Foster,  R.  S Bal.  626 

Foster,  W.  S.,  — ,  Maine Bal.  592 

Fowle,  Jas.  A Bal.  630 

Fox,  Henry  J.,  New  York Bal.  628 

Fraley,  II.,  Philadelphia Pha.  692 

Franklin,  Rev.  B.,  Saline,  Mich Det.  1218 

Freeman,  E.  D.,  Baltimore Bal.  631 

Freeman, Rev.. I. M., Ha verstraw, N.Y.  Pha.  1097 

Freeman,  Jno.  M.,  Elizabeth,  N.  J Pha.  852 

Flick,  E.  A Bal.  629 

Frick,  Jno.,  Philadelphia Pha.  233 

Frisbie,  Rev.  Alvah  L.,  Ansonin.,  Ct...  N.  Y.  645 

Fuller,  Rev.  C.  D.,  Williamsville,  Vt.  Bos.  990 

Galbraith,  Rev.  R.  C.,  Baltimore Bal.  443 

Galbraith,  Rev.  W.,  Freeport,  Pa Pbg.  689 

Gale,  Geo.,  LL.D.,  Galesville,  Wis Pha.  1355 

Ganse,  Rev.  Hervey  D.,  New  York N.  Y.  448 


Gardner,  J.  A.,  Baltimore Bal.  445 

Gardner,  J.  W.,  Baltimore Bal.  444 

Garrette,Rev.E.Y.,  Milbury,  Mass....  Bos.  514 

Guston,  Rev.  Wm.,  Smith's  Ferry,  Pa.  Pha.  876 

Gaston,  Rev.  Wm.  E.,  Liverpool,  0....  Pbg.  1201 

Gehr,  Rev.  Nicholas,  Philadelphia Bal.  440 

Geldnrd,  Rev.  W.  R N.Y.  638 

Gerhard,  Win..  Philadelphia Pha.  926 

Gibbons,  Abraham,  Coatesville,  Pa....  Pha.  932 

Gibson,  Alex.  E.,  Baltimore Bal.  558 

Gibson,— Bal.  521 

Giddings,  Rev.  S.  M.,  Brooklyn Pha.  815 

Giesy,  Rev.  Sanil.  H.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  898 

Gilbert,  Rev.  G.  S.,  New  York Bal.  563 

Gilchrist,  Arch.  C.,  Cincinnati Cin.  1144 

Ginter.  Duv Gbg.  1508 

Godfrey(2).  Rev.  R.B.,  New  York Pha.  1170 

Goodale,  W.  II N.Y.  537 

Gosnell,  W.  L.,  Baltimore Bal.  533 

Gosnell,  — ,  Baltimore Bal.  555 

Gover,  E.  L.,  Baltimore Bal.  442 

Grant,  Jas.,  Philadelphia Pha.  775 

Grape,  Geo.  S.,  Baltimore Bal.  562 

Grassie,  T.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem..  Ms.  Bos.  376 

Graves,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Cortland,  N.  Y Pha.  1432 

Graves,  Rev.  Fred'k N.Y.  995 

Graves,  Rev.  F.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.  699 

Greenwood,  S Gbg.  1504 

Gregg (2),  Rev.  Wm.  B.,  Philadelphia.  Bal.  486 

Grice,  Geo.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.  829 

Griffin,  Rev.  G.  II.,  Philadelphia Bal.  503 

Griffin,  Geo.  H.,  New  York Pha.  665 

Griffith,  C.  K.,  Germantown,  Phila'da.  Pha.  938 

Griffith,  Rich.,  Philadelphia Pha.  231 

Grimes(2).  Rev.  J.  S.,  Newcastle,  Pa..  Pbg.  526 

Oubby,  Rev.  Jas.,  Alton.  Ill N.Y.  449 

Guihrie,  II.  W.,  Goshen,  0. Cin.  724 

Guyheysinger,  Rev.  J.  L Gbg.  1507 

Hagy,  Wm.,  Philadelphia Pha.  281 

Hale,  Rev.  Geo.,  Pennington,  N.  J Pha.  814 

Hall,  Rev.  S.  H.,  D.D.,  Owego,  N.  Y....  Pha.  1138 

Hambleton.Rev.W.  J.,  Greenfield,  Ms.  Bos.  1162 
Hamilton,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Andover  Theol. 

Sem.,  Mass Bos.  399 

Hamilton,  Rev.  E.J.,Ul8terville,N.Y..  Pha.  1248 
Hammond,  Rev.  Jos.  R.,  Damaris- 

cotta,  Me N.Y.  531 

Hance,  Rev.  Edmund, Glassboro',  N.  J.  Pha.  856 

Hanson,  Judge  B.  II Gbg.  1505 

Ilarkinson,  J.,  Philadelphia Pha.  232 

Hurley,  Milton  P.,  Philadelphia Pha.  706 

Harman,  Rev.  B.F.,  Pleasant  Ridge, 0.  Cin.  1068 

Harris,  Rev.  Isaac,  Etna,  N.  Y Ph*.  1431 

Harris,  J.  R.,  Philadelphia Pha.  798 

Harsha,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Chicago '. Chi.  424 

Hart,  Rev.  E.  J.,  Merrimac,  N.  II Bos.  470 

Harvey,  D.  H.,  New  Concord,  O. Cin.  1128 

Harvey,  Wm.,  Detroit Det.  708 

Haskell,  Rev.  Ezra,  Canton,  Mass BOB.  406 


608 


AXXALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Hastings,  F.  W.,  W.  Philadelphia Pha. 

Hastings,  Levi  G.,  Beaver  Co.,  Pa Pha. 

Hatch,  L.  B.,  Oxford,  O Ciu. 

Haveu,  A.  H.,  Cambridge,  Mass Bos. 

Hawes,  Rev.Edward.Watervillc,  Me..  Bos. 

Hawley,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Ripon,  Wis Chi. 

Hayes*  Henry,  M.D.,  Derry,  N.H Bos. 

Hays,  J.  L.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Hemstreet,  Oliver,  Carlisle,  N.  Y Pha. 

Henderdine,  Jno.  E Bal. 

Henderson,  Jno.  A.,  Lumberville,  Pa.  Bal. 
Henderson,  Sam.  M.,  Bowerstown,  0..  Pbg. 
Hendy,  J.  F..  Princeton  Theol.  Sem...  Pha. 

Henry,  R.  W Bal. 

Hensler,  Jos.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Herring,  Rev.  C.  M.,  Dover,  Me Bos. 

Herring,  D.  X..  Baltimore Bal. 

Hess,  W.  J.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Heydenlmrk,  M.,  Kalamazoo,  Mich...  Cin. 
Heysinger,Rev.  J.  L.,  W.,  Chester,  Pa.  Pha. 

Higbee,  Chas.,  Trenton,  N.  J Pha. 

Higbee,  Rev.  K.  E.,  Pittsbnrg,  Pa Pbg. 

High,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Lynn,  Mass Bos. 

Hill,  Geo.  II.,  Xorristown,  Pa Pha. 

Hill,  Jno.  D..M.B.,  Buffalo Pha. 

Ilink,  Lewis,  Baltimore Bal. 

Hinson,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Hogg,  Jns.,  Philadelphia Pha. 

Holden,  Jas  C.,  New  York Pha. 

Holliday,  Win.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Ilolman,  Rev.  C.,  Rochester,  N.  II Bos. 

Holman,  S.  L.,  Beekmanville,  N.  Y...  Pha. 
Holstein,  G.  W.,  M.  D.,  Bridgeport,  Pa.  Pha. 

Hood,  Jas.,  Christiana,  Pa Pha. 

Hooper,  Jas.  E Bal. 

Hopkins,  II.  P..  Cincinnati,  0 Cin. 

Hotchkin,  Rev.  B.  B.,  Haverford,  Pa..  Pha. 
Houghton(2).H.C.,Tamaica  Plain,  Ms.  Bos. 
Honghton,  Rev.  W.  A.,  Berlin,  Ms....  Bos. 
Houston  (2),  Rev.  H..  Stockton,  Me...  Bos. 
Hovey,  Augustus  II.,  Cambridge,  Ms.  Bos. 
Howard,  Cornelius,  M.  B.,  Baltimore...  Bal. 

Howard,  C.  M..  Erie.  Pa Pha. 

Howard,  Rev.  R.  B.,  Farmington,  Me.  Bos. 
Howbert,  Rev.  A.  R.,  Bucyriw,  Ohio..  Pha. 

Howe,  Geo.  W..  Lowell,  Mass. Bos. 

Howe,  Jas.  M..  Lowell,  Mass Bos. 

Rowland,  Rev.  H.  0.,  Chester,  N.  H...  Bos. 

Huff,  Isaac,  Freeport,  Pa. Pbg. 

Hughes,  Rev.  T.  E..  Springfield,  Ohio.  Cin. 

Humphrey,  Rev.  F.  E pha. 

Hunt,  G.  H.  B..  Baltimore Bal. 

Hunt,  J.  B.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Hunt,  J.  S.,  Richmond,  Ind Cin. 

Ilurlburt,  N.  A.,  Buffalo.  N.  Y Pha. 

Hum.  Rev.  Henry  F.,  Philadelphia...  Pha. 

Hnssey,  Rev.  Jno.,  Lockland,  Ohio Cin. 

Huston,  Chas.,  M.  D Gbg. 

Hiitchiuson,  E.  S Bal. 


799 
1046 
1146 
1066 
1034 
923 

Hutchinson,  N.,  Lambertville,  N.  J...  Pha.    1098 
Hyde,  Edmund  G.,  —  ,  Ct  N.Y.   1241 
Ingalls,  Miss  Emma,  Memphis,  Tenn.  St.  L.  1263 
Ireland,  Jno.  B.,  Baltimore  Bal.       394 
Irwin,  Jr..  Jno.,  Sewickleyville,  Pa.....  Pbg.     664 
Ives,  Jos.  B.,  Boston  Bos.      407 

1149 

782 
529 
432 
441 
409 
520 
431 

Jack,  Lewis,  M.  D.,  Germantown,  Pa...  Pha.     818 
Jackson,  Rev.  S.,  Rochester,  Minn  Chi.      618 
Jacobs,  Rev.  E.  T.,  Meredith,  N.  Y....  N.  Y.    536 
Jacobus,  I.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.,  Me..  Bos.       605 
Jacoby,  Washington,  Quakertown.Pa.  Pha.     859 
James,  B.  W.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia  Pha.     831 
ames,  D.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia  Pha.      549 

437 
1164 

amesou,  Rev.  A..  Baltimore  Bal.       372 

436 

428 

anes  (2),  Rev.  E.  S.,  ».  B.,  New  York..  Pha.     273 

559 

869 
705 
660 
974 

Jeffery,  Rev.  Reuben,  D.  D.,  Philad'a...  Pha.      781 
Jelly,  Rev.  A.  M.,  West  Philad'a  Pha.    1106 
Jenkins  (2),  C.W.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.  Bos.     1020 
Jennison  Rev  C    Chicago                    Chi        422 

707 

1182 
438 
774 
1120 
88  6 

Jennison,  Rev.  Jos.  F.,  Pontiac,  Mich.  Chi.       713 
Jewell,  Rev.  Joel,  W.  Newark,  N.  Y...  Pha.    1117 
Johnson,  Rev.  A.  H.,  Augusta,  Me  Bos.       668 
Johnson  (2),Rev.A.P.,Charlemont,Ms.  Bos.       672 
Johnson,  Rev.  Edwin,  Bangor,  Me  Bos.       465 
Johnson    Rev.  II.  II  Bal        371 

435 
735 
935 
1043 
919 
427 
1059 
899 
391 
263 
738 
653 
433 

Johnson,  J.  II  Bal.       370 
Johnson,  Rev.  R.  S.,  Galesburg,  111....  Pha.     673 
Johnson,  Win.  H.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.      551 
Johnson,  —  ,  M.  D.,  Baltimore  Bal.       393 
Johnston,  Rev.  J.  B.,  St.  Clairsville,  0.  Pha.      700 
Jones,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Evanston,  111  Chi.     1163 
Jones,  I.  F.,  Valley  Grove,  West  Ta...  Pha.     704 
Jones,  W.  M.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1183 
Junkiu,  Rev.  Geo.,  D.D.,  Philad'a  Pha.    1050 
Kammerer,  T.  A.,  Pittsburg  Pbg.     661 
Kean,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Freeport,  Pa  Pbg.     687 
Keeley,  Rev.  Daniel,  Uwchlan,  Pa  Pha.    1291 
Keelev,  S.  W.,  Oxford,  Mass  Bos.     1151 

703 
691 
1008 

Keeling,  Rev.  R.  J.,  Washington,  D.C.  Gbg.    1514 
Keeling,Rev.W.B.,Washingtonco.Pa.  Pbg.     911 
Keen  C  B                                                  Gbg     1513 

1356 

Keen  Geo  V    Baltimore                        Bal        367 

1281 
269 
690 
1055 

Keene,  Rev.  L.,  N.  Brookfield,  Mass....  Bos.    1165 
Kelker,  I.  M.,  Harrisburg,  Pa  Pha.    1047 
Kellogg,  Rev.  D.  Otis,  Philadelphia...  Pha.     905 
Kemp  N  P    Boston                                 Pha       259 

1176 

Kennedy,  Prof  A.  L.              .       .         Gbg     1515 

429 
434 
1134 
1181 
807 
716 
1506 
430 

Kenny,  Rev.  E.  J.,  Philadelphia  Pha.      846 
Kerr,  Alex.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.      221 
Kimball  (2),  C.,  M.  D.,  Lawrence,  Mass.  Bos.    1015 
Kimball,  Kev.  Jno.,  New  York  Pha.     547 
Kimball,  W.  S.,  Newburyport,  Mass...  Bos.      945 
King,  Albertus,  Philadelphia  Pha.      235 
Kingdon,  Rev.  Jno.,  Baltimore  Bal.       368 
Kirkpatrick,  Alex.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.     763 

LIST   OF   DELEGATES. — 1863. 


609 


Knipper.C.  0 Bal.  1512 

Kocher,  Rev.  Peter,  Newark,  N.  J Bal.  369 

KiinUmu. -her,  A.  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  237 

Kramer,  Rev.  Juo.  W.,  Freehold,  N.  J.  Pha.  1395 

Labaree,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Sterling,  Mass.....  Bos.  1037 

Ladd,  Horatio  0 Pha.  484 

Laiug,  Chas..  Philadelphia Pha.  894 

Laird,  Jno Gbg.  1317 

Lambert,  Rev.  A.  B.,  D.D.,  Salem,  N.  Y.  Pbg.  491 

Landis  (2),  Rev.  J.  L.,  Waverly,  Pa.....  Pha.  928 

Lapsley,  Rev.  Jas.  K.,  Indiana.  Pa Pbg.  678 

Lasell,  N.,  Amesbury,  Mass Bos.  376 

Luthrop,  Rev.  Henry  D.,  Lancaster,  0.  Cin.  1294 

Latimer,  Thos.,  Pliiladelphia Pha.  848 

Lawrence,  Rev.  J.,  Reading,  Mass......  Bos.  468 

Lawrence.  W.  A.,  Pepperell,  Ms Bos 

Lee,  Win.,  Baltimore Bal.  360 

Lenicke,  Rev.  II.  G.  II Gbg.  1511 

Lenuig,  Jas Gl>g.  1509 

Lennig,  Jos.,  Germantowu,  Pa Pha.  821 

Lent,  Rev.  M.  R.,  E.  Chatham,  N.  Y...  Pha.  1214 

Leonard,  Jno.,  Galesburg,  III Chi.  621 

Lester,  Rev.  W.  H.,  W.  Alexander,  Pa.  Pha.  853 

Lewis,  E.  P.,  Washington,  Pa Pha.  681 

Lewis,  Richard,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia Pha.  865 

Lewis,  Rev.  Thos.  A.,  Ware,  Mass Bos.  513 

Liebenau,  Rev.  M.  F.,  New  Paltz  Land- 
ing, N.  Y Pha.  891 

Liggett,  Martin  L.,  Ickesburg,  Pa Pha.  706 

Linn,  S.  P.,  Western  Theol.  Seni.,  Pa..  Pbg.  495 

Lipscomb,  J.  D.,  Baltimore Bal.  364 

Litcbfield,  D.  C.,  Oldtown,  Me Bos.  656 

Littelle,  Rev.  D.  S N.  Y.  694 

Little,  Rev.  Chas.  J.,  Philadelphia.....  Pha.  824 

Little,  Robert,  Baltimore „.  Bal.  365 

Littlefleld,E.  M.,  Haverhill,  Ms Bos.  611 

Locher,  Geo.,  Baltimore Bal.  363 

Loecker,  Rev.  Geo..  Philadelphia Pha.  864 

Loomis,  Rev.  E.,  Littleton,  Mass Bos.  452 

Loomis,  Israel  F.,  West  Chester,  Ct...  Pha.  1140 
Loomis,  Rev.  President  J.  R.,  LL.  D., 

University  at  Lewisburg,  Pa. Pha.  906 

Loouiis,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Shelburne  Falls, 

Mass Bos.  670 

Lore,  Rev.  Dallas  D.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y Pha.  587 

Lovett,  Sanil.  W.,  M.  D Bal.  361 

Loweree,  T.  W.,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.  674 

Lowry,  David  P.,  Allegheny  City,  Pa.  Pbg.  410 

Loyd,  Rev.  J.  T.,  Xenia,  0 Cin.  725 

Ludlow,  Rev.  Jas.  P.,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Pha.  951 

Lukens,  Thos.,  Philadelphia Bal.  362 

Lybrand,  Rev.  G.  W.,  Cheltenham,  Pa.  Pha.  892 

Lyford  (3),  Rev.  Chas.  P.,  Rome,  N.  Y..  Pha.  416 

Lyford(2),  Mrs.  E.  A.,  Rome,  N.  Y Pha.  417 

Mace,  Rev.  J.  M.,  W.  Dummerst'n,  Vt.  Bon.  989 
Maclise,  Rev.D.  M..  Montgomery,  N.Y.  N.  Y.    991 

Macy,  Jared,  New  York N.  Y.  1001 

Malaney,  E.  G.,  Chester  Co.,  Pa. Bal.  1328 

Mallalieu,  Kiel..,  Baltimore Bal.  1521 

77 


Malmsbury,  Rev. Caleb,  Newark,  N.  J.  Pha.  215 

Maun  (2),  Jesse  B.,  Pawtucket,  R.  I...  Bos.  601 

Mann,  Wm.  H.,  Philadelphia Pha.  870 

March,  Rev.  Danl.,  Philadelphia Pha.  830 

Marden,  Rev. Geo.  N.,Boxboro',  Mass.  Bos.  541 

Marks,  Rev.  L.,  Palmersville,  Pa Pbg.  492 

Marsh,  M.  W.,  Boston Bal.  1327 

Marsh,  Oliver,  Chicago Chi.  421 

Marsh  (2),  Rev.  W.  H.  H.,  W.  Phila....  Pha.  805 

Marshall,  R.  D.,  Baltimore Bal.  1326 

Marshall,  W.  B Gbg.  1340 

Martin,  Rev.  Win.  M.,  Woodbridge....  N.  Y.  530 

Massey,  Rev.  J N.  Y.  648 

Massle,  J.  C Pbg.  921 

Mason,  Edgar  M.,  Philadelphia Pha.  217 

Mather,  Thos.  P.,  Philadelphia Pha.  246 

Matlack,  Jos.  K.,  Baltimore Bal.  1527 

Matlack,  Rev.  Robt.  C.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.  788 

Mattison,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Tyrone,  N.  Y...  N.  Y.  641 

Maull,  Wm.  W.,  Louisville Pha.  758 

Mayal,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Williamsb'g,  N.Y.  Phn.  1212 

McAfee,  Jos.,  Phoenixville,  Pa. Pha.  887 

McAuley(6),  Rev.  Alex.  G.,  Phila Pha.  239 

McAwley,  Rev.  M.  J.,  Philadelphia....  Pha.  965 
McCarroll,    Jno.,    M.  D.,      Frankford 

Springs,  Pa Pha.  487 

McClellan,  Rev.  Jas.,  Evanston,  111....  Pha.  651 

McClellan,  J.  S.,  W.  Philadelphia Pha.  901 

McClelland,  J.  F.,  Philadelphia Bal.  1524 

McClure  (2),  S.  T.,  West'n  Theol.  Seni.  Pbg.  458 

McCollom,  Rev.  J.  T.,  Bradford,  Mass..  BOB.  1274 

McCord,  Jas Bal.  1530 

McCullough,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.  784 

McCurdy,  Rev.  T.  A.,  Leechburg,  Pa..  Pbg.  685 

McDougall,  Rev.  A.  M.,  Dryden,  N.  Y.  Pha.  1168 

McElwee,  Robt.,  Philadelphia Pha.  970 

McFcrran,  Jno.,  Smith's  Ferry,  Pa Pha.  877 

McGaw(2),Rev.J.A.P.,Sagetown.Ill.  Chi.  1135 

McGinley,  Rev.W.A.,  Shrewsbury,  Ms.  Pha.  881 

McGinnis.  Rev.  Wm.,  Cadiz,  0. Pbg.  913 

McGowau(2),  Rev.  Jas.  A.,  Philad'a...  Pha.  1103 

Mclntyre,  J.  W.,  St.  Louis Pha.  1184 

McKee,  Rev.  Sanil.  V.,  Peni,  Ind Cin.  1143 

McKee,  W.  R.,  W.  Hebron,  N.  Y Pha.  1237 

McKinney,  Rev.  Edmund,  Princeton 

Theol.  Sem.,  N.  J Pha.  284 

MclJ&ghlin,  Alex Pha.  954 

McLaughliu,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  German- 
town,  Pa Pha.  822 

McLaughlin,  Jas.,  Pittsburg Pbg.  1188 

McLean,  Rev.  A.H.,D.D.,Beaver  Co.,  Pa.  Pbg.  522 

McLean(2),Rev.S.A.,W.Alexander,Pa.  Pha.  SCO 

McLcish,  Rev.  — ,  Lyons,  Iowa Chi.  624 

McLeod,  Rev.  H.,  Brentwood,  N.  H...  Bos.  406 

McLeod,  Rev.  — ,  D.D Bal.  1529 

McMillan  (2),  Rev.  J.,  Allegheny  City.  Pbg.  461 

McMillan  (2),  Jas.  C.,  Xenia,  O Pha.  888 

McWatty,  Rev.  Robt.,  Mercer,  Pa Pbg.  688 

Meacham,  Rev.  J.  H.,  New  York Pha.  659 


610 


ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Mewls  (2),  Jas.  B.  D.,  Pittsburg Pbg.  679 

Meeker,  Rev.  D.  C.,  Wallace,  Pa Pha.  982 

Megie,  Rev.  B.  C.,  Dover,  N.  .1 Pha.  579 

Meldolensein,  0 Pha.  1203 

Meloy,  J.  C.,  Claysville,  Pa Pha.  572 

Meredith,  Jno.  F Bal.  1517 

Meredith,  Jos Gbg.  1330 

Merrick,  Stephen,  Philadelphia Bal.  1533 

Merrifleld,  Rev.  E.  P.,  Vermont N.  Y.  1069 

Merrill,  Rev.  Saml.  H.,  Portland,  Me..  Bos.  609 

Merrill,  Rev.  S.  P.,  Carleton,  N.  Y Buf.  1344 

Metcalf,  E.  W.,  Bangor,  Me Bos.  1040 

Michael,  Chauncey,  L N.  Y.  646 

Milby,  Rev.  Arthur  W.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.  282 

Miles,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Charlestons,  Mass..  Bos.  607 

Millard,  Washington Chi.  623 

Miller,  H.  Thane,  Cincinnati Bal.  1534 

Miller,  Jas.,  W.  Philadelphia Pha.  930  j 

Miller(3),  J.  R.,  Calcutta.  0 Pbg.  397 

Miller,    Mitchell  H..  Washington Wn.  2S3 

Millerd(2),  Rev.  C.,  Milwaukee Lou.  732 

Milne,  Caleb  J.,  Philadelphia Pbg.  489 

Milne,  V.  F.,  Philadelphia Pha.  261 

Mills,  Wm Bal.  1532 

Milton,  W.  H Gbg.  1536 

Mingins(2),Rev.  Gc-o.  J.,  Philad'a Pha.  667 

Mirick,  Rev.  S.  H..  Lewislmrg,  Pa Gbg.  1331 

Mitchell,  Geo.  H.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.  969 

Mitchell,  Wm Gbg.  1539 

Mittau,  Wm.  H Bal.  1525 

Moffatt,  Jno.  F Gbg.  1540 

Monroe,  Jno.  T.,  Philadelphia Bal.  1329 

Moore,  J.  P.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.,  Me.  Bos.  512 

Moorhead,J.D.,West'n  Theol.Sem.,Pa.  Pbg.  493 

Morford,  Jaa.  C Bal.  1518 

Morgan,  G.  E..  Baltimore Bal.  1522 

Morris,  Rev.  H.,  New  York -N.  Y.  1074 

Morrison, — ,  M.  D Gbg.  1538 

Morse,  Rev.  G.  B.,  Chicago Chi.  420 

Morss,  Rev.  Geo.  H.,  Dracut,  Mass Bos.  582 

Morton  (2),  Rev.  R.  S.,  Hookstown,  Pa.  Pbg.  488 

Moses,  Rev.  Theo.,  Exeter,  N.  H Bos.  1272 

Moss,  Jas.  A.,  Philadelphia, Pha.  218 

Moss,  Rev.  Lemuel,  Worcester,  Mass...  Bos.  1276 

MUller,  Louis,  Baltimore Bal.  1520 

Munson(2),  M.A.,Andover  Theol.Sem.  Bos.  398 

Murphy,  Miss  Hattip Chi.*1249 

Murphy,  Rev.  Thos.  C.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.  793 

Murphy,  Rev.  Thos.  G.,  Dover,  Del Bal.  1523 

Myers,  Henry,  Baltimore Bal.  1528 

Myers,  J.  A Obg.  1535 

Myers,  Rev.  Thos Ral.  1519 

Nason,  Chas.  P.  H.,  Exeter,  N.  H: Bos.  386 

Nason,  Rev.  Elias,  Exeter,  N.  H Bos.  395 

Neall,  E.  M.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia Pha.  778 

Neill,  Jas.,  Philadelphia Pha.  765 

Nelson,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Chaplain,  U.  S.  A.  Cin.  1056 

Newkirk,  Rev.  M.,Jr.,  Downingt'n,  Pa.  Pha.  897 

Newman,  Jacob,  Baltimore- Bal.  1516 


Nevin,  Robert  P.,  Sowickleyville,  Pa..  Pbg.  663 

Noble,  Rev.  T.  K.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.  Bos.  511 

Xcn-ris,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y...  Pha.  593 

Norton,  Edward,  Essex,  Ms Bos.  979 

Norton,  H.  M.,  Phillipsburg,  N.  J Pha.  827 

Norton,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Newcastle,  Pa Pbg.  525 

Norton,  Rev.  Warren,  Chicago Chi.  619 

Noyes,  Henry  V.,  Guilford,  Pa Pbs.  412 

Oakey,  Rev.  P.  D.,  Jamaica,  N.  Y......  N.  Y.  994 

Orr,  Rev.  Franklin,  Kent,  Pa Pbg.  1198 

Orr,  J.  M.,  Fairhaven,  Ohio Pha.  415 

Osborne,  Rev.  Cyrus  P.,  Exeter.  N.  II.    X.  Y.  268 

Osborne,  Rev.  E.  A.,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.  564 

Osborne,  Jasper,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.  565 

Osmons,  Rev.  Jonathan,  Eckley,  Pa...  Pha.  871 

Owens,  Rev.  Griffith,  Baltimore Bal.  1541 

Owens,  S.  G.,  Xenia,  Ohio Cin.  1133 

Palmer(2),Rev.A.M.,PhiHipsbnrg.N..T..  Pha.  826 

Palmer,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Rochester,  N.  U..  Bog.  3039 

Pape,  Edward Gbg.  1548 

Park,  Jas.  D.,  Philadelphia Pha.  1153 

Parke,  W.  J.,  Western  Theol.  Sem.,Pa.  Pbg.  494 

Parker,  Rev.  Jas.,  E.  Smithfleld,  Pa...  Pha-  1004 

Parker,  Jos.,  Beverly,  N.  J Pha.  1049 

Parker,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Cambridge,  Mass.  Bos.  602 
Parkman,   Rev.   Chas.   M.,   Ellicott's 

Mills,  Md Bal.  1542 

Parks,  Jos.,  Germantown,  Pa Pha.  1550 

Parsons,  Rev.  Benj.,  Windsor,  Ct Pha.  741 

Pi,rvin,Rev.R..T.,Shoemakertown,Pa.  Pha.  1122 

Pascal,  C.  L  ,  Philadelphia Pha.  800 

Patterson,  Rev.  D.  L.,  Philadelphia....  Pha.  882 

Patterson  (6),  Jno.,  Philadelphia Pha.  747 

Patterson,.T.T.,WesternTheol.Sem..Pa.  Pbg.  459 

Patterson,  Rev.  Robert.  D.  D..  Chicago.  Pha.  373 

Patterson,  Rev.  R.  W.,  D.  D.,  Chicago..  Chi.  622 

Pattison,  Rev.  Robert  H.,  Philad:a Pha.  794 

Paxson,  Howard Bal.  1360 

Peabody,   Rev.    A.    B.,    East    Long- 
meadow,  Mass Bos.  976 

Pearson,  Alex.,  Waterville,  Me Bos.  671 

Peltz,  Rev.  A.  G.,  New  York N.  Y.    640 

Pepper,  Rev.  G.  D.  B.,  Waterville.  Me.  Bos.  1278 

Perkins,  Rev.  F.  B.,  Montague,  Mass..  Bos.  543 

Perrine,  Thos.  C.,  Philadelphia Pha.  836 

Perry,  D.B.,PrincetonTheol.Sem.,N.J.  Pha.  1549 

Perry,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Coiishohocken,  Pa..  Bal.  1546 

Philips.  J.  W.,  Brewer,  Me Bos.  1065 

Pickering,  Chas.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.  241 

Pickett,  Rev.  Cyrus,  New  Haven,  Ct..  Pha.  414 

Pierce,  W.  K.,  Franklin,  Me Bos.  1107 

Pillingsby,  Rev.  - Bal.  1228 

Piper,  J.,  M.  D Bal.  1545 

Pitcher,  Rev.  E.  H.,  Ann  Arbor.  Mich.  Det.  1217 

Pitcher(2),  Rev.  O.  P.,  Oneida,  N.  Y...  Pha.  366 

Poerner,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Lebanon,  Pn Bal.  1544 

Poler,  Jno.  8.,  Washington \Vn.  988 

Pond,  Theo.  S.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem..  Bos.  397 

Pope,  C.  II.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.,  Me.  Bos.  509 


LIST   OF    DELEGATES. 1863. 


611 


Porter,  II.  K.,  Pittsburg  Pbg.    1202 
Power,*  Kev.  F.  H.,  Elizabeth,  Pa  Pbg.     460 
Powers,  Rev.  H.,  W.  Springfield,  Mass.  Bos.      478 

Sanford,  II.  P.,  Medway,  Mass.  
Sargent.  Rev.  G.  W.,  Raymond,  N.  IL 
Sar-'ent   M.  II.   Boston  

Bos.  1084 
Bos.  476 
Boa.  186 

Price  Rev   S    Weslev                                Bal      1543 

Price,  Thos.  W.,  Philadelphia  Pha.  N  790 
Purdy,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Pittsburg  Pbg.    1187 
Putnam,  G.  L.,  Lowell,  Mass  Bos.     1150 
Quoin  (2\  Geo.,  Philadelphia  Pha.     550 
Quimby,  Prof.  E.  T.,  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege. N.  11  ,.  Bos.      518 

Savage,  Judge  G.  W.,  Railway,  N.  J... 
Savage,Rev.M.  J.,  Norridgewock.  Me 
Sawyer,  W.  W..  Huntington,  O  
Scarborough,  J.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia... 
Sch{effer,Rev.C.W..M.D.,Germantown. 

Bal.  1580 
Bos.  1100 
Cin.  1126 
Bal.  1677 
Pha.  817 

ijuimliv   Isaac  Bal 

Raliv  Rev  R    VV                                     Gbg    1568 

Radcliffe,  Wallace  Pbg.      918 
Ramsey,  Walter,  Philadelphia  Pha,      227 

Scott.  Rev.  Alex.,  Philadelphia  
Scott  Rev  J  B  Chicago 

Pha.  238 
St  L  V61 

Rand,  Rev.  E.  A.,  Portsmouth,  N.  £!..  Bos.     1021 

Scott,  Jno.,  Baltimore  

Bal.  1586 

Rankin,  Rev.  E.  E.,  D.D.,  Newark,  N.  J.  Pha.    1154 
Rankin,Rev.S.G.W.,Westchester,Ct.  Pha.    1139 
Rawles,  E.  B.,  Camp  Chase,  Ohio  Cin.      560 

Scott,  Jno.,  Philadelphia  
Scott,  Rev.  W.  M.,Conshohocken,  Pa.. 

Pha.  1104 

Pha.  1078 
Gbg  1555 

Raymond,  Rev.  G.  L.,  Chicago  Chi.     1256 

Secor,  W.  W.,  Baltimore  

Bal.  1576 

Redner,  Chas.  B.,  Philadelphia  Pha.      934 
Reed  (2),  Rev.  Alex.,  Parkesburg,  Pa.  Pha.      382 
Reed,*  R.  R.,  M.  D.,  Washington,  Pa...  Pha.      271 
Reed,  Rev.  Scth,  Detroit  Det.       712 
Heed.  Win.  A.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia  Pha.      885 
Reed,  W.  C.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem....  Pha.    1377 

Sei.ar,  J.  H..  Ridgway,  0  
Scldonridge,  Geo.,  Philadelphia  
Seldonridge,  J.  F.,  Philadelphia  
Senter.  Rev.  0.  S.,  Berlin,  Vt  
Severance,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Franklin,  N.Y. 
Sexton.  Jno  

Cin.  1061 
Gbg.  1370 
Pha.  764 
Bos.  393 
X.  Y.  426 
Chi.  625 

Reuters,  Chas.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1561 

Seymour  Jno.  F  Utica  N.  Y  

Pha.  S63 

Reynolds,  A.  J.  Cumminsville,  0  Cin.     1054 
Reynolds  Joshua  Philadelphia             Pha       <x>0 

Sharpless,  J.  T.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia.... 
Shaw  ¥  S  Washington 

Bal.  1579 
Wn  373 

Rice,  Walter,  Newton  Theol.  Sem  Bos.      745 
Richards,  C.  II.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.  Bos.     1079 
Richardson,  C.  J.,  Chicago  Chi.      922 
Richardson    Hall    M  I)                           Gbg     1565 

Shaw,  Edwin.  S.,  Portland,  Me  
Shaw,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Buffalo  
Shawn.  S.  S.,  Newcomerstown,  0  

Pha.  1342 
Buf.  561 
Cin.  1130 
Pha  1031 

Richardson,  W.  S.,  M.D  Gbp.    1506 

Shearer  \iles  II  Arudemia  Pa  

Gbg.  1552 

Riebel,  Jos.,  Philadelphia  Pha.     654 
Riegel,  Calvin  P.,  Mechauicsburg,  Pa.  Pha.      485 
Riley  Win                                                Gbg     1564 

Sherman,  J.  P.,  Pottsville,  Pa  
Shick,  J.  L.,  Gettysburg,  Pa  
Shields  Rev  R 

Pha.  M2 
Gli-.  U>-~i4 
St  L  1268 

Ritchie,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Harshaville,  Pa.  Pbg.      915 
Roach  C.  E  Gbg     1567 

Shinn,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Philadelphia..... 
Shipley,  R.  II.  Baltimore  

Pha.  936 
Bal.  1589 

Roberts  Jas    Baltimore                          Bal      1558 

Shove  Rev  Benj  Dryden  N  Y  ... 

Pha.  1430 

Roberts,  Wm.  H.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1562 
Robinson,  F.  W.,  Erie,  Pa  Pha.     701 

Shumaker,  Prof.  J.  II.,  Academia,  Pa. 
Shumwav.  Rev.G.  R.  II.,  Newark.  N.Y. 

Gbg.  1592 
N.  Y.  1003 

Robinson,  Rev.  T.  H.,  Harrisburg,  Pa.  Pha.    1048 
Robinson,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Mercer,  Pa  Pbg.    1191 
Rockwood(2),  G.  A.,  Andover  Theol. 
Sem.   Mass  Bos.      396 

Siegfried,  Rev.  S.,  Adamsville,  0  
Siegfried(2),  Rev.  W.  D.,  Philad'a  
BBvwM  Israel  F.,  Pennington,  N.  J... 
Silvers  Will.  in  F  l.ainl.ernille  N.J. 

Pbg.  917 
Pha.  857 

I'll...  '.'i;; 

Pha.  1(144 

Rockwood,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Boston  Pha.     260 
Roe,  Rev.  E.  P.,  Chaplain  U.  S.  A  Pha.     482 
Km  it   C  S    Baltimore                             Bal      1556 

Simes.  S.  H..  Philadelphia  
Sintpson,  Geo.  W.,  Morning  Sun,  0  

Bui.  1569 
Cin.  600 
Bal  1588 

ROSB,  Rov.  A.  H.,  Boylston,  Mass  Bos.      402 
Ruliffson,  Rev.  A.  G.,  New  York.  Pha.     505 
Russels.  Rev.  .Ino..  Anville,  Pit  Bal.     1659 
Ruth,  Rev.  ,)no.,  Philadelphia  Pha.      884 
Rvan   W   K    Baltimore                           Bil      1560 

Skinner,  Benj.  D.,  Stapleton,  N.  Y  
Slater.  Rev.  I,..  Detroit  
Sloan  (3),  Rov.  I.  O.,  Philadelphia  
Small,  Rev.  A.  K.  P.,  Bnngor.  Me  

N.Y.  696 

Del.  710 

Pha.  613 
Gbg.  1594 

Ryder,  Wm.  K  Gbg.    1563 
Sabi.i.  Dwi-l.t  M.,  Killingly,  Ct  N.  Y.    639 
Safford,  Daniel,  8.  Boston,  Mass  Bos.     1033 
SanlMir.i.Kev.  IJ.  T..  Kreeport,  Me  Bos.     1016 
Saudi-is.  KranUlin.  Itiiltimore  Gbg.    1591 
Sands.  Jno..  Phi  ludelnhia  ....Pha.      234 

Smalt/.  Jus.  K..  Philadelphia  

Slllealie.  Ke\.  .1.  M..  I  laV.-llp.  .It.  X.  Y.. 

Smiley,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  D.D..  Philad'a... 
Smiley,  Jas.  M.,  Dryd.-n,  X.  Y  

Smith  I-.JP.  Key.  K.I1..  Pepprrell.  Ma-.. 

Smith.  Rev.  H..  S.  Amenift.,  N.  Y  

Pha.  850 
Pha.  1186 
Pha.  11  •-•:•. 
Pha.  T.N-J 
Bos.  266 
Pha.  950 

612  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Smith,  Isaac,  Baltimore  
Smith,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Jersey  City,  N.  J... 

Pha. 

872 

Taylor,  Rev.  Jno.  C.,  Sweden,  N.  Y.... 

N.Y. 

1068 

Smith,  Rev.  J.  Hyatt,  Philadelphia... 

Pha. 

780 

Taylor,  Rev.  Jno.  E..  Andes,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

504 

Bal. 

1575 

Taylor  S  II.  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1607 

Smith,  J.  J.,  M.  D.,  Baltimore  
Smith,  J.  V.  C.,  M.D.,  N.  Orleans,  La... 

N.Y. 

Taylor,  W.  C.,  Gernmntown,  Philad'a. 

Pha. 

890 

Smith,  Rev.  Jas.  M.,  Industry,  Pa  

Pbg. 

1093 

Taylor,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Clifton,  N.  Y  

N.  Y. 

1078 

Smith,  Jno.  C.,  Newark,  N.  J  

Pha. 

567 

Teitsworth,  Rev.W.  P,  Arkport,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

1172 

Smith,  Rev.  Jos.,  Lovell,  Me  

Bos. 

604 

Tenney,  Rev.  E.  P.,  Manchester,  Mass. 

Bos. 

568 

Smith,  Robt.  Pearsall,  Philadelphia... 

Pha. 

787 

Tenney,*Rev.S.W..Norridgewock,Mc. 

Bos. 

1386 

Smith,  S.  H.,  Red  Wing,  Minn  

Pha. 

450 

Thacker,  T.,  M.D.,  Goshen,  0  

Cin. 

1052 

Smith  (2),  Wm.,  Newark,  N.  J  

Pha. 

900 

Thayer(2),  C.C.,  Chi.Cong.Theol.Sem. 

Chi. 

617 

Smoot,  Albert,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1583 

Thayer,  Rev.  L.  R.,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

Bos. 

655 

Sotile,  A.  G.,  M.B  

Bal. 

1570 

Thissell,  H.  N.,  Philadelphia,  

Pha. 
Bal. 

257 
1600 

Southworth,  Rev.  A.,  South  Paris,  Me. 
Sovereign,  Rev.  II.  G.,  Evanston,  111... 

Bos. 
Chi. 

1147 
733 

Thomas,  Jr.,  D.  E.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1618 

Spangler,  And.  M.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

789 

Thomas  (2),  Rev.  D.  R.,  Philadelphia.. 

Pha. 

223 

Speakman,  Allen,  Coatesville,  Pa  

Pha. 

Pha 

840 
803 

Thomas,  H.  G.,  Coatosville,  Pa  

Pha. 
Bal. 

837 
1012 

Spicer,  W.  W.,  Delaware  

Bal. 

1584 

Thomas,  Rev.  S.  W.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

546 

Pha 

813 

Gbg. 

1675 

Stackers,  Benjamin,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1574 

Thompson,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  B.B.,  Tusca- 

ct.      Kt               R       •        '       R   H' 

n 

1590 

rora  Pa 

Pha. 

591 

Stacy,  Rev.  Ira,  Washington  

Wn. 

368 

Thompson,  Rev.  II.H.,Cochranton,Pa. 

Pbg. 

1195 

Steele,  H.  E  

Gbg. 

1553 

Thompson,  Jno.  F.,  Delaware,  Ohio.-. 

Cin. 

556 

Stefanone,  L  

Gbg. 

1595 

Thompson,  Rev.  M.  L.  R.  P.,  D.B.,  Cin. 

Pha. 

1179 

Steiiie,  S  

Gbg. 

1596 

Thurston,  Rev.  J.R.,  Newburvport.Ms. 

Bos. 

948 

Steinmetz,  B.  H.,  Washington  

Wn. 

371 

Tiffany,  Rev.  Chas.  C.,  New  Haven,  Ct. 

N.Y. 

644 

Sterrett(2),  Rev.  Wm.,  Philadelphia...  Pha. 

578 

Tobey,  Rev.  A.,  Durham,  N.  II  

Bos. 

1035 

Stevens,  Francis  P.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1573 

Todd,  J.  R.,  Newark,  N.  J  

Pha. 

576 

Stevens,  Henry  M.,  Blue  Hill,  Me  

Bos. 

584 

Tompkins.  A.  P.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

219 

Stevens,  Wm.  A.,  Granville,  Ohio  

Cin. 

501 

Toothaker,  Rev.  H.,N.Boothbay,Me. 

Bos. 

941 

Stevenson,  Rev.  D.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

Pha. 

675 

Torrence,  Rev.  Irvin  II.,  Philad'a.  

Pha. 

812 

Stevenson,  Rev.  J.  M.,D.  D.,  New  York. 

Pha. 

938 

Torrey,  Rev.  Chas.  W.,  Madison.  0  

Pha. 

1045 

Stevenson,  J.  M.,M.B.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1587 

Towle,  J.  A.,  Newton  Centre,  Ms  

Bos. 

658 

Stevenson,  Rev.  J.,  W.  Alexander,  Pa. 

Pha. 

fifil 

Town   B 

Gbg. 

1619 

Stevenson,  Rev.  Ross.  Ligonier,  Pa.... 

490 

Tracy,  M.  M.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.,  Me. 

Bos. 

515 

Stiffamore,  L.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1582 

Trego,  —  ,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1617 

Stillson,  J.  B.,  Rochester,  N.  Y  

Bal. 

1571 

Tricket,  Rev.  Jas.,  Westchester,  Pa.... 

Pha. 

810 

Stoddard,  Rev.  E.  W.,  Angelica,  N.  Y. 

N.Y. 

277 

Trinkle(2),  Samuel,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

240 

Stoddart,  Gideon,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

280 

Trnckenmuller,  Rev.  D.  S  

Gbg. 

1676 

Stotesbury(2),  Richard  G.,  Philad'a... 

Pha. 

250 

Tucker,*  Rev.  J.  J.,  S.  Dedhain,  Mass. 

Bos. 

469 

Street,  Rev.  G.  E.,  Wiscasset,  Me  

Bos. 

377 

Turbitt,  Rev.  Jno.,  Crown  Point,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

1210 

Strim,  S.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1581 

Turncliff  Jos    M  D  

Bal. 

1599 

Strobel,  Rev.  P.  A.,  Clarkesville,  N.J. 

Pha. 

895 

Turner,  Curtis.  F.,  Westchester,  Pa.... 

Pha. 

811 

Strong,  Rev.  D.  A.,  S.  Deerfield,  Mass. 

Bos. 

1116 

Tuxbury,  Rev.  Franklin,  Exeter,  N.  H. 

Bos. 

405 

Strong,  Rev.  Jno.  M.,  Clarkston,  Mich. 

Det. 

1219 

Twombly,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Albany,  N.  Y...  Bos. 

1114 

Strong,  W.  C..  Brighton,  Mass  

Bos. 

1167 

Tyng,  Alex.  G.,  Peoria,  111  

Pha. 

714 

Strowbridge,  Rev.  G.  E.,  Evanston,  111. 

Chi. 

620 

Tyng,  Jr.,  Rev.  S.  II.,  New  York  

Pha. 

875 

Stuart,  Geo.  Hay,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

589 

Underwood  P   L    Chicago 

Chi. 

423 

Sullivan,  Edwin  R.,  Delaware,  Ohio... 

Cin. 

557 

Ustick,  AV.  A.,  Washington,  Ohio  

Pha. 

258 

Sullivan,  Jno.  C.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

226 

VanAntwerp,Rev.  D.  D.,  Beaufort.N.C. 

N.Y. 

997 

Supplee,  Wm.  Henry,  Philadelphia.... 

Pha. 

245 

Vance,  D.  C.,  Urbnnna,  Ohio  

Cin. 

502 

Sutphen,  Rev.  M.  C.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

801 

VanMeter,  Rev.  W.  C.,  New  York  

Chi. 

618 

Swindell  .las  E 

Bal 

i  ^-*> 

Taggart,  Alex.,  Coatesville,  Pa  

Pha. 

838 

Varnum,  A.  C.,  Lowell,  Mass  

Pha. 
Bos. 

1408 
544 

Tarr,  Geo.  W.,  Philadelphia.  

Pha. 

236 

Virgin,  Rev.E.W.,  Natick,  Mass  

Bos. 

1032 

Taylor,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Brooklyn  ;. 

N.Y. 

1076 

Volit.  G.  S..  M.D..  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1597 

Taylor  H.,  Philadelphia....".  

Taylor,  J.  S.,  S.  Yonkers,'  N.  Y  

Bal. 

N  Y 

1611     Votey,  Rev.  C.  A.,  Phelps,  N.  Y  
998     Waddle.  J.  B..  Wheeling  W.  V»  

Gbg. 

Phir 

1598 
30fi 

LIST   OF    DELEGATES. 1864. 


613 


Wald,  Rev.  Paul,  Allcntown,  Pa.  Pha.    1284 
Waldr,.n,  Ira,  Waterville,  Me  Bos.      973 
Walker.  Rev.  H.  D.,  Abington,  Mass..  Bos.      608 
Walker,  Rev.  Jus.,  Detroit  Det.      709 
Wallace.  C.  W.,  Coshocton,  Ohio  Ciu.    1063 
Wall-tec   Rev   11                                          N   Y     649 

Wilcox,  O.  W.,  Springfield,  Mass  Pha.     383 
Wil.ter.  Rev.  Wm.,  Chester,  Pa  Pha.      772 
Wile  (3),  Rev.  B.  F.,  Pleasant  Valley, 
New  York                                              N  Y     532 

Williams,  Rev.  E.  F.,  Uxbridge,  Mass.  Bos.      46« 
Williams.  J.J.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1734 
Williams,  Rev.  R.  G.,  Richview,  111....  N.  Y.    535 
Williams,  Rev.  R.  H.,  Frederick,  Md.  Bal.     1227 
Williams,  Rev.  T.  J..  Philadelphia  Pha.     823 
Willing  (3),  Rev.  M.  E.,  New  York  N.  Y.    971 

"Wallace   Rev.  Jas.  E  St   L.  1269 

Walter  R  J            ...           .                     Bal      1822 

Ward.  Jr.,  J.  Wilson,  Lakeville,  Mass,  Bos.     1013 

Warren,  Rev.  H.  V.,  Georgetown,  0-.  Cin.       715 
Wan  un,  Jas.  T.,  Philadelphia-  Pha.     808 
Washburn,  Rev.  A.  C.,  Berlin,  Ct  Pha.      650 
Wastell,  Rev.  Wm.  P.,  Holly,  Mich...  Det.     1223 
Water-house,  Rev.  I.  F.,  Portsmouth, 
X.  II  Bos.      454 

WiN,,!i.  Henry,  Baltimore  Bal.     17S3 
Wilson,  Rev.H.  R.,  D.  D.,  Springfield,  0.  Pha.    1005 
Wilson  J    Newark    N  J  .                     Pha       845 

Wilson  (2),  J.  E.,  New  Ceutreville,  Pa.  Pha.     937 
Wilson  Nath.,0rono,  Me  Bos.    1159 

Wiuslow,  Rev.  E.D.,  Ware,  Mass  Bos.      378 
Winterbottom,  Wm.,  Philadelphia....  Plia.    1173 
Wishart.  Capt.  A.,  Washington,  Pa....  Pha.      570 
Wolfe  Rev.  F.  B.,  Penna  N.Y.  1071 

Watkins,  W.  F.,  Maniaroneck,  N.  Y..  Bnl.     1688 
Wat«on  W  H                                              Gbg     1893 

Watts,  Jas.,  Philadelphia  Pha.      796 

Webb,  Rev.  E.  B.,  D.  D.,  Boston  Bos.      476 
Wi-l.-ti-r  Robert                                       Bal      1824 

Woodend.  Rev.  W.  W.,  Saltsbnrg,  Pa..  Pbg.      684 
Woods,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Whiteland,  Ind....  Cin.     1142 
Woods,  Rev.  F.,  Monson,  Mass.  Pha.    1393 
Woodward,  E.  A.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1687 
Woolston,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Cranberry,  N.  J.  Pha.      855 
Worth  S  B    Coatesville  Pa                   Pha      933 

Webster,  Walter  M.,  Philadelphia  Pha,     229 
Weeks,  Rev.  Jos.  D.,Claremont,N.  H.  Bos.      510 
Weidman,  Rev.  Jacob,  Lebanon,  Pa...  Gbg.    1894 
Wells  Rev  F   P                                       NY     695 

West,  Geo.  P.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1759 
Westwood,  Rev.  Henry  C.,  Baltimore.  Bal.     1229 
Weyman,  Wm.  P.,  Pittsburg  Pbg.      909 
Whaland  Robert  W  Gbg.    1895 

Wotring,  Rev.  F.  A.,  Portage  City,  Wis.  Pbg.     413 
Wright,  Martin  V.,  Frankfort,  O  Pha.    1177 
Wright,  Rev.  W.  J.,  Springfield.  Mass.  X.  Y.    t>47 
Wright,  Rev.  Win.,  Minersville,  Pa...  Pha.    1011 
Wvmaii,  Phillips,  J.,  Baltimore  Bal.     1800 
Yocum  (3),  Thos.  S.,  Philadelphia  Pha.     962 
Young,  Rev.  H.  H.,  Cincinnati  Cin.    1141 
Young  Jno  B    Baltimore  Bal.     1684 

Whali-v   Samuel                                      Gbg     1825 

Whipple,   Rev.   A.    B.,  Lansingburg, 
N  Y  Pha.    1171 

White  (2),  H.H.,  Princeton  Theol.Sem.  Pha.      'J72 
White,  Rev.  Jno.,  N.  Woodstock,  Ct_.  Bos.     1158 

Young  (2),  Rev.  J.  Henry,  Philad'a....  Pha.     748 
Young,  Robt.  A.,  Coatesville,  Pa.  Pha.      839 
Youii"  R  G  Gbg.    1686 

Whit.-hill,  Jos.,  St.  Clair,  Ohio  Pbg.    1205 
Whit'-lv    Ino  AV    Biltimore                 Bal      1820 

Young  R  M   Gbg.    1685 

Whitney,  Rev.  Nelson,  Sebec.  Me  Bos.     1279 
Wi-st,  Jno.,  Philadelphia-  Pha.      828 

COMMISSIO? 

Abbott,  Rev.  A.  D.,  Reading,  Mich....  Pha.    2431 
A1.1i,,tt(2).Rev.J.J.,Whitinsville,Ms.  Bos.     2040 
Abbott  (2),  Rev.  J.  S.  C.,  New  Haven-.  Pha.    3205 
Ackerman,  E.G.,  Spring  Valley,  N.Y.  Pha.    2770 
Adair,  Rev.  A.,  Mongaup  Valley,  N.  Y.  Pha.    1726 
A.  lam*.  Rev.  A.  C.,  Auburn,  Me  Bos.     1457 
Adam-.  1!.  K.,  Akron.  N.  Y  Buf.     2786 
Adam-.  P.  K.,  Ann  Arbor.  Mich  Det.     3003 
Adam-,  Rev.  K.  K.,  P.P..  Philad'a  Pha.    1663 
Adam-  (2),*  Rev.  J.  B.,  Pittston,  Pa...  Pha.    1436 
Adams..  I.  B.W..  Lafayette  College,  Pa.  Pha.    3959 
Adams,  Rev.  Wm.,  D.D.,  New  York...  N.  Y.  3299 
Adsit,  Rev.  .«:,mue|.  Palmyra,  N.  Y....  Pha.    :M::-J 
Aikman,  R.-v.  W..  Wilmington,  Del...  Pha.    2251 
Ainsworth,  G.  A..  Williamstown.  Vt..  It 
Albec,  Henry  L.,  Boston  BOB.     3652 

Young   T                                                   Bal      1683 

Zimmerman(2),Rev.J  .Frankfort,  N.Y.  Pha.    1286 

IED    IN    1864. 

Alday,  Rev.  J.  H.,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.    2199 
Aldeii,  Rev.  J.  F..  Camden,  N.  Y  Pha.    2921 
Alexander,  Rev.  W.J.,  Dallas,  W.  Va.  Pbg.    2171 
Alger(2),  J.  C.,  McGrawville.  N.  Y  Pha.    3222 
Allaire  (2),  Samuel  T.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.   3461 
Allen,  A.,  Andovcr  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms...  Bos.     1790 
Allen,  Anthony.  Itl."imingburg,  0.....  Pha.    2.VH5 
'  Allen,  Rev.  A.  B.  Adrian.  Mi.-h  Chi.     2«18 
Allen.  F.  1'..  Troy.  X.  Y  Pha.    3501 
Allen,  Galen,  Milford.  Mass  Bos.     3019 
Allen,  Rev.  Jno.,  Farmington,  Me  Bos.     1407 
Allen.  Rev.  .1.  II..  Kvansti.ii.  Ill  Chi.     :?>«*» 
Allen.  Hev.  .1.  \V..  T-rumseh.  Mich....  Det.     3000 
Allen.  Itev.  S.  T.,  Aurora,  III  Chi.     2104 
Allen,  ler.  Thi«..  And«>ver  Th«-«>l.  Sem.  Bon.     17M 
Ailing,  Wm.  8.,  Rochester,  N.  Y  Pha.   2320 

614 


ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 


Anderson,  D.  F.,  M.  D.,  Schuylkill,  Pa..  Pha.  224' 

Anderson,  Rev.  M.  L.,  Millersburg,  0...  Cin.  3397 

Anderson,  Rev.  T.D.,  D.D.,New  York.  N.  Y.  3297 

Anderson,  Wm.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2020 

Anderson,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Chesterville,  0.  Cin.  3676 
Andrews,  Rev.  F.  G.,  Keeney  Settle- 
ment, N.  Y Pha.  3281 

Andrews,  Geo.,  Detroit Det.  3413 

Andrews,  M.,  Clinton,  Pa Pbg.  1816 

Andrews,  W.  W.,  Cleveland Cle.  2507 

Angell,  Henry  B.,  New  York N.  Y.  3295 

Anstice,  Henry,  Divinity  School,  W. 

Philadelphia Pha.  2322 

Anthony,  Rev.  G.  N.,  Marlhoro',  Ms...  Bos.  2661 

Apesby,  Rev.  W.  S.,  — ,  Vermont Wn.  1894 

Appleford,  Rev.  D.,  Evanston,  111 Clii.  2091 

Armfield,W.W.,Williamsburg,N.  Y.  Bkn.  2273 

Arms,  Chas.  C.,  Hanover,  N.  II Bos.  2971 

Armstrong,  Rev.  R.,  Harrisville.  0 Pbg.  2679 

Ashley,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Iowa  City,  Iowa...  St.  L.  3750 

Ashley  (2),  Rev.  S.  S.,  Northboro',  Ms..  Bos.  1389 

Ashmead,  Duffleld,  Philadelphia Pha.  2224 

Ashton  (2),  Fredk.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2399 

Ashworth,Rev..T.,Townsendv'e,  N.Y.  Pha.  3851 

Ashworth,  Jno.  P.,  Clappville,  Mass...  Bos.  3176 

Aston,  Rev.  H.,  Huntingdon,  N.  Y Bku.  3459 

Atkinson,  Rev.  Thos.,  Chicago Pha.  1472 

Attwood,  A.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2525 

Atwater,  Rev.  H.  C.,  Alexandria,  0....  Cin.  3051 

Aughey,  Rev.  J.  H.,Van  Amsterdam,  0.  Cin .  3403 

Austin,  Rev.  Chas.  H.,  Albion,  N.  Y...  Pha.  1531 

Austin,  Rev.  R.  H.,  Pottsville,  Pa Pha.  2231 

Aycrigg,  Col.  Benj.,  Paterson,  N.  J N.  Y.  3298 

Ayres,  — ,  M.D.,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind Pha.  3797 

Babcock(2),  Orrin,  Eden,  N.  Y Buf.  S128 

Bachelder,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Albia,  Iowa.....  St.  L.  3752 

Backus,  Rev.  A.  L.,  Carlton,  N.  Y Buf.  3122 

Bacon,  A.  C.,  Cleveland Cle.  2827 

Bacon  (2),  Rev.  Geo.  B.,  Orange,  N.  J..  Pha.  2055 

Baglis,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Warsaw,  N.  Y Pha.  2737 

Bailey,  A.  S.,  Utica,  N.  Y Pha.  3021 

Bailey,  J.  G.,  Hyde  Park,  Vt Bos.  3494 

Bailey,  Rev.  N.  M.,  Henuiker,  N.  H...  Bos.  3657 

Bailey,  Wm.,  M.  p.,  Albany Pha.  2725 

Bain,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Canonsburg,  Pa Pbg.  1382 

Bainbridge  (2),  Rev.  W.  F.,  Rochester, 

N.  Y Pha.  2352 

Baird,  Rev.  J.  T.,  Cincinnati Cin.  1749 

Baird,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Burlington,  Iowa..  Pha.  3615 

Baker,  Rev.  Azor,  Dennysville,  Me....  Bos.  3887 

Baker,  Rev.  A.  S..  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.  Buf.  3558 

Baker,  Geo.  W.,  Williamsburg,  N.Y...  Bkn.  2267 

Baker.  Isaac,  Philadelphia Pha.  2278 

Baker  (2),  J.  W.  H,  Bang.Theol.Sem.  Bos.  1446 

Baker,  Prof.  L.  B.,  Fairfield,  N.  Y Pha.  3088 

Baker,  Rev.  Smith,  Veazie,  Me Bos.  1878 

Baldwin,  Chas.,  Baltimore Bal.  2809 

Baldwin,  Geo.  D.,  Boston Pha.  2355  I 


Baldwin,  Rev.  N.  B.,  D.D.,  Philad'a Pha.  1S09 

Ballou,  E.,  Camp  Chase,  Ohio Cin.  3034 

Ballou,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Naples,  Me Bos.  3537 

Bancroft,  C.  F.  P.,  Mt.  Veraon,  N.  U..  Bos.  3100 

Baninger,Rev.R.,Poughkeepsie,N.Y.  N.Y.  3204 

Bantz,  Gideon,  Frederick,  Md Bal.  3915 

Barber,  A.  C.,  Lambertville,  N.  J Pha.  2426 

Barber,  Rev.  D.  M.,  Mifflinsburg,  Pa..  Pha.  3957 

Barber,  G.  W.,  Orange,  Mass Bos.  3098 

Barber,  H.  M.  D.,  Washington Wn.  2152 

Barber,Rev.R.N.,W.Martinsburg,N.Y.  Pha.  3368 

Barker,  Rev.  D.  R.,  Mercer,  Pa Pbg.  1630 

Barker,  Rev.  M.,  Pittsford,  N.  Y Pha.  3026 

Barker,  Thos.,  Albany,  N.  Y Alb.  3385 

Barnard,  Rev.  P.  F.,  Williamstown,  Vt.  Bos.  1722 

Barnes,  Rev.  A.  F.,  Mt.  Carroll,  111....  Chi.  1418 

Barnes,  Rev.  G.  S.,  Greenland,  N.  H...  Bos.  3197 

Barnes,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Rome,  N.  Y Pha.  1478 

Barns,  Rev.  R.  M.,  Madison,  Indiana..  Cin.  1746 

Barrett.  Rev.  Jno.,  Greenfield,  Ohio...  Cin.  1923 

Barrett,  Solomon,  M.D.,  Le  Roy,  N.Y.  Pha.  2409 

Barrett,  Wm.,  Gainesville,  N.  Y Buf.  1851 

Barrows,  Rev.  Prof.  E.  P.,  D.  D.,  Ando- 

ver  Theol.  Sem.,  Mass Bos.  1784 

Barrows,  Lucius,  Philadelphia Pha.  2526 

Bartlett,  Rev.  Alex.,  Conneaut,  Ohio.  Cle.  2834 

Bartlett,  Rev.  L.,  Coventry,  Vt Bos.  3256 

Bates,  W.  H.,  Hamilton  College,  N.  Y.  Pha.  2793 

Bayle,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Niles,  Ohio Cle.  3275 

Beach,  Lewis,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2136 

Beacom,  Rev.  J.  J.,  Findleyville,  Pa...  Pbg.  3739 

Beale,  C.  L.,  Augusta,  Me Bos.  2966 

Beale,  Rev.  S.  H.,  Bucksport,  Me Bos.  3395 

Beaman,  Rev.  G.  C.,  Croton,  Iowa St.  L.  3754 

Beaman,  Rev.  W.  H.,  N.  Hadley,  Mas- 
sachusetts   Bos.  3285 

Beard,  Rev.  A.  F.,  Bath,  Me Bos.  2311 

Beard,  Rev.  Geo.  P.,  Northfield,  Vt...  Bos.  2315 

Beardsley,  Henry,  Peoria Peo.  1692 

Beardsley,  J.  II.,  Bakersville,  Ohio....  Cin.  1930 

Beattie,  Rev.  C.,  Salisbury  Mills,  N.  Y.  Pha.  2593 

Beattie,  Claudius,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3465 

Beaumont,  J.  G.,  Faribault,  Minn St.  P.  2195 

Becker,  Chas.  E.,  Bennettsburg,  N.  Y.  Pha.  3273 

Beggs,  Rev.  Jos.,  Leverington,  Pa Pha.  1485 

Beggs.  Rev.  S.  R.,  Plainfield,!!] Chi 

Bell,  Rev.  .1.  E.,  Wickford,  R.  I Bos.  2664 

Bell,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Elizabeth,  Indiana...  Ind.  1349 

Bell,  Rev.  P.  G.,  Tarentum,  Pa Pbg.  1376 

Bell,  Rev.  S.,  Waterville,  Me Bos.  2316 

Bell,  Samuel,  Philadelphia Pha.  3162 

Bellville,  Rev.  Jacob,  Holmesburg,  Pa.  Pha.  2894 

Beman,  Rev.  I.  L.,  Cortland,  N.Y Pha.  2594 

Benedict,  Rev.  Amos  N.,  Norwich,N.Y.  Pha.  3261 

Benedict,  Lyman  E.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2909 

Bennett,  Rev.  Chas.  H.,  New  York N.  Y.  3699 

Bennett,  D.  P.,  Lebanon,  Ohio Cin.  3406 

Bennett,  Rev.  Henry  W.,  Adams,  N.Y.  Pha.  3017 

Bennett,  Rev.  P.  S.,  Appleton,  Wis Chi.  2094 


LIST    OF    DELEGATES. 1864. 


615 


Bent  (2),  Rev.  Gilbert  R.,  Enfield.Ms.  Pha,    1789 
Bentley,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Williuiantic,  Ct...  Har.    3619 
Bpnzinger,J.C.,M.D.,Towsontowu,Md.  Bal.     2079 
Berry  A   S    Adrian  Michigan  Det.    2773 

Bradford  (2),  Geo.  W.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.   2906 
Bray  Rev  W.  L    Aurora,  111                 Chi      2105 

Breckenridge,    Rev.   E.   W..  Osborn 
Hollow,  N.  Y  Pha.    3364 

Best,  Rev.  Jacob,  Stuyvesant,  N.  Y....  N.  Y.  3137 
Best,  W.  D.,  Freeport,  111  Chi.     2552 
Beveridge,  Rev.  A.  M.,  Troy,  N.  Y  Pha.    2358 
Bickerdike,  Mrs.  M.  A.,  Chicago     Chi  
Bicrbower(2),  A.,  Carlisle,  Pa.  Pha.    2539 
Bierbower,  Y.,  Carlisle,  Pa  Pha.    3156 
Bigelow,  A.  T.,  M.  D.,  Worcester,  N.  Y.  Alb.    3392 
Bigelow,  Jno.  B.,  Washington  Wn.    2150 
Bingham,  Rev.  1.  S.,  Conquest,  N.  Y...  Pha.    3427 
Binkley,  Rev.  G.  H.,  Springfield,  0....  Cin.     3047 
Bir-hop,  Rev.  H.,  Baltimore  Bal.     3449 
Bissell,  Rev.  C.  H.,  Pequonnock,  Ct...  Pha.    2189 
Bissell,  L.  Parsons,  Clinton,  N.  Y  Pha.    2994 
Bixov,  Rev.  Win..  Skeneatles,  N.  Y...  Pha.    3395 
Blackstone,  Wm.  E.,  Adams,  N.  Y  Pha.    3526 
Blackwood,  Rev.  Wm.,  D.D.,  Philad'a..  Pha.    2449 
Blair,  Rev.  R.,  Plainville,Minn  Chi.     1423 
Blake,  Rev.  C.  M.,  Philadelphia  Cin.     3401 
Blake,  Rev.  D.H..  Brooklyn  Pha.    3516 
Blake,  Rev.  II.  B.,  Belchertown,  Mass.  Bos.     1723 
Blake,  J.  W.,  Corinth,  Me  Bos.     3808 
Blakeslee,  Rev.  G.  H.,  Binghamton, 
N  Y                                                        Pha.    3502 

Breckenridge,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Bethel,  Ct_.  N.  Y.  3135 
Brewster,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Springvale,  Me..  Bos.     1780 
Bride,  J.  H.,  Baltimore  Bal.     2068 
Bridgman,  Rev.  C.  D'W.,  Albany  Pha.    2348 
Bridgman,  J.  C.,  Northampton,  Mass.  Pha.    2168 
Bridgman,  S.  E.,  Northampton,  Mass.  Bos.     1964 
Brings,  N.  L.,  Gardiner,  Me  Bos.     2910 

Brindle,  Rev.  Jas.  A.,Wilmington,  Del.  Pha.    2503 
Briughurst(4),  Rev.  Geo.,  Philad'u.....  Pirn.    2117 
Brintnall,  Rev.  L.  W.,  Mallet  Creek,0.  Cle.     3152 
Britton,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Chilicothe,  Ohio-.  Cin.    0048 
Brooks(2),  Rev.  C.,  Wardsboro',  Vt  Bos.     1C€2 
Brooks,  Rev.  D.,  Monticello,  Minn.....  Cin.     1332 
Brooks,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Washington  Wn.    2487 
Brooks,  Sidney,  Harwich,  Mass  Bos.     2967 
Brooks,  Rev.  W.  E.,  Bridgeport,  Ct  Pha.    2684 
Brower,  A.  G.,  M.D.,  Utica.,  N.  Y  Pha.    2496 
Brown,  Rev.  Addison,  Lowell,  Mass...  N.  Y.  2930 
Brown,  Rev.  Azra,  Chicago  Chi.     1420 
Brown,  Rev.  A.  H.,  Garretsville.  0  Pbg.    1679 
Brown  (2),  Rev.  D.  E.,  Flint,  Mich  Det.     2774 
Brown,  Rev.  F.  F.,  Georgetown,  D.  C..  Wn.     2146 
Brown,  H.  B.,  Andover  Theol.  Seiu...  Bos.     3201 
Brown,  Rev.  H.  W.,  Almond,  N.  Y  Buf.     3857 
Brown,  Rev.  J.  N.,  Collamer,  N.  Y  Pha.    3426 
Brown,  Levi,  Lambertville,  N.  J  Pha.    2722 
Brown  (2),  M.  A.,  Cleveland  Cle.     3147 
Brown,  0.  A.,  Delaware,  0  Cin.     3045 
Brown,  Rev.  R.,  Oswego,  111  Chi.     2010 
Brown,  Robt.  M.,  Allegheny,  Pa.  Pbg.    1371 
Brown,  Rev.  Selah,  Savannah,  N.  Y...  Alb.    3393 
Brown,  Rev.  S.  E.,  Herkimer,  N.  Y...  Pha.    2415 
Brown,  Rev.  Wm.  B.,  Newark,  N.  J...  Pha.    2382 
Brown,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Oxford,  0  Cin.     3900 
Brownell,  T.  F.T  New  Bedford,  Mass...  Bos.     3174 
Browning,  Geo.  S.,  Charleston,  0  Cin.     3052 
Brownlee,  Rev.  J.  T.,  W.  Middlet'n,  Pa.  Pbg.    2854 
Brush  Win   A    Brooklyn                       Bkn    3337 

Blakesly.Uev.W.E.,Lambertville,N.J.  Pha.    2697 
Bliss  (2),  Charles,  Brooklyn  Wn.    2144 
Bliss,  S.,  Chicago  Chi.     1426 
Blood,  J.  E.,  Pepperell,  Mass  Bos.     3828 
Boardman,  G.  S..  Middlebury,  V!  Bos.     1887 
Boardman,  Jr.,  Henry  A.,  Philad'a....  Pha.    2518 
Bogardus,Rev.S.T.M.,  PincPlaius,N.Y.  N.  Y.  3571 
Boies.  Rev.  Harper,  Harpersneld,  N.Y.  Pha.    3430 
Boies,  Otis,  M.  D.,  Cleveland  Cle.     2505 
Bolton,  C.  E.,  Amherst,  Mass  Bos.     3106 
Bonewell,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Beaver,  Pa  Pbg.    2682 
Boole,  Rev.  W.  H.,  New  York  N.  Y.  3138 
Boone,  Wm.  J.,  Princeton,  N.  J  N.  Y.  2932 
Booth,  Rev.  Jno.  F.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.   2746 
Booth  (2),  Rev.  R.  R.,  D.D.,  New  York.  Pha.    1890 
Booth,  Samuel,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2397 
Booth,  Wm.  C.  Brooklyn       .       ...    Bkn    2127 

Bryson.  Rev.  J.  C..  Burns,  Pa  Pbg.    3596 
Buck.  Rev.  J.  H..  New  Haven.  N.  Y...  Pha.    -J'.l'.U 
Buck  (2),  Rev.  W.  D.,  Lockport,  N.  Y.  Buf.     1855 
Budington,  Rev.  W.I.,D.D.,  Brooklyn.  Pha.    1900 
Buel,  Rev.  R.  F.,  n.  n..  Hamilton,  N.  Y.  Pha.    3305 
Bull.  Rev.  J.  M..  Victor.  N.  Y  Buf.     3685 
Billiard,  Rev.  C.  H.,  Hartford,  Ct  Pha.    2733 
Bunker,  Rev.  W.T..  Holmeslmrg,  Pa.  Pha.    2305 
Bun  hard,  Chas.,  Boston  J  i 
Burdick,  Rev.  C.  R..  Corfu.  N.  Y  Pha.    2051 
Burdick,  Rev.  Henry  D.,  Norfolk,  Va..  N.  Y.  3940 
Burdict,  J.  P..  New  York  N.  Y.  2929 
i:,.\.  .!..!..  Calais.  M-  Bos.     3491 
Burgess,  N.  P..  Portland  '.  B- 
BiirliiiKliiiiu.  Rev.  A.  H..  D.D.,  N.  Y...  N.  V.  '.".Us 
Bnrnell    K   A     Milwaukee                      1'ii  i     -'.1  '• 

Boslev  Joshua  Baltimore                      Bal      2060 

Boswell,  Rev.  W.  L.,  Carlisle,  Pa  Pha.    2964 
Botsford,  Chas.  S.,  Brooklyn  N.  Y.  3839 
Boudrye,  Rev.  L.  N.,  New  York  Wn.     1084 
Boughton,  Rev.  Peter,  New  York  N.  Y.  3566 
Bowen,  Rev.  ('.  M.,  Redfield.  N.  Y  Pha.    2923 
Bower,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Springfield,  Ohio-.  Cin.     36S2 
Bowers,  Clias.  A.,  Clinton,  Mass.  Bos.     3171 
Bowyer.  W.  A..  Baltimore  Bal.     2082 
Boyd,  Rev.  Jas.,  Boothbay,  Me  Bos.    O80 
Bo\d.  Hire.  Pennsville,  Pa,  Pbg.    3712 
Boyd,—  It.  .me    V    V                              Pha     1480 

Boynton.  K.  H..  An.lover  Thi-ol.Sem.   Bos.     1763 
Brare.  Rev.  Chas.  L..  New  York  N.  V.  •_":;! 
Brackett,  Rev.  N.  W.,  I.ewMoii.  M.  ...  B.«t.    3253 

Burnett,  Rev.  D.  S.,  Baltimore  Bal.     2813 

616 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Burnett,  E.  S.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2213 

Burnham,  S.,  Pittsburg Pbg.  3352 

Burns,  Geo.,  Clinton,  Pa Pbg.  1364 

Burr,  H.  A.,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y Bkn.  2271 

Burr,  Walter  H.,  Washington Wn.  2482 

Bnrr,  Rev.  W.  N.,  W.  Winfleld,  N.  Y..  Pha.  3425 

Burt,  Jno.  F.,  Milford  Centre,  0 Cin.  1319 

Burt,  Rev.  Sylvester,  Beaver,  Pa Pbg.  2170 

Burton,  Rev.  N.  S.,  Akron,  0 Pha.  2557 

Bush,  Rev.  E.  G.,  Jamesville,  N.  Y Pha.  3324 

Bushnell,  Rev.  H.,  Enterprise,  Iowa...  Cin.  1956 

Butler,  Jno.  M.,  Albany Pha.  2325 

Buttee,  R.  R.,  Baltimore Bal.  1233 

Buzzelle.G.  B.,  Bangor  Theo.  Sera.,  Me.  Bos.  3654 

Caldwell,  H.  J.,  Warren,  0 Cle.  3149 

Caldwell,  Rev.  J.  P.,  Florence,  Pa Pbg.  1636 

Caldwell,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Myrtle,  N.  Y Pha.  1640 

Caldwell,  P.  T.,  Canonsburg,  Pa Pbg.  1606 

Caldwell,  Sam.  B.,  Brooklyn Pha,  1872 

Calhouu,Rev.A.,Temperanceville,Pa.  Pbg.  1362 

Calhoun,  Johnston,  Hookstown,  Pa...  Pbg.  1381 

Callahan,  Rev.  D.,  Lynchburg,  0 Ind.  1303 

Campbell,  A.  F.,  N.  Brunswick,  N.  J..  Pha.  3097 

Campbell,  Alvin  H.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2988 

Campbell,  Rev.  Jno.,  Taberg,  N.  Y Pha.  2845 

Campbell,  John  D.,  Johnstown,  N.  Y.,  Pha.  3963 

Campbell,  S.R.,  New  York  Mills,  N.Y.  Pha,  3160 

Carnahan,  Rev.  J.  Gordon,  Troy,  Pa...  Pha.  3312 

Carpenter,  Rev.  C.  C.,  Worcester,  MP.  Bos.  3892 

Carpenter,  Geo.   W.,  Albany Pha.  2323 

Carpenter,  Jno.  H.,  Horicon,  Wis Chi.  3070 

Carr,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Bow,  N.  H Bos.  1803 

Carr,  Rev.  J.  M.,  St.  Clairsville,  0 Pbg.  1367 

Carrier,  Mi's.  O.  M.,  Olivet  College, 

Mich Chi.  2546 

Carrier,  Rev.  Prof.  0.  M.,  Olivet  Col- 
lege, Mich Chi.  2547 

Carson,  Rev.  D.  W.,  McCleary,  Pa Pbg.  1814 

Carson,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Claysville,  Pa Pbg.  1378 

Carson,  Thos.  A.,  Geneva,  N.  Y Pha.  1447 

Carter,  Rev.  J.  P.,  Baltimore Bal.  2812 

Carter  (2),  Walter  S.,  Milwaukee Chi.  3063 

Caruthers,  Rev.  J.  E.,  Lynchburg,  Pa.  Pbg.  1614 

Case,  D.  B.,  Oswego.,  Ill Chi.  2011 

Case,  H.  G.,  Haverhill,  Mass Bos.  3545 

Case,  Rev.  Rufus,  Derry,  N.  II Bos.  1442 

Caskey,  G.  H.,  Waukegan,  111 Chi.  1416 

Castle,  Rev.  J.  H.,  W.  Philad'a Pha.  2211 

Cate,  J.  J.,  Northwood,  N.  H Bos.  3546 

Catlin,  Rev.  B.  R.,  Meriden,  N.  H Bos.  3662 

Caton,  M.  J Wn.  2492 

Caulk,  Jas.  T.,  Baltimore Bal.  2061 

Chalfant,  Rev.  G.  W..  Martinsville,  0..  Pbg.  2S51 

Chamberlain,  A.  E.,  Cincinnati Cin.  3904 

Chamberlain,  C.,   Sackett's    Harbor 

N-  Y .'  Pha.  3309 

Chamberlain,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Des  Moines, 

Iowa Bos.  3199 

Chambers,  Wm.  L.,  Carthage,  N.  Y...  Pha.  2114 


Chapin,  J.  S.,  Janesville,  Wis Chi.     3068 

Chapman,  C.  W.,  New  Bedford.,  Mass..  Pha.    2423 

Chapman,  G.,  M.D.,  Brownhelm,  0 Cle.     3148 

Chapman,  Rev.  G.  E.,  New  England 

Village,  Mass Bos.     1458 

Charpiot,  Rev.  L.  E.,  Stratford,  Ct N.  Y.  3303 

Chartres  (2),  Thos.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3182 

Chase,  Rev.  A.B.,  Reading  Centre,  N.Y.  Buf.     3559 

Chase,  Rev.  Edw.,  Portland Pha,    2739 

Chase  (3),  G.  S.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem..  Bos.     2914 

Chase,  Jno.  D.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2749 

Chase,  I.  E.,  M.  D.,  Haverhill,  Mass....  Bos.     3172 

Chase,  J.  K.,  Lowell,  Mass Bos.     2704 

Chase,  Rev.  L.  N.,  Candia,  N.  H Bos.    3321 

Chase,  Rev.  Moses,  Haverhill,  Mass...  Bos.     3534 

Cheatham,  Rev.  Jos.,  Floris,  Iowa Chi.     3067 

Cheney,  Loren.,  Janesville,  Wis Chi 

Cheney,  Rev.  N.  G.,  Concord,  N.  H....  Bos.     2387 

Chesshire,  Rev.  Jno.  E.,  Philad'a Pha.     2632 

Child,  Rev.  Geo.  H.,  Wes-tboro',  Mass..  Bos.     3816 

Childs,  C.  C.,  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt Bos.     2238 

Choate,  Rufus,  Washington Wn.     2479 

Church,  D.  W.,  Vermontville,  Mich...  Cle.     3471 

Church,  E.  F.,  Towsontown,  Md Bal.     2080 

Church,  J.  B.,  Albany Pha.    3214 

Clark,  Rev.  E.  B.,  Chicopee,  Mass Bos.     2760 

Clark,  Henry  B.,M.D.,NewBedford,Ms.  Pha.    2424 

Clark,  H.  H Pha.    1903 

Clark,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Perth  Centre,  N.  Y.  Pha.  3725 
Clark,Rev.  Jonas  M.,  Ashburnham.Ms.  Bos.  3498 
Clark,  Rev.  L.  F.,  Whitinsville,  Mass.  Bos.  1656 
Clark,  Rev.  P.  K.,  S.  Decrfield,  Mass..  Bos.  3879 
Clarke,  Rev.  H.  R.,  D.D.,  Kingston,  Pa.  Pha.  2286 
Clarke,  Rev.  W.  K.,  Springfield,  Mass.  Bos.  3101 
Clayton  (2),  AVm.F.,Haddonfield,N.J.  Pha.  2840 

Clements,  Jesse  B.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2895 

Clendenning,Rev.T.C.,SavannahJll.  Cin.     1735 

Clifford,  J.  C.,  Salisbury,  N.  II Bos.     1882 

Clinker,  Rev.  Henry  J.,  Troy,  N.Y Pha.    2501 

Clizbe,  Jay,  Amsterdam,  N.  Y Pha.    3970 

Claggett,  Rev.  E.  B.,  Lyndeboro',  N.IT.  Bos.  3244 
Closson,  Rev.  J.  T.,  Franklin,  N.  H....  Bos.  3821 

Clough(2),  Hannibal,  Oxford,  0 Cin.     1322 

Clough,  Mrs.  H.,  College  Corners,  0...  Cin.     1919 

Coburn,  E.  P.,  Harrisbiirg,  Pa Hbg.  3506 

Cochroft.  S.,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y Bkn.   2274 

Coe,  W.  H.,  Lima,  N.  Y Det.     2777 

Coffey,  Rev.  Geo.  It.,  Saugerties,N.  Y.  Pha.  2336 
Coffin,  Rev.  Daniel,  Yellow  Springs.  0.  Cin.  1308 

Coffin,  S.  J.,  Easton,  Pa Pha.    2587 

Coggin,  Chas.  H.,  Nashua,  N.  H Bos.     2969 

Coggins.  Rev.  Thos.,  Baltimore Bal.     12'.>2 

Coit  (2),  Wm.,  Brooklyn Wn.    2143 

Colburn,  Robert.  Albany Alb.    33S4 

Colburn,  Rev.  Isaac,  Baltimore Bal.     2063 

Colburn,  Rev.  M.,  Gray,  Me Bos.     1660 

Colburn,  W.  H.,  Hillsboro',  Ohio Cin.     1925 

Coleman,  Rev.  M.,  Ottawa,  111 Chi.     2C06 

Coleman,  Rev.  Wm.,  Pittsburg Pbg.    1363 


LIST   OF   DELEGATES. 1864. 


617 


Colgrove,  Rev.  C.,  Sardinia,  N.  Y  Buf.    2787 
Collet,  D.,  Xenia,  Ohio  Ind.    1302 
Collins,*Rev.  II.  B.,  Franklin,  Ind  Ind.    1338 
Collyer,  Henry  M.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2747 
Colmen,  Rev.  W.  W.,"Lebanon,  0  Cin.     3683 
Colton  (2),  Rev.  E.,  Northfield,  Ct  Pha.    2460 
Colton,  Rev.  Jos.,  Connersville,  Ind...  Ind.    1337 
Colton,  Rev.  T.  G.,  Monson,  Mass  Har.    3620 
Colver,  Wm.,  Gettysburg,  Pa  Bal.     3916 
Comfort,  Rev.  G.,  Hawleyton,  N.  Y...i  Pha.    2381 
Comfort,  Jno.  E.,  M.D.,  Albany  Pha.    2324 
Comstock,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Fulton,  Wis._.  Chi.     3071 
Conant,  Rev.  —  ,  Knoxboro',  N.  Y  Uta.    3779 
Condict,  W.,  Morristown,  N.  J  Pha.    3140 
Condit,  Rev.  U.  W.,  Salisbury,  N.  H...  Bos.     1883 
Condit,  Frederick,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2897 
Condit,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Montezuma,  Iowa.  Cin.     1740 
Conklin,  G.  W.,  K.  ».,  Nassau,  N.  Y....  Alb.    2693 
Conklin,  Rev.  Robert  H.,  Detroit  Det.     3409 
Connelly(2),Rev.H.,Newburg,N.Y...  N.Y.  2032 
Converse,  J.  C.,  Boston.  Pha     1870 

Cumniings,  Rev.  C.,  Mt.  Jackson,  Pa..  Pbg.  1361 
Cummings,  Rev.  II.,  Newport.  N.  H...  Bos.  3316 
Cummins  (2),  Lewis  C.,  M.D.,  Phila  Pha.  2266 
Cummins,  W.  A.,  DeKalb,  Ohio  Cin.  3399 
Cunningham,  Rev.J.,Gainesville,N.Y.  Buf.  1850 
Cunningham,  Rev.  T.  M.,  Philad'a.....  Pha.  2265 
Cunnington,  Wm.,  Philadelphia  Pha.  2527 
Curtis,  E.  B.,  Medford,  Mass  Bos.  3536 
Curtis,  Rev.  E.  C.,  Utica,  N.  Y  Pha.  2520 
Curtis,  Rev.  Wm.,  McLean,  N.  Y  Pha.  1471 
Gushing,  Rev.  C.  W.,  Troy,  N.  Y.  Pha.  2282 
Gushing,  H.  K.,  M.D.,  Cleveland  Cle.  2513 
Gushing,  Rev.  S.  A.,  Wilbraham,  Mass.  Bos.  2458 
Cuthbertson,  Rev.  S..  Cumberland,  0..  Pbg.  3799 
Cutler,  Rev.  Temple,  Skowhegan,  Me.  Bos.  2243 
Cutler,  Rev.  Chas..  Francestown,  N.H.  Bos.  3242 
Cuyler,  Rev.  Theo.  L.,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn.  Pha.  1971 
Dadmun,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Roxbury,  Mass.  Bos.  2389 
Dana,  Rev.  M.  M.  G.,  Winsted,  Ct  Pha.  2113 
Danforth(2),*Rev.A.H.,Milesto'n,Pa.  Pha.  1491 
Dan  forth,  Mrs.  —  Chicago  Chi  2610 

Conway,  Rev.  H.,  Newburg,  N.  Y  N.  Y.  2927 
Cookman  (2),  Rev.  Alf.,  New  York        N  Y   1407 

Daniells,  Rev.  W.  H.,  St.  Johns,  N.  B.  Bos.  1781 
Daniker,  D.,  Baltimore  Bal  1234 

Cooper,  Rev.  E.,  Monroe,  Ohio  Cin.     1915 

Dardis  (3),  Francis,  Philadelphia  Pha.  1682 

Cooper,  Rev.  Jas.,  W.  Philadelphia....  Pha.    1643 
Copeland,  Rev.  A.  T.,  McConnellsville, 
N.  Y....                                                    Pha     29^5 

Davenport,  Jno.  T.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2039 
Davenport,*  Rev.  Wm.,  Otisfield.  Me..  Bos.  3549 
Davidson  Rev  Hugh  Elkhorn  Wis  Chi  3061 

Cordon,  Rev.  J.  R..  Oak  Grove,  Mich.  Det.    3408 
Corey,  Mrs  D    Vicksburg              .         St  L   1701 

Davidson,  Rev.  Jno.  A.,  Wiconisco,Pa.  Pha.  3441 
Davies.  Jno.  W.  Baltimore  Bal  2078 

Corey  (2),  Rev.  C.  H.,  Seabrook.  N.  H.  N.  Y.  2655 
Corey,  Rev.  D.  G.,  D.  D.,  Utica,  N.  Y...  Uta.    2708 
Cornish,  Virgil,  New  Britain,  Ct  Pha,    2346 
Cornwell,  Rev.  J.,  Athens,  Ohio  Cih.     1929 
Cosner,  S.  D.,  Frederickton,  Ohio  Cin.     3679 
Cowgill,  G.  W.,  Bushmill,  111  Peo.    3869 

Davis,  Rev.  Jas.,  Blairsville,  Pa  Pbg.  2186 
Davis  (2),  Rev.  J.  B.,  Bridesburg,  Pa...  Pha,  14*6 
Davis,  Paul  A.,  Philadelphia  Pha.  2208 
Davis.  Rev.  Perley  B.,  Sharon,  Mass...  Bos.  1463 
Davis,  S.  S.,  Northfield,  Ind  Ind.  2574 
Davis,  Rev.  T.  E.,  Auburn.  N.  Y  Wn.  2489 

Cowing,  Jas.  R.  Brooklyn  .  ..  .              Bkn     2130 

Day,  Rev.  Geo.  T.,  Providence  Pha.  1720 

Cowles,  J.  A.,  M.D.,  Rome,  N.  Y  Pha.    3224 

Dayan,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Carthage,  N.  Y  Pha.  2046 
Dean  Amos  H  \lbany  Pha  ^SPV. 

Coyle,  Rev.  Jno.,  Washington,  N.  J...  Pha.    3158 
Coyner,  J.  M.,  Lebanon,  Ind  Ind.    2579 

DeForest,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Concord,  N.  H...  N.  Y.  2653 
DeGolver.  Jos.,  Troy,  N.  Y  Pha.  2284 

Crabb,  Jacob  D.,  Campbelllburg,  Ind.  Ind.    1946 
Craig  James  Utica  N  Y                        Pha,    3023 

Dellaas,  Rev.  F.  S.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2902 
Demond  (2),  Chas.  Boston  Bos.  1864 

Cralby,  Jno.  S.,  Bellair,  Ohio  Pbg.    2681 
Cramer,  Rev.  M.  J.,  Cincinnati  Cin.     1321 
Crane,  Rev.  E.  N.,  Norfolk,  Va  N.  Y.  2654 
Crawford,  Rev.  H.  E.,  Norristown,  Pa.  Pha.    2277 

Denison,  Rev.  A.  C.,  Portland.  Ct  N.  Y.  2652 
Denman,  H.  B.,  Dowagiac,  Mich  Det.  3415 
Dennis,  Laban,  Newark,  N.  J  Pha.  2581 
Dewey,  Jas.  R.,  Chicago  Chi.  2554 

Crawford,  T.  0.,  Middleport,  Ohio  Pha.    2719 
Cressy,  Geo.  N.,  Port  Deposit,  Md  Bal.     2072 
Crisswcll.  R.  J..  Calcutta,  Ohio  Pbg.    1603 
Critchfield,  Rev.  N.  B.,  New  Lexing- 
ton, Pa  Pbg    1379 

Dewing,  Rev.  Thos.  S.,  Elmira,  N.  Y..  N.  Y.  3567 
Dewitt,  Rev.  A.,  Hoosick  Falls,  N.  Y..  Pha.  2410 
Dexter,  R.  H.,  Pavilion,  N.Y  Wn.  2156 
Dick,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa....  Pbg.  2180 
Dickerson,  Rev.  H.  L.  Danville  Town  Chi.  10.r>7 

Crocker,  D.  D    Cleveland                       Cle      2374 

Dickerson  Rev  J  S  Wilmington  Del  Wn  2144 

Crosby,  Chas.,  Pepperell,  Mass  Bos.     2044 
Crosfield,  Rev.  Geo.,  St.  Ann's,  C.  W..  Buf.     1853 
Grossman,  Aaron  T.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2989 
Crothers,  Rev.  S.  D.,  Greenfield,  0  Cin.    3897 
Crowell,  D.,  Brooklvn  Bkn    2269 

Dickey,  J.  M.  C.,  Oxford,  Pa  Phn.  2347 
Dickson,  Rev.  Wm.,  Calcutta.  O  Tin.  1916 
Diotrick,  R.  B.,  M.D..  Washington  Wn.  24H3 
Dilks,  Win.  S.,  Philadelphia  Pha.  2212 
Dilley(2)  Rev  J  Oskaloosa  Iowa....  St.  L.  3755 

Culler,M.L.,I>enn'aCollege,Gettysb'g.  Pha.    1862 
Cullis,  Rev.  Wm.  B.,  Philadelphia  Pha.   3417 

DUsett.  Thos.  H.,  Bolivar,  0  Cle.  2839 
Dix,  Jno.  F.,  Baltimore  Bal.  2820 

618 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 


Dizer,  J.  F.,  E.  Weymouth,  Mass  

Bos. 

2667 

Elmendorf,  Jas.  L.  II.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

3300 

Dobbins,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Philadelphia  

Pha, 

2203 

Emmons(3).  Rev.  H.A'.,  Hallowell.  Me. 

Bos. 

2314 

Dodd,  Henry  M.,  Cortland,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2759 

England  Rev  G.  A    Chicago 

Chi. 

2100 

Donaldson,  Rev.  A.,  Eldersridge,  Pa.. 

Pbg. 

1602 

Ellsworth,  Mrs.  —  ,  Chicago  

Chi. 

2597 

Doolittle,  E.  D.,Wappingers  Falls,  N.Y. 

N.  Y.  2650 

Ereck,  Caspar,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

3448 

Doolittle,  Rev.  T.  S.,  Flatlands,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

2639 

Erskine,  Rev.  Jno.,  Newburg,  N.  Y... 

Pha. 

3292 

Dooly,  Rev.  Alvan  M.,  Lebanon,  Ind.  Ind. 

2575 

Erwin,  Rev.  J.,  Rome,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3500 

Dorr  Moses  Boston           

Pha. 

2357 

Eshelman,  S.,  Greenfield,  0...  

Cin. 

3055 

Dorr,  P.,  Penn'a  College,  Gettysburg..  Pha. 

1860 

Estabrook,  Prof.  J.,  Ypsilanti.Mich... 

Det. 

1839 

Dotv  Chas  F    Geneseo  NY      .    .. 

Pha. 

2796 

Eustis,  Rev.  W.  T.,D.D.,N.  Haven,  Ct. 

N.Y. 

2644 

Doty,  E.  M.,  Springfield,  0  

an. 

1750 

Evans  (2),  A.  S.,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind  

Pha. 

2235 

Douglass  (2),  Chas.,  Bath,  Me  

Bos. 

740 

Evans,  Rev.  D.  H.,  Palmyra,  Mich  

Det. 

1837 

Douglass,  Rev.  E.,  S.  Bridgewater,  Ms- 

Bos. 

3188 

Evans,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Fairbury,  111  

Peo. 

3775 

Douglass,  Isaac  II.,  M.  D.,  Utica,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

2112 

Everest,  Rev.  A.  E.,  Mooers,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3818 

Douglass,  Rev.  R.  D.,  Plattsburg,  N.Y. 

Bos. 

3286 

Everett,  Rev.  Wm.  P.,  Albany  

Pha. 

2723 

Downey,  Rev.  G.  D.,  Sinclairville,  N.Y. 

N.Y. 

2649 

Everts,  F.  C.,  Washington  

Wn. 

2149 

Downs,  Geo.  E.,  Francestown,  N.  H... 

Bos. 

3541 

Ewing,  Rev.  E.  C.,  Ashfield,  Mass  

Bos. 

3200 

Drake,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Gettysburg,  0  

Cin. 

3053 

Eysenbach,  Rev.  Louis,  Litiz,  Pa  

Pha. 

3642 

Drake,  W.  L.,  Frederickton,  0.  

Cin. 

3681 

Fairfield,  Rev.  Minot  W.,  Oberlin,  O... 

Pha. 

2405 

Drew,  Thos.,  Utica,  New  York  

Pha. 

3010 

Fairlee,  Rev.  Wm..  Evanston,  111  

Chi. 

2090 

Drumm,  Rev.  J.  II.,  M.D.,  Bristol,  Pa- 

Pha. 

2335 

Faris(2),  Rev.  W.  B.,  Washington,  Pa. 

Pbg. 

1365 

Dmry,  E.  L.,  Worcester  

Bos. 

2766 

Farnham,  Amos  W.,  Oswego,  N.  Y— 

Buf. 

3121 

Dudley,  Rev.  H.  F.,  S.  Trenton,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

3313 

Favor,  Chas.  C.,  Boston  

Bos. 

3547 

Duffield,  Rev.  G.  W.,  Adrian,  Mich.... 

Det. 

1846 

Fayington,  Rev.  Z.  R.,  Holden,  Me... 

Bos. 

1725 

Duffieid,  Saml.  W.,  Adrian,  Mich  

Chi. 

1412 

Farwell,  Hon.  Jno.  V.,  Chicago  

Chi. 



Duncan,  Rev.  C.  C.  B.,  Bristol,  0  

Pbg. 

3480 

Faulks,  Rev.  Jas.  B.,  Stapletoti,  N.  Y- 

Pha. 

2517 

Duncan,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Cumberland,  0... 

Pbg. 

2173 

Fay,  Rey.  H.  C.,  Northwood,  N.  H  

Bos. 

2700 

Dunlap,  A.  S.,  Cross  Roads,  0  

Pha. 

2656 

Fay,  Rev.  N.  F.,  Montgomery,  0  

Wn. 

2470 

Dunlap,  C.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

2821 

Fav,  Rev.  Onmer  W.,  Chicago  (Cong.) 

Dunlap,  Rev.  Robt.,  Pottstown,  Pa  

Pha. 

2230 

Theol   Sem  

Chi. 

1414 

Dunn,  Rev.  Jas.  B.,  New  York  

N.Y. 

2647 

Feather,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Granville,  W.  Va. 

Pbg. 

3595 

Dunn,  Luke,  Baltimore  

Bui. 

2808 

Fellows,  Rev.  Geo.,  Milwaukee  

Chi. 

2106 

Dunn,  Rev.  L.  A.,  Fairfax,  Vt  

Wn. 

3842 

Ferguson,  Rev.  A.  II.,  Hudson,  N.  Y.. 

N.  Y. 

2643 

Durgin,  Rev.  D.  W.  C.,  Hampton,  N.  H. 

Bos. 

3283 

Ferris,  Rev.  L.  Z.,  Weymouth,  Mass- 

Bos. 

3175 

Durham,  Rev.  II.  C.,  Chelsea,  Mass— 

N.Y 

2648 

Field.  Phineas,  E.  Charlemont,  Mass- 

Bos. 

3811 

Duryea(2),  Rev.  Jos.  T.,  New  York.... 

Pha. 

1889 

Fields.  Rev.  A.  B.,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa... 

Pbg. 

2005 

Dutch,  E.  J.,  Peoria  

Peo. 

1690 

Fife,  Rev.  N.  H.  G.,Connellsville,  Pa.. 

Pbg. 

3713 

Dutcher,  Rev.  E.  C.,  Gratou,  N.  Scotia. 

Pha. 

2842 

Fillmore,  Rev.  I.  O.,  Syracuse  

Pha. 

3521 

Butcher,  Jno.  A.,  Milwaukee  

Ind. 

3794 

Findlay,  W.  A.,  Allegheny,  Pa  

Pbg. 

2S63 

Dutton,  Chas.,  Boston 

Pha. 

2384 

Fisher  (2)  Rev.  Geo.  Galwav  N.  Y.... 

Pha. 

2435 

Dysart,  Rev.  T.  H.,  Urbanna,  0  

Cin. 

1751 

Fisher,  Rev,  Jas.  B.,  Utica.  N.  Y  

Uta. 

3115 

Dysinger,  Jno.  C.,  Pennsylvania  Col- 

Fisher,*  Rev.  Jas.  P.,  Westfield,  N.  Y.  Pha. 

1902 

•  lege,  Gettysburg 

Pha. 

1859 

Fisk  Rev.  P.  B.  Dracut.  Mass  

Bos. 

3018 

Eadie,  Rev.  J.W.,  Penningtonville,  Pa. 

Pha. 

2024 

Fiske,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Minnesota  

Wn. 

2164 

Earle,  J.  H.,Abington,  Mass  

Bos. 

3656 

Fiske,  Jno.  0.,  Bath,  Me  

Bos. 

2042 

Eaton,  Rev.  S.  J.  M.,  Franklin,  Pa..... 

Pbg. 

2002 

Fitch,  Dav..  Brooklyn  

Pha. 

3008 

Eckey,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Holmes'  Mills,  0... 

Pbg. 

2858 

Fitts,  Rev.  J.  H.,  W.  Boylston,  Mass... 

Bos. 

2559 

Eddy,  Rev.  D.  C.,  B.C.,  Philadelphia- 

Pha. 

2633 

Fitz(2),  Samuel  E.,  Chelsea,  Mass  

Bos. 

3103 

Edgar.  Rev.  Jno.,  Falls  Village,  Ct— 

Pha. 

3093 

Fletcher,  Rev.  J.,  Southington,  Ct  

Pha. 

2462 

Edwards,  Miss  E.  M.,  Augusta,  Mich- 

Chi. 

2604 

Folsom,  Rev.  G.  P.,  Geneseo,  N.  Y  

Buf. 

2781 

Edwards,  Rev.J.  H  ,W.  Lebanon,  N.H. 

Bos. 

2457 

Folsom.  J.  G.,  Winchester,  Mass  

Bos. 

1895 

Eells,  Rev.  Jas.,  D.D.,  Brooklyn  

Pha. 

1776 

Foote,  Rev.  E.  J.,  Syracuse  

Pha. 

3163 

Eldridge,  Rev.  A.,  Detroit  

Det. 

1840 

Forbes,  John  Irving,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

3221 

Ellerson,  Rev.  0.,  Portlandville,  N.Y 

Pha. 

3961 

Ford,  Henry,  Utica,  N.  Y  

Uta. 

3096 

Ellinwood,  Rev.  Frank  F.,  Rochester.  Pha.    1892 

Ford,  Nathaniel,  M.D.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2119 

Elliott,  Rev.  J.  E..  Ridgebury,  Ct  

Pha. 

1666 

Fordham,  Chas.  W.,  Patchogue,  N.  Y. 

Bkn. 

3329 

Elliott,  W.  M.,  Sinking  Springs,  0  

Cin. 

1318 

Forsyth,Rev.—  .Buskirk's  Bridge,N.Y. 

Pha. 

1875 

Ellis,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Cleveland  

Cle. 

2688 

KI-.  rii:i*..  Abbott.  Mo  

Bos. 

3499 

Ellsworth,  Rev.  A.  A.,  Milford,  Mass- 

Bos. 

2566 

Foster  (2),  A.O..W.  Springfield,  Mass. 

Wn. 

1893 

LIST    OF    DELEGATES. 1864. 


619 


Fosjter,  D.  R.,  Princeton,  N.  J  
Foster  Jno  Y    New  York 

Pha. 
Pha. 

2022 
2209 

Gillett,  H.  A.,  Valparaiso,  Ind  
Gillett  Philip  G.  Peoria.  

Chi.    1361 
Peo     1689 

Foster,  Rev.  Boswell,  Chicopee,  Mass. 

Pha. 

3157 

Gladden,  Rev.  W.,  Morrisania,  N.  Y... 

N.  Y.  2641 

Foulks,  Jno.,  Marietta,  Pa  

Wn. 

2472 

Gladwin,  Rev.  Wm.  J.,  Enbula,  Iowa. 

St.  L.  3440 

Fowler  (2),  Bernard,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2756 

Glasgow,  E.  B.,  Allehtown,  Pa  

Pha.    3207 

Fowler  J.  W.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2900 

Glenn,  S.  M.,  Allegheny,  Pa  

p.            Oftfil 

Fowler,  Rev.  P.  H.,  D.D.,Utica  

Pha. 

2497 

Godfrey,  Rev.  A.  C.,  Dover,  Me  

Bos.     1877 

Fox,  Rev.  C.  S.,  Addison,  N.Y  

Buf. 

3552 

Godfrey,  Lewis,  Binghamton,  N.  Y  

Pha.    3968 

Fox,  Rev.  H.,  Fabius,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3022 

Godfrey,  Rev.  R.  B.,  Newtown,  N.  Y... 

N.Y.  2640 

Fox,  Rev.  Louis  R.,  Burlington,  N.  J.. 

Pha. 

2303 

Godwin,  W.  F.,  Philadelphia  

Pha.    2280 

Francis,  Cyrus  W.,  New  Haven,  Ct  

Pha. 

3161 

Goodale,  A.  B.,  M.D.,  New  York  

Wn.    2167 

Francisco,  Jos.,  New  York  

N.Y 

3698 

Goodman(2),  Jno.R.,  M.D.,  Philad'a... 

Pha.    2446 

Frankland,  Benjamin,  Cincinnati  

Cin. 

1316 

Goodrich,  R«v.  W.  H.,  Cleveland  

Cle.     2512 

Franklin,  D.  D.,  M.  D.,  Conneaut,  O  

Cle. 

2836 

Gosnell,  M.  T.,  Baltimore  

Bal.     2067 

Fra*,.r.  K,-v.  G.,  Wintersville,  Ohio  

Pha. 

3154 

Gould,  Rev.  Albert,  Rock  Bottom,  Ms. 

Bos.     2965 

Frazier,  S.  R.,  St.  Clairsville,  Ohio  

Cin. 

1755 

Graff  Wm    Philadelphia 

Pha.    2302 

French  (2),  Rev.  C.  P.,  Buckhannon, 
W  Va 

Pbg 

1613 

Graham,  Rev.  Jno.  B.,  Morristown,  O. 
Graham  Rev.  J  F    Sparland  111 

Pbg.    2000 
Peo      2367 

French  (3),  Jno.,  Brooklyn  

rug. 
Bkn. 

2135 

Graham,  Rev.  Loyal  Y.,  Somerset,  Pa. 

Pha.    2225 

French,  J.  D.  W.,  Boston,  Mass  

Bos. 

1669 

Graham,  Robert,  Philadelphia  

Pha.    2261 

French  J  F    Haverhill  Mass. 

Bos. 

3189 

N  Y    2306 

French.  S.  F.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.... 

Bos. 

1782 

Grant,  S.  Hastings  

Pha.    2337 

Fribley,  Rev.  J.  W.,  New  Philad'a.  O. 

1741 

Graves  (2),  Rev.  A.  T.,  Plainfield,  N.  J. 

Pha.    3306 

Frink,  Rev.  D.  C.,  Melbourne,  C.  E.... 

Bos. 

,3540 

Graves,  Prof.  Jackson,  Dryden,  N.  Y.. 

Pha.    1785 

Fritz,  Rev.  J.  G..  Pine  Grove,  Pa  

Pha. 

*3453 

Graves,  Nelson  A.,  Albion,  N.  Y  

Buf.     1774 

Frost,  Rev.  Louis  P.,  Rushford,  N.  Y..  Buf. 

1849 

Greene,  A.  M.,  N.  Andover  Depot,  Ms. 

Pha.    2621 

Fultord,  Rev.  D.,  Norway,  N.Y  

Pha. 

2414 

Gregg,  Rev.  A.  M.,  Evanston,  111  

Chi.     2096 

Fuller.  Rev.  A.,  Hallowell,  Me  

BOH. 

1765 

Gregg,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Philadelphia.  

Pha.    1497 

Fuller,  Rev.  C.  D.,  Troy,  N.  H  

Bos. 

3539 

Gregsr:  Wm.  H.,  Wilmington,  Del  

Pha.    3423 

Fuller,  Rev.  S.  R.,  Rome,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3428 

Gregory,  Rev.  D.  S.,  Troy,  N.Y  

Pha.    2330 

Galbraith,Rev.R.C.,  Gowanstown,  Md. 

Bal. 

2810 

Gridley,  J.  J.,  Ypsilanti,  Mich  

Det.     1838 

Galloghy,  Jas.,  M.  D.,  High  Hill,  0  

Pbg. 

285? 

Gridley,  T.  T.,  Marshall,  Mich  

Chi.     1421 

Gaily,  Merrit,  Rochester,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3204 

Griffiu  AMD    Albany 

Pha.    2085 

Gammell,  A.  M.,  Warren,  R.  1..^  

Pha. 

2628 

Griffin,  Rev.  Jno.  II.,  Cornish,  N.  II.. 

Bos.     3659 

Gardiner,  Rev.  Austin,  Springfield,  Ms. 

Pha. 

3527 

Grimes,  Jno.  M.,  Owego,  N.  Y  

Pha.    2052 

Gardiner,  Rev.  L.  M.,  Curwensville,  Pa. 

Pha. 

2217 

Grimes,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Cadiz,  0  

Pbg.    1621 

Gardner.Rev.—  ,Buskirk's  Bridge.N.Y. 

Pha. 

1874 

Griswold,  Leonard,  Dryden.  N.  Y  

Pha.    1474 

Garland,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Winslow,  Me  

N.Y 

2642 

Grover,  N.  W.,  W.  Bethel,  Me  

Bos.     3245 

Garner,  Harrison  B.,  W.  Philad'a  

Pha. 

3215 

Guilford,  E.,  New  Hampton,  N.  H  

Bos.     1962 

Garrettson,  F.  V.,  Perth  Amboy,  N.  J. 

Har. 

3210 

Gunsaulus,    Rev.  W.  A.,  Granville,  0. 

Cin.     3680 

Garvin,  J.  P.,  M.  D.,  Kendallville,  Ind. 

Cle. 

2838 

Gwin,  Edwin,  Boston  

Wn.    2145 

Gary,  Rev.  Thos.  B.,  Columbia,  Ind... 

Ind. 

1297 

Hagen,  Rev.  —  ,  Allentown,  Pa  

Pha.   1770 

Gassard,  Rev.  T.  M.,  Prescott,  Wis  

Ind. 

1305 

Hague,  Wm.  W.,  Albany  

Bkn.   2298 

Gaston,  Rev.  Wm.,  Smith's  Ferry,  Pa. 

Pbg. 

3726 

Haight,  Thos.,  New  York  

Wn.     2158 

Gates,  A.  W.,  New  Haven,  Ct  

Pha. 

3013 

Haines,  Jas    Albia  Iowa 

St.  L.  3753 

Gates,  Rev.  II.  N.,  Barkhampstead,  Ct. 
Gates  Jas.  H.   St.  Paul  Minn  

Pha. 
St.  P 

3520 
2196 

Haines,   Rev.  Selden,  Middle  Gran- 

Pha.    1897 

Gates,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  Bedford,  Pa.... 

Pha. 

1810 

Hair,  Rev.  G.  M.,  Cambridge  City.  Ind. 

Ind.    3219 

Gates,  Rev.  N.  R.,  Elbinsville,  Pa  

Pha. 

3271 

Hale,  Edw..  W.  Philadelphia  (Episc.) 

Gault,  Geo.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2748 

Divinity  School   

Pha.    1492 

<Jil.l.>.  Ri-v.  Jonathan  C.,  Philad'a  

N.Y 

3939 

Haley,  Saml.  G.,  E.  Andovor,  N.  II.... 

Bos.     2979 

Gibson,  Rev.  0.  L.,  Newark,  N.  Y  

Buf. 

3125 

Hall,  Rev.  E..  Chatsworth.  Ill  

IV".     .".774 

Gibson.  Rev.  R.  ChathVM    Minn  

Chi. 

Hal  1C*)  Rev  Oeo  A    Troy 

Phn.    1904 

Gifford,  Rev.  I.  O.,  Jamesville,  N.  Y... 

Pha. 

82M 

Hall,  Jas.,  Jefferson,  Me  

Boa.     1454 

Gilbert,  Rev.  A.  L.,  M.  D.,  N.  Cohocton, 

Hull.  Jr..  Jonathan,  New  York  

Pha.    3706 

N.  Y  

Buf. 

3856 

Hall  (2),  J.  E.,  Warren,  Mum  

Pha.    2795 

Gilbert  (2),  Kcv.  Win.  H.,  Granby,  Ct. 

Pha. 

2190 

lh.ll.  K,  v.  Saml..  Roxborough,  Pa..... 

Pha.    2219 

Gilchrist,  Win.  A.,  Glen  wood,  Ind  

Ind. 

1941 

Hiill.  Kcv.  S.  II.,  D.D.,  Owego,  N.  Y... 

Pha.    1973 

Gill,  Rev.  W.  I.,  Essex,  Ct  

llnr. 

3849 

Ilalti'inan  (-2),  Rev.  D.  E.,  Marengo,  111. 

Chi.    2098 

620 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Hainer,  Thos.,  Utica  Pha.    3011 
Hamilton,  Geo.,  Baltimore  Bal.     2084 
Hamilton,  Rev.  S.L.,Wethersfield,  111.  Cin.    1736 
Hammond,  J.  C.,  Amherst,  Mass  Bos.     3102 
Hammond,  Rev.  J.  R.,  N.  Village,  N.Y.  N.  Y.  2395 
Hammond,  S.  M.,  New  Village,  N.  Y..  N.  Y.  2393 
Hammond,  W.  W.,  Cambridge,  Mass..  Bos.     2972 
Hancock,  Rev.  Chas.,  Albany,  111  Chi.     2611 
Banna,  Rev.  Thos.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    1709 
Hanson,  C.  V.,  Waterville,  Me  Bos.     3813 
Hanson,  G.  C.,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y....  Bkn.  2123 
Harding,  Rev.  H.  F.,  Machias,  Me  Bos.     3653 
Harding,  Rev.  J.W.,  Longmeadow,  Ms.  Pha.    2059 
Hardy,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.....  St.  L.  3749 
Harkness,  Jas.  E.,  Cincinnati^,  N.  Y..  N.  Y.  3302 
Harley,  M.  P.,  Sultzer's  Store,  Pa  Pha.    2220 
Harlow,  Rev.  R.  W.,  Brownsville,  Vt.  Bos.    3660 
Harmon  (2),    Rev.    B.    F.,    Pleasant 
Ridge   0                                              Cin     3042 

Hen-ing,  Rev.  C.  M.,  Dover,  Me  Bos.     1439 
Herron,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Locust  Hill,  Pa....  Pbg.    1383 
Heydrick(3),  E.  M.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y...  Bkn.   2138 
Hibbard  (2),  R.  F..  Brooklyn  Bkn.    2270 
Hickman,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Pennsville,  Pa.  Pbg.    3711 
Hickox,  Geo.  A.,  Saline,  Mich  Det.     1216 
Higbee,  Rev.  Chas.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    2202 
Hildreth,  Milo,  Northboro',  Mass  Bos.     2245 
Hill,  Geo.,  Dryden,  N.  Y  Pha.    1473 
Hill,*Rev.  J.  Bancroft,  Temple.  N.  II..  Bos.     1760 
Hill,  Rev.  M.  F.,  Constableville,  N.  Y.  Pha.    2416 
Hills,  C.  D.,  Westfield,  Mass  Bos.     2975 
Iline  Rev.  0.  D.  Lebanon    Ct           .    Pha     9534 

Hinman,  G.  E.,  Holland  Patent,  N.  Y.  Pha.    2946 
Hinmati,  Rev.  S.,  E.  Homer,  N.  Y  Pha.    2-"43 
Hinson,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Bridesbnrg,  Pa...  Pha.    2339 
Hitchcock,  Rev.  C.  B.,  Chelsea,  Vt  Bos.    1764 
Hitchcock,  Prof.  E.,  Amherst  College.  Bos.     2768 
Hitchcock,  G.  N.,  Newton  Corner,  Ms.  Bos.     3241 
Hitchcock,  Rev.  H.  C.,  N.  Amherst,  0.  Cle.     2S33 
Hitchcock,  Rev.  M.  H.,  Westminster, 
Massachusetts     Bos.     2309 

Harned  (2),  Jos.  E.,  M.  ».,  Philad'a  Pha.    2264 
Harpending(2),O.G.,  Bennington.Vt,  N.Y.  3574 
Harrington,  Wm.,  N.  Adams,  Mich....  Det.     3414 
Harris  (4),  Jas.  M.,  M.  B.,  Philad'a  Pha.    2227 
Harris,  Maj.  J.  R.,  Vicksburg  St.  L.  1703 
Hart,  Samuel  E.,  Adrian,  Mich  Det.     2771 
Hart.  Wm.  Edgar,  Brooklvn  Bkn.  3338 

Hitchcock,  Rev.  O.  B.,  Chelsea,  Mass.  Bos.     1764 
Robert,  Rev.  C.,  Prescott,  Wis  Ind.     1304 
Hodge,  Rev.  F.  B.,  Oxford,  Pa.  Pha.    2524 
Hodgkins,  D.,  New  Market,  N.  H  Bog.    3322 
Hogarth,  Rev.  Wm.,  Detroit  Det.     1845 
Hogeboom,  Rev.  R.,  Corning,  N.  Y...  Buf.     3127 
Hogg,  Jas.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    2670 
Holbrook,  Rev.  C.  F.,  W.  Boylston,  Ms.  Bos.    1961 
Holcomb,  Jr.,  C.,  Hartford,  Ct  Pha.    3108 
Holcombe,  A.  H.,  Lambertville,  N.  J.  Pha.    3012 
Holden,  J*s.  C.,  New  York  Pha.    2338 

Hartshorn,  Rev.  V.  J.,  Bangor,  Me....  Bos.     1438 
Hartsough,Rev.L.,Cincinnatus,N.Y.  Pha.    2053 
Harvey,  Rev.  C.,  Sandwich,  111  Chi.    3082 
Hascall,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Mansfield,  Pa....  Buf.     3556 
Haskell,  S.  S.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y  Bkn.   2401 
Haskell,  Rev.  T.  N.,  E.  Boston,  Mass..  Pha,    2327 
Hatfield,  Rev.  R.  M.,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn..  Pha.   1495 
Haviland,  0.,  Salisbury,  Ct  N.Y.  2033 
Hawes  (2),  Rev.  Edw.,  Waterville,  Me.  Bos.     1460 
Hawkins,  I.  Clarence,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  3328 
Hawks,  Rev.  Jno.,  Rockville,  Ind  Ind.     1351 
Hawks,  Rev.  T.  H.,   D.  D.,  Cleveland..  Cle.     2375 
Hay,  Rev.  A.  J.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    2206 
Hayden,  Rev.  H.  C.,  W.  Meriden,  Ct...  N.  Y.  1966 
Hayes,  Thos.,  M.  D.,  Savannah,  0  Cin.     3902 
Haynes,  RPV.  Z.  S.,  S.  Royulton,  Vt...  Bos.     2707 
Hayt,  Jr.,  S.  A.,  Princeton  TheoK  Seni.  Pha.    2009 
Hayward,  A.  Homer,  Lowell,  N.  Y....  Uta.    3777 
Ilayward,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Lowell,  Mass...  Bos.     1653 
Hazard,  A.  C.,  Great  Bend,  Pa.  Wn.    2162 
Hazlewood,  F.  T.,  Boston  BOB.    2976 
Headley,  Rev.  P.  C.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    1635 
Headley,  Col.  Saml.  F.,  Washington...  Pha.    1667 
Healey,  Jas.  F.,  Genesee  Grove,  111....  Chi.    2551 
Healey,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Milwaukee..,  Chi.    2111 
Heart,  V.  C.,  Evanston,  111..   .               Chi      2013 

Holliday,  Rev.  J»T..  W.  Union,  O  Ind.    1301 
Hollister,  Martin  F.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y  Uta.    3114 
Hollister,  Rev.  P.  H.,  Brookfield,  Ct...  Pha.    2874 
Holman,  Rev.  G.  W.,  Radnor,  Pa  Pha.    1711 
Holnmn,Rev.S.L.,Beekmanville,N.Y.  Pha.    1704 
Holmes(2).H.M..AndoverTheol.Sem.  Bos.     1804 
Holmes,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Jersey  City,  N.  J.  N.  Y.  2034 
Holstein.  Geo.  W.,  M.D.,  Bridgeport,Pa.  Pha.    2306 
Hood  J    Carlisle  Pa                             Pha    2538 

Hooker,  Rev.  H.  B.,  B.D.,  Boston  Bos.     2564 
Hooper,  Jas.  E..  Baltimore  Bal.     2823 
Hope,  Peter  E.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    2263 
Hopkins,  J.  R.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.   2120 
Hopkins,  Rev.  S.  M..  Belfast,  N.  Y  Buf.    3690 
Hopkins.  Rev.T.M..  Bloomington.Ind.  Ind.    1341 
Hopley,  Rev.  Samuel,  Windham,  Ct...  Har.    3622 
Horton,  H.  B.,  M.D.,  Eden,  N.  Y  Buf.    3129 
Hosford  F.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.   2142 

Hosford*  Miss  Frances.  Oliyet,  Mich.  Chi.     2607 
Hough,  Rev.  J.  W..  Williston,  Vt  Bos.     2308 
Hough  ton(2),H.C.,  Jamaica  Plain,  Ms.  Bos.     3288 
Houghton,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Still  River,  Ms.  Bos.    3822 
Houston,  Rev.  A.  Y.,  Library,  Pa  Pbg.    1629 
Houston,  Thomas,  Penna  Wn.    2486 
Hovey,  Rev.  H.  C.,  Northampton,  Ms.  Bos.     2239 
Howard,  Stephen,  Amuerst,  N.  S  Pha.    2876 

Henck,  Lewis,  Baltimore  Bal.     2814 
Henderson,  Rev.S.M.,  Downingv'e,  Pa.  Pbg.    2440 
Henry,  Rev.  J.  Addison,  PhiladV  Pha.    2289 
Henry,  Wm.  M.,  Starkey,  N.  Y  N.  Y.  2036 
Benson.  Jos.,  Brooklyn  N.Y.  2035 
Henson,  Rev.  P.  S.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    1489 
Herbert,  Rev.  C.  D.,  Newburyport,  Ms.  Bos.     3247 

LIST   OF   DELEGATES. — 1864. 


621 


Howbert,  Rev.  A.  R.,  Bellefontaine,  0.  Pha. 

Hewlett,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Washington Wn. 

Hubbard,  Rev.  C.  H.,  Bennington.Vt.  Plia. 
Hnbbard(2),  Rev.  G.  B.,  Aurora,  111...  Chi. 
Hubbard(2),G.  W.,  N.  Charleston,  N.H.  Bos. 

Hubbard,  Rev.  J.,  Biildeford,  Me Bos. 

Hubbell,  Rev.H.S^Amheret,  Mass....  Bos. 
Hubburd.  II.,  Olivet  College,  Mich....  Chi. 
Hughes,  Melancthon,  Loudouville,  O.  Ind. 
Hughes,  Rev.  T.  E.,  Spriugdale,  0.....  Pbg. 
Hughes,  Rev.  Watson,  W.  Newton,  Pa.  Pbg. 
Hnlburd,  Rev.  Merritt,  Sandy  Hill.  Pa.  Pha. 
Hull,  Rev.  J.  F.,  New  Carlisle,  Ohio...  Cin. 

Humphreys,  Correll,  Albany Pha. 

Hunt,  Edwin,  S.  Sudbury,  Mass Bos. 

Hunt,  J.  B.,  M.D.,  Cleveland Cle. 

Hunt,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Aurora,  Ind Cin. 

Hunt,  Rev.  S.,  Albion,  N.  Y Buf. 

Hunt,  T.  Dwight,  Waterville,  N.  Y....  Pha. 

Hurd,  Rev.  Prof.  C.,  Buffalo Buf. 

Kurd,  Rev.  Prof.  L.,  Lockport,  N.  Y...  Pha. 

Hurlburt,  Chas.  A.,  Geneseo,  N.  Y Pha. 

Hurlburt.  C.S.,  M.D.,  Springfield,  Mass.  Pha. 

Hussey,  Rev.  Jno.,  Lockland,  Ohio Cin. 

Hutchinson,  H.  M.,  Springfield,  Mass.  Pha. 
Hutchinson,  Rev.  Jno.  F.,  Ogden.Ind.  Ind. 
Hutchinson,  R.  N.,  Lambertville,  N.J.  Pha. 
Hutchinson,  J.  H.,  Columbia  City,  la.  Chi. 

Hyde,  Chas.  M.,  Brimfield,  Mass.. Bos. 

Hyde,  Rev.  N.  A.,  Indianapolis Ind. 

Hyder,  Rev.  Ira  B.,  Dryden,  N.  Y Pha. 

Ingereoll,  J.  E.,  Cleveland Cle. 

Irvine  (2),  Rev.  Robert,  D.D.,  Phila....  Pha. 

Irwin,  Rev.  G.  W.,  Lacon,  111 Peo. 

Irwin,  Rev.  Jos.  L.,  Shelbyville,  Ind..  Ind. 

Irwin,  Ninean,  Cherry  Tree,  Pa Pbg. 

Irwin,  Rev.  Robert,  Muncic,  Indiana.  Ind. 

Ives  (3),  Stephen,  Batavia,  N.  Y Pha. 

Jackson,  II.  P.,  Cedarville,  Ohio Cin. 

Jacobs  (2),  B.  F.,  Chicago Chi. 

Jacobs,  Rev.  E.  T.,  Meredith,  N.  Y....  N.  Y. 
Jacob3,H.E.,Penn'a College.Gettysb'g.  Pha. 
James,  Rev.  R.  S.,  M.  D.  Philadelphia..  Pha. 

James,  Wm.,  Baltimore. Bal. 

Jameson,  Wm.,  Brooklyn Bkn. 

Jamison,  Rev.  E.  H.,  Marion,  Iowa....  St.  L. 
Jamison,  Rev.  J.  M.,Bloomingdale,0.  Pbg. 
Jamison,  Rev.  Samuel,  Elizabeth,  Pa.  Pbg. 

Ji.nn.-y.  R.  M.,  Baltimore Bal. 

Jaques,  Rev.  Parker,  Farmington,  Me.  Bos. 

Jefferis,  D.  W.,  Westchester,  Pa Pha. 

Jefters,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Bellefontaine,  0..  Pbg. 
Jenkins,  L.  C.,  New  Bedford,  Mass.....  Bos. 
Jenks,  Rev.  Geo.  H.,  Wellsboro',  Pa...  Pha. 

Jewell,  Rev.  F.  F.,  Adams,  N.  Y Pha. 

Jewell,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Oldtown,  Me Bos. 

Jewett,  Th»s.,  Rindge,  N.  H Bos. 

Johnson,  Amos  II.,  Middlft.ni,  Ma*s..  ll,.*. 
Johnson,  Rev.  A.  P.,  And.  Theol.  Sem.  Boe. 


Johnson,  Chas.  C.,  Buffalo Bnf.  278S 

Johnson,  Rev.  Geo.  H.,  Somerset,  Pa.  Bal.  3443 

Johnson,  Rev.  Herrick,  Pittsburg Pbg.  2003 

Johnson,  Homer,  M.  D.,  Cleveland Cle.  2686 

Johnson,  Lewis  M.,  Pittsfield,  Mass...  Pha.  3307 

Johnson,  R.  G.,  Dryden,  N.  Y Pha.  1470 

Johnson,Rev.S.,ChenangoForks,N.Y.  Buf.  1777 

Johnson,  Silas,  Oscaloosa,  Iowa Chi.  2615 

Johnson,  Rev.  Thos. S.Oxford,  Wis...  Pha.  2558 

Johnston,  Geo.,  Carlisle,  Pa Pha.  2875 

Johnston,  Rev.  Geo.  N.,  Knoxville.Ill.  Peo.  2944 

Johnston,  Thos.  S.,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.  2531 

Johnston,  Rev.  W.  O.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  2250 

Jones,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Greencastle,  Ind...  Chi.  3069 

Jones,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Evanstou,  111 Chi.  2101 

Jones,  Rev.  E.  L.,  Greenville,  Ohio....  Cin.  3674 

Jones,  Henry  C.,  M.D.,  New  York N.  Y.  1969 

Jones,  Horatio  Gates,  Philadelphia....  Pha.  3965 

Jones  (2),  J.  B.,  M.  ».,  Belvidere,  III...  Chi.  2545 

Jones,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Allegheny  City,  Pa.  Pbg.  2848 

Jones,  Jesse  H.,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y..  Bkn.  2118 

Jones,  Martin  P.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2344 

Jones,  Rev.  N.,  Yellow  Springs,  O Cin.  3078 

Jones,  Thos.  R.,  Buckaunan,  Pa Pbg.  3350 

Jones,  Rev.  W.,  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa Cin.  1921 

Jones,  Rev.  Wm.,  Lowville,  N.  Y Pha.  2411 

Jones(3),  W.  Bidkar,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2139 

Jones,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Rochester,  N.  Y...  Pha.  1705 

Joy,  Rev.  Wellington,  Brockton,  N.  Y.  Pha.  3477 

Judd,  Rev.  H..  Hudson,  Michigan Cle.  3146 

Junkin,  Rev.  A.  C.,  W.  Grauville,  Pa..  Pbg.  3598 

Junkin,  Rev.  Geo.,  D.D.,  Philad'a Pha.  2629 

Junkin,  J.  G.,  M.  n.,  Wyandot,  O Ind.  1306 

Kedzie,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Somerset,  Mich....  Det.  3608 

Kedzie,  George,  Deerfield,  Michigan..  Det.  3609 

Kedzie,  Win.,  Deerfield,  Michigan Det.  3610 

Keizer,  L.  R.,  Baltimore Bal.  2081 

Kelley,  Edward  A.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2221 

Kellogg,  A.  W.,  Milwaukee Chi.  3064 

Kellogg,  Martin,  Whitehall,  N.  J Wn.  2480 

Kellogg,  Rev.  S.  0.,  Claremont,  N.  H.  Bos.  3376 

Kelly,  Rev.  Jno.,  McConiicllBville,  Pa.  Pbg.  1817 

Kelly,  Rev.  M.  B.,  Tille  Ridge,  111 Chi.  2108 

Kelso,  Rev.  Jas.,  Monroeville,  Pa Pbg.  3602 

K- Isy,  Rev.  H.  S.,  Granby,  Mass Bos.  2560 

Kemp,  B.  A.,  Evanston,  III Chi.  2016 

Kemp,  N.  P.,  Boston Pha.  3708 

Kendall,  Jonas  C.,  Dunstable,  Mass...  Bos.  3810 

Kendig,  Rev.  M.  S.,  Canonsburg,  Pa...  Pbg.  2955 
Kennedy,  Rev.  J.  P.,  Newman's  Mills, 

Pa Pbg.  2859 

Kennedy,  Rev.  S.  Y.,  Blairsville,  Pa-.  Pbg.  3730 

Kennedy,  Rev.  T.  8.,  Jamestown,  Pa..  Pbg.  1374 

Kennedy,  Wm.  W.,  Cairo,  111 Chi.  2543 

Kent,  T.  D.,  Washington Wn.  2148 

Kfim.n.  Kfv.  .S.  F..  N.  Bay,  N.  Y Pirn.  LWJ 

Kn,.|/l...  Rev.  Theo.,  Cincinnati Cin.  lull 

Kerfoot,  Rev.  R.  T.,  Dayton,  0 Cin.  3049 

Kerr,  Rev.  Thos.,  M.  D.,  Rockford,  111.  Chi.  2109 


622 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Ketcham,  Ebenezer  P.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2896 

Kimlmll,  B.  N.,  Milo,  Me Wn.     2491 

Kimball  (2),  Rev.  J.  P.,  Falmonth,  Ms.  Bos.     1779 

Kirnball,*  Jas.  Sherman,  Boston Bos.     3563 

Kimball,  J.  W.,  Boston Cin.     3899 

King,  Fred.  A.,  Providence Pha.    3618 

King,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Red  Bank,  N.  J Pha.    3238 

King,  Richard,  Baltimore Bal.     2065 

King.  Rev.  S.  W.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3464 

King.  W.  F.,  Adrian,  Mich Det.    2772 

King,  W.  J.,  Providence Pha.    1871 

King,  W.  0.,  Oberlin,  O Cle.    3276 

Kingsbnry  (2),  W.  C.,  Booneville,  N.Y.  Pha.  1642 
Kingsbury,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Pomfret,  Vt.  Bos.  3196 
Kingsley,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Worthington,  0.  Cle.  3274 

Kinkaid,  S.  P.,  Callensburg,  Pa Pbg.    1604 

Kirk (2),  Rev.  E.  N.,  D.I).,  Boston Bos.     1453 

Kirkby,  \Vm.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   3331 

Kittridge,  Rev.  A.  E.,  Sato  Francisco..  Bos.  3379 
Kitzmiller,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Hagerst'n,  Md.  Bal.  3446 

Kline,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Cincinnati Cin.     1324 

Kliug,  Wm.  H.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3579 

Knight,  Robt.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3583 

Knight.  S.  H.,  Hamilton  College,  N.Y.  Pha.    2920 

Knott,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Wayland,  N.  Y Buf.    3854 

Kuott,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Warner,  N.  H Bos.    3648 

Knowles,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Batavia,  N.  Y...  Bnf.     1852 

Knowlton,  Rev.  A.  W.,  New  York Pha.    3165 

Knox,  Rev.  Jno.  D.,  Rochester,  Pa Pbg.    2169 

Knox,  Rev.  W.  E.,  Rome,  N.  Y Pha.    3429 

Koons,  Rev.  L.  M.,  Pottsville,  Pa Pha.   3015 

Knim,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   2406 

Kumler,  Rev.  J.  P.  E.,  Oxford,  0 Cin.    1325 

Kyte,  Rev.  Jas.,  Bangor,  Me Bos.    3191 

LaCroix,  Prof.  J.  P.,  Delaware,  O Cin.     1926. 

Lake,  Rev.  G.  S.,  Matherton,  Mich Cin.     1747 

Lamkin,  Rev.  H.,  Leonard  Hollow,  Pa.  Buf.     3858 

Landis,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Pottetown,  Pa Pha.    2215 

Lane,  Rev.  J.  D.,  E.  Bethany,  N.  Y....  Pha.  3027 
Lane,  Rev.  J.  P.,  E.  Weymouth,  Ms...  Bos.  2660 

Lathrop,  Rev.  C.  G.,  Berlin,  Wis Chi.     2095 

Lathrop  (2),  Rev.  H.  D.,  Springfield,  0.  Cin.    1314 

Law,  J.  W.,  Whately,  Mass Bos.     2769 

Lawrence  (2),  Arthur,  Boston Bos.    1769 

Lawrence,  Rev.  Jno.,  Oxford,  O Cin.     1932 

Lawrence,  L.  L.,  Burlington,  Vt Bos.    3254 

Lawrence,  Rev.  Thos.,  Putnam,  N.  Y.  Pha.  1270 
Lawrence,  Wm.  A.,  Pepperell,  Mass...  Bos.  3287 

Lawson,  J.  B.,  Lawsonham,  Pa Pbg.    1373 

Lea,  Rev.  R.,  Pittsburg pDg.    isiZ 

Leake,  Rev.  Thos.,  Evanston,  111 Chi.     2016 

Learned,  Wm.  C.,  Bunalo Buf.     2785 

Leas,  D.  P.,  Mt.  Union,  Pa Pha.    2499 

Leason(2),  Rev.  T.  S.,  Brookville,  Pa.  Pbg.    1366 

Leavitt,  B.  F.,  Lowell BOS.     2703 

Leavitr;  Rev.  H.  C.,  W.  Bolton,  Vt Bos.     2450 

LeCronier,  Rev.  G.,  Providence,  Pa....  Pha.    2056 

Lee,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Bovina,  N.  Y Pl,a.    2947 

Leete,  Rev.  T.  A.,  Longmeadow,  Ms...  Bos.    1444 


Legate.  Rev.  0.  M..  Rome,  N.  Y Pha.  1861 

Lehr,  Rev.  J.  0.,  Pine  Grove,  Pa Pha.  3454 

Leighton,*  J.  W..  Xe,\v  Market.  N.  H.  Bos.  3314 

Leiper,  Robt.,  Hookstown,  Pa Pbg.  3351 

Leonard,  Rev.  G.  E.,  Elyria,  0. Cin.  3037 

Leonard,  Rev.  Wm.  J.,  Rochester Pha.  2353 

Lesley,  Rev.  C.,  Williamsport,  Md Bal.  3444 

Leslie,  I.  I.,  Newton  Lower  Falls,  Ms.  Bos.  3815 

Lester,  Rev.  T.  R.,  Martinsville,  Ind...  Ind.  3057 

Lester,  Rev.  W.  H..  W.  Alexander,  Pa.  Pbg.  2441 

Leuty,  Rev.  Wm.,  Ligonier,  Ind Chi.  2608 

Leverance,  R.  A.,  Baltimore Bal.  2815 

Levy,  Rev.  A.  J.,  Cincinnati Pha.  3310 

Lewis,  Elijah,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2272 

Lewis,  Rev.  V.  A.,  Troy Pha.  2283 

Litchfield,Rev.G.A.,Winchendon,Ms.  Bos.  2454 

Littell,  Rev.  D.  S.,  Clokey,  Pa Pbg.  2678 

Little,  Rev.  C.  E.,  Fairhaven,  Vt Pha.  3515 

Little,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Felchville,  Vt Bos.  3649 

Little,  Jno.  W.,  M.  D.,  Concord,  N.  H...  Bos.  3538 

Little,  T.  D.,  Salisbury,  N.  H Bos.  3543 

Little,  Wm.  M.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2126 

Littlewood,  Rev.  T.,  Westchester,  N.Y.  Pha.  3272 

Livermore,  Rev.  S.  T.,  Lowville,  N.  Y.  Bal.  3450 

Lloyd,  J.  S.,  New  York Wn.  2481 

Lobdell,    Rev.  F.,  Bridgeport,  Ct Pha.  2372 

Locke,  Frank  D.,  Gowanda,  N.  Y Pha.  2523 

Logan,  Rev.  S.  C.,  Valparaiso,  Ind Pha.  2619 

Longley,  Rev.  M.  M.,  Washington,  Ms.  Bos.  1455 

Longstroth,  Rev.  S.  S.,  Oxford,  0 Cin.  1928 

Loomis(2),  Rev.  Elihu,  Littleton,  Ms.  Bos.  1464 

Loop,  Rev.  DeW.  C.,  Rochester Pha.  2299 

Lord,  C.  A.,  Portland Bos.  2390 

Lore,  Rev.  D.  D.,  Buffalo Buf.  1848 

Lore,  J.  W.,  Buffalo Pha.  2429 

Lounsbery,  Rev.  Edw.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  2620 

Love,  Rev.  Wm.  DeLoss,  Milwaukee...  Wn.  3636 
Lovell,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Weathersfield,  Ct.  N.  Y.  1968 

Lowes,  Prof.  J.  A.,  S.  Salem,  0 Cin.  1924 

Lowrie(2),  M.  B.,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind....  Pbg.  2185 

Lowrie,  Rev.  J.M.,D.D.,Ft. Wayne,  Ind.  Pha.  3798 

Lowry,  Rev.  I.  N.,  Lima,  N.  Y Pha.  3029 

Lowry,  Rev.  Thos.,  Stratford,  C.  W....  Det.  3606 

Loyd,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Louisville Cin.  1931 

Luce,  Rev.  Israel,  Waterbury.  Vt Bos.  2911 

Luckey,  Robt.  J.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2907 

Ludlum,  Chas.  H.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2990 

Lugg,  Rev.  Saml.,  Yorkville,  Wis Chi.  2609 

Luut,  Rev.  Abraham,  Waldoboro',  Me.  Bos.  2915 

Luse,  Lester,  M.D.,  Barry,  0 Cle.  3141 

Lyford,  Rev.  C.  P.,  Koine,  N.  Y Pha.  2047 

Lyle,  A.  F.,  San  Francisc^ Pha.  3213 

Lyle,  Rev.  Jno.,  Trenton Pha.  3304 

Lyon,  Rev.  J.  H..  Pittsburg Pbg.  1610 

Lytle,  Rev.  David,  Troy,  N.  Y Pha.  2281 

Lytle,  Rev.  Jas.  P.,  New  Concord,  0...  Pbg.  2954 

Macfarland,  Jos.,  Philadelphia ."  Pha.  1S73 

Mack,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Plainfield,  111 Chi.  3077 

Malcom,  W.  D.,  Springfield,  Vt Bos.  3190 


LIST   OF   DELEGATES. 1864. 


623 


Mallalien,  Rich.  T ..  Baltimore Bal.     1232 

Mallery,  Rev.  Richard  A.,  Philad'a....  Plia.    1488 

Mallory,  Chas.  P..  Philadi-li.hia Pha.    1899 

Mallor.v,  Rev.  O.  K.,  Westtield,  N.  Y...  Bnf. 

Man.lrville.  ('.  E.,  Middle-ton,  Ct Pha.    3086 

Manlove,  Rev.  Win.  E.,  Philadelphia,.  Pha.    2317 

Manly.  Rev.  K.  N.,  Utica Uta.    3116 

Maiming  Rev.  Win.,  Bath,  N.  Y Pha.    3517 

Mumvell,  Rev.  B.  F.,  S.  Bridgeton,  Me.  Bos.     1441 

March,  Rev.  Daniel,  D.  D.,  Pliilad'a Pha.    1490 

March,  Henry,  M.D.,  Albany Wn.    2161 

Murkliam,Rev.W.F.,AlderCreek,N.Y.  Pha.    2417 

Markle,  Rev.  S.  M.,  Oxford,  Ohio Cin.     1914 

Marks,  Win.  M.,  Portland Bos.     1794 

Marlay,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Cincinnati Cin.     1748 

Marsh  (2),  Alfred,  Montague,  Mass Bos.     1661 

Marsh.  Rev.  J.,  Busti,  N.  Y Buf.    3693 

Marshall,  Rev.  M.  B.,  Buxton  Centre, 

Maine Bos.     2992 

Man-hall.  Isaac,  Baltimore Bal.     2824 

Marshall,  Rov.  W.  K.,  Bellair,  Ohio...  Pbg.    1999 

Martin,  J.  A.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   2140 

Martindale,  Rev.  Thos.  E.,W.  Phila...  Pha.  1470 
Marvin,  Rev.  Chas.  S.,  Hebron,  N.  Y..  Try.  2718 

Maryatt.  D.  P.,  Mansfield,  Pa Pha.    3966 

Mason,  Andrew,  Brooklyn Bkn.   2124 

Mason.  Rev.  C.  C.,  Hallowell,  Me Bos.     2973 

Mason.  Rev.  J.  W.,  Lebanon,  Ohio Cin.     1756 

Mast,  Rev.  Isaac,  Roxborongh,  Pa Pha.    1631 

Mathews,  C.  If.,  Doylestown,  Pa Pha.    2519 

Matlack,  Rev.  R.  C.,  Philadelphia Pha.    1487 

Mattox,*  Rev.  G.  N.,  Prosperity,  Pa...  Pbg.  3354 
Maxwell,  Abraham,  Biing.Thcol.Sem.  Bos.  2919 
Maxwell,  Morris,  Frenchtown,  N.  J...  Pha.  2945 

McAllister,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Aledo,  111 Peo.    2943 

McAllister,  Rev.  Win..  Brooklyn Bkn.   3458 

McAnn,  Rev.  Isaac.  St.  Johnsbnry,  Vt.  Bos.  2236 
McAnley  (5),  Rev.  Alex.  G.,  Philad'a..  Pha.  1632 
McCampbell.G.M.,JeffersonvilIe,Ind.  Ind.  1949 
McCarrell,  J.,  M.D.,  Frankfort  Springs, 

Pa Pbg.    1620 

McCauley,  Clay,  Chambersbnrg Pha.    2993 

McClelland,  Rev.  A.  C.,  Pittsburg Pbg.    1811 

McClelland,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Evanston:  111.  Chi.     2093 

McClure,Jas.H.,  Albany Pha.    2350 

McClure,  N.  C Peo.    3767 

McConnell,  Rev.  W.  A.,  Keene,  Ohio..  Pbg.    1375 

McCord,  Rev.  Jno.  D.,  Penn,  Ohio Cle.     3475 

McCormick,  G.  T.,  Pittsbnrg Pbg.    2198 

McCoy,  Henry,  S.  Boston,  Mass Bos.     2662 

McCiilIongh(2),Rev.J.B.,Pottsville,Pa.  Pha.    1633 

Met '.me.  Rev.  J.  W.^f.  Mills,  Pa Pbg.    1815 

McDonald,  Jr.,  Jno.,  Pottsville,  Pa Pha.    2343 

M.-DnnaM.  Kev.  Wn...  Providence Bos.     2237 

McDowall  (2),  Rev.  0.  M.,  Pittston,  Pa.  Pha.    2590 

McElroy,  Jno.  E.,  Albany Pha.    2326 

McFarluiKl,  II.  II..  Flushing,  N.  Y N.  Y.  1906 

McGarland,  Jno.,  Win-low.  Me N.  Y.  3569 

McGaw,  Rov.  J.  A.  P.,  Biggsville,  111..  Chi.     1411 


McGee,  Thos.  B.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2128 

McGiffert,  Rev.  J.  N.,  Sauquoit,  N.  Y..  N.  Y.  1905 

McGinnis,  Rev.  — ,  Cleveland Cle.     2510 

McGowan,  J.  A.,  Easton,  Pa Pha.    3133 

M. -Harris,  Jas.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia Pha.    3455 

McIIenry,  Rev.  D.  S.,  York,  N.  Y Pha.    2591 

Mi  Henry,  Rev.  Win.,  Havana,  N.Y...  N.  Y.  3705 
Mcllvaine,  Rev.  C.  P.,  D.D.,  Cincinnati.  Bkn.  2268 

McKee,  Jno.,  Hamilton,  Ohio Cin.     1951 

McKee,  W.  M.,  Bellefontaino,  Ohio....  Pha.  3010 
McKinney,  Rev.  E.,  Boggstown,  Ind..  Ind.  1350 
McLaren, Rev.  W.  S., Caledonia, N.Y.  Pha.  3024 
McLaughlin,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Philad'a...  Pha.  2201 
McLean,  Rev.  D.  M.  B.,  Allegheny,  Pa.  Pbg.  1813 
McLean(2),Rev.S.A.,\V.Alexander,Pa.  Pbg.  2177 
McLeod,  Geo.  J.,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  2627 
McLeod(3),Rev.H.,Brentwood,N.H.  BOB.  1447 

McMahon,  C.  W.,  Plymouth,  Mass Bos.     3651 

McMichael,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Belle  Brook,  0.  Pbg.    3482 

McMillan,  D.  A.,  Geneseo,  N.  Y Pha.    2798 

McMillan,  Rev.  W.H.,  Little  York,  III.  Peo.    2368 

McNuir,  Rev.  G.  T.,  Trevorton,  Pa Pha.    2794 

McNeille,  R.  G.  S.,  New  Haven,  Ct Pha.    3014 

McVay,  Rev.  Homer,  Reynoldsburg,0.  Cin.  175S 
McVean,Rev.l).C.,Franklinville,N.Y.  Pha.  -'5724 

Mead  (2),  Rev.  A.  P.,  Rockford,  III Chi.     2110 

Mead,  Rev.  Hiram,  S.  Hadley,  Mass...  Bos.     2567 

Meeds,  Rev.  J.  B.  D..  Pittsbnrg Pbg.    2951 

Menanl,  Jno.,  Easton,  Pa Pha.    3131 

Mendenhall,  J.  W.,  Delaware,  Ohio...  Cin.     1912 

Mercer,  Robert,  Florence,  Pa Pbg.    2677 

Merchant,  G.,  Troy Pha.    2502 

Merriam,  C.H.,  Westminster,  Mass....  Bos.  3533 
Merrifield,  Rev.E.  T..  Kayetteville.Vt.  N.Y.  1967 
Merriman,  Hev.T.M.,  Lnnsingb'g.  N.Y.  Pha.  2380 
Messer,  G.  H.,  N.  Cambridge,  Mass....  Bos.  2977 

Metcalf,  E.  W.,  Bangor,  Me Bos.     3497 

Metcalf,  Rev.  Jno.  E.,  Hineslmrg,  Vt.  Bos.     3315 

Michaels,  C.  L.,  Franklin,  N.  Y N.  Y.  1965 

Miller,  Rev.  D.  M.,  Alliance,  Ohio Pbg.    1605 

Miller,  F.  K.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2141 

Miller,  Isaac  L.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   2122 

Miller,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Evanston,  111 Chi.     2092 

Miller,  Rev.  J.  J.,  Charleston   Four 

Corners.  N.Y Pha.    1638 

Miller,  Rev.  J.  V.  R.,  Indianapolis Ind.    1945 

Miller,  Prof.  L.  D.,  Little  Falls.  N.  Y..  Pha.    3087 

Miller,  Rev.  S.,  Janesville,  Wis Chi 

Milne,  Peter,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3333 

Milner,  D.  C.,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Ohio Wg.    3420 

Miner,  Rev.  E.  G.,  Whitewater.  Wis...  Mil.    3639 

Mint H.,  M.  D.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2131 

Mitchell,  Rev.  Jno.,  Furmington,  Mo.  Bos.  165T 
Mitchell,  Rev.  J.  D.,  D.D.,  Washington.  Pha.  146« 
Mitchell,  Rev.  Thos.  G..  Ma.li-,,....  Me.  Bos.  3647 
Modesitt,  Rev.  W.  M..  Akron.  N.  Y....  Pha.  2735 

Monroay,  Hev.  — ,  New  York Pha.   1901 

Montfort,  U,.v.  C.  V..  Ma.-oml..    Ill Chi.     2542 

Montfort  Rev.  F.  P.,  Greenxburg,  Ind.  Ind.    1298 


624 


ANNALS    OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Montfort,  J.  A.,  Connersville,  Iowa... 

Cin. 

1954 

Norton,  Chas.  A.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem. 

Bos. 

2916 

Monteith,  Jr.,  Rev.  Jno.,  Cleveland... 

Cle. 

2379 

Norton,  II.  M.,  Philipsburg,  N.  J  

Pha. 

2262 

Moody,  D.  L.,  Chicago  

Chi. 

1427 

Noyes,  E.  M.,  Newark,  N.  J  

Pha. 

2383 

Mooney  (2),  Rev.  Arthur,  Troy  

Pha. 

2304 

Noyes,  Rev.  H.  V.,  Pittsburg  

Pbg. 

3738 

Moore,  Rev.  James  D.,  Clinton,  Ct  

Pha. 

1708 

Ogden,  Rev.  J.G.,  Portville,  N.Y  

Buf. 

3853 

Moore,  Levi,  M.D.,  Albany  

Pha. 

2724 

Olcott,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Chicago  

Chi. 

1410 

Morand,  Augustus,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2129 

Orange,  Rev.  S.  J  

St.  L 

3759 

Morehouse,  Rev.  H.  L.,  Rochester  

Pha. 

2351 

Ormsby,  M.  P.,  Mt.  Can-oil,  111  

Chi. 

1417 

Morell,  Rev.  I.  F.,  Penn's  Grove,  N.  J. 

Pha. 

2530 

Osgood,  D.  W.,  Keene,  N.  H  

Bos. 

3664 

Morey(2),  Rev.  A.  B.,  Franklin,  Ind. 

Ind. 

1299 

Owen.  Rev.  A.,  Lynn,  Mass  

Bos. 

2668 

Morey,  H.  M.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem.. 

Pha. 

1449 

Owen,  Rev.  Griffith,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1231 

Morgan,  Rev.  II.  H.,  Wiibashaw,  Wis. 

Chi. 

2012 

Owen,  Miss  N.,  Centrevillc,  Midi  

Cin. 

1743 

Morgan,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Rural  Valley,  Pa. 

Pbg. 

1384 

Paddock,  Robt,  N.  Bay,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2926 

Morgeau,  Rev.  C.,  N.  Ipswich,  N.  H.. 

Bos. 

2761 

Paddock  (2),  Rev.  W.  F.,  Philad'a  

Pha. 

2464 

Morley(2).  J.  H.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem. 

Bos. 

1694 

Page  E  B    Atkinson   Me 

Bos. 

8825 

Morrell,*Rev.  P.  P.,  Gardiner,  Me..... 

Bos. 

2968 

Page,  Rev.  M.  B.,  Belvidere,  111  

Chi. 

2605 

Morris,  Rev.  G.  K.,  Clarksboro',  N.  J. 

Pha. 

3723 

Page,  Rev.  S.  B.,  Cleveland  

Cle. 

2373 

Morris,  Rev.  Henry,  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y. 

N.  Y.  1910 

Paine,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Fayette,  Iowa  

Chi. 

2553 

Morris,  Lewis,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

3580 

Palmer,  A.  D.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem.... 

Bos. 

2918 

Morris,  Rev.  S.  D.,  Portville,  N.  Y  

Buf. 

3691 

Park,  Geo.  M.,  Readfield,  Me  

Bos. 

2764 

Morrison,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Waukegan,  Ill- 

Chi. 

1415 

Park,  W.  E.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms. 

Bos. 

1802 

Morrow  S  B    St  Paul 

St  P 

2192 

Parker  B  K    Red  Bank  N  J 

Pha. 

3239 

Morse,  Garrett  S.,  Triangle,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3925 

Parker,  Rev.  C.  C.,  Waterbury,  Vt  

Bos. 

1767 

Morton,  Rev.  A.  D.,  Maysville,  N.  Y... 

Buf. 

1772 

Parker  (2),  Henry  F.,  Reading,  Mass.. 

Bos. 

3260 

Morton,  Rev.  R.  8.,  Hookstown,  Pa... 

Pbg. 

2001 

Parker,  Rev.  Jno.,  Rochester..  

Buf. 

1706 

Moses,  L.  B.,  Washington  

Wn. 

2154 

Parker,  L.  F.,M.  D.,  Vermont  

Wn. 

2163 

Mott,  Saml.  C.  L.,  Sing  Sing,  N.  Y..... 

N.  Y. 

1908 

Parker  (2),  S.  J.,  M.  D.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.... 

Pha. 

2216 

Mowry,  Rev.  Havilah,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

3180 

Parker(2),  Rev.  W.W.,  Cambridge,  Ms. 

Bos! 

1878 

Munger,  Rev.  E.  H.,  Taberg,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2741 

Parkhurst,  H.  A.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

1230 

Murphy,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Avon.  Ct  

Pha. 

1697 

Parkinson,  M.  A.,  Island  Creek.  0  

Pbg. 

1622 

Murphy,  Rev.  Jno.  R.,  Salem,  N.  J  

Pha. 

2637 

Parkinson,  Rev.  Royal,  Randolph,  Vt. 

Bos. 

3535 

Murphy,  Rev.  T.  C.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

2207 

Parmelee,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Kenosha,  Wis.. 

Chi. 



Murray,  Rev.  C.  D.,  New  York  

N.  Y. 

1907 

Parrott,  Rev.  Geo.,  Monroe,  0  

Cin. 

1952 

Mussor,  Jno.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

2075 

Parry,  Rev.  P.  B.,  Pecatonica,  111  

Chi. 

3072 

Myers.  Henry  S.,  Princeton.  N.  J  

Pha. 

2294 

Parsons,  Rev.  E.  G.,  Derry,  N.  II  

Bos. 

2386 

Myers  (2),  Rev.  P.  J.  H.,  Brooklyn  

Pha. 

1805 

Parsons,  Rev.  Jno.,  Medina.,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3028 

Nason,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Smyrna,  N.  Y  

N.Y. 

3301 

Parsons,  J.  L.,  Grand  Blanc.,  Mich  

Det. 

3613 

Naylor,  Rev.  A.  R.,  Chester,  111  

Cin. 

1737 

Parsons,  Rev.  Levi,  Mt,  Morris,  N.  Y.. 

Buf. 

3553 

Neale,  Rev.  Rollin  H.,  D.D.,  Boston... 

Bos. 

1452 

Parsons,  Rev.  S..  Somerville,  N.  J  

Pha. 

2671 

Needles,  J.  A.,  Port  Deposit,  Md  

Bal. 

2071 

Partridge,  Asa,  W.  Medway,  Mass  

Bos. 

3824 

Neill,  Rev.  Henry,  Geneseo,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2657 

Parvin(2),  Rev.  R.  J.,Chelten  Hills,  Pa. 

Pha. 

1498 

Nelson,  H.  F.,  Walnut  Hills,  0  

Cin. 

1922 

Patterson,  Edward,  New  York  

Pha. 

2115 

Newbold,  Rev.W.  A.,Wilmington,Del. 

Pha. 

2494 

Patterson,  Jno.,  Green  Point,  N.  Y  

Bkn. 

2038 

Newcomb,  Albert  S.,  Albany  

Pha. 

3226 

Patterson  (3),  Jno.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

1891 

Newcomb,  Chas.,  Boston  

Bos. 

2244 

Pattersf  n    R   v   Rol  t     T>  T)    Ph'o 

Pha. 

3519 

Newcomb,  0.  W.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2751 

Patterson,  Rev.  Saml.,  Deersville,  0... 

Pbg. 

3727 

Newhouse,  Rev.J.E.,Crown  Point,  Ind. 

Ind. 

1948 

Pattison,  W.,  Ypsilanti,  Mich  

Det. 

2683 

Newman,  Rev.  E.  S.,  Attica,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2738 

Patton,  Rev.  Jas.  L.,  Clarksfield,  0  

Pha. 

2617 

Newton,  Rev.  0.  H.,  Delaware,  0  

Cin. 

1940 

Patton(3),  Rev.  Wm.  D.,  Philad'a  

Pha. 

2279 

Nichols,  H.  F.C.,  Haverhill,  Mass  

Bos. 

3829 

Paul,  Jr.,  Hosea,  Cleveland  

Cle. 

3279 

Nichols,  Rev.  C.  L.,  Princeton,  Me  

Bos. 

3167 

Payson,  Rev.  Chas.  H.,  New  York  

Pha. 

2495 

Nichols,  Rev.  Starr,  Chicago  

Chi. 

1428 

Peach,  Rev.  E.  N.,  Cleveland^  

Pbg. 

1680 

Nichols,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Monson,  Mass.... 

Bos. 

3490 

Pearce,  Jno.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

3462 

Nichols,  Rev.  W.  J.,  Lewiston,  N.  Y_. 

Buf. 

2779 

Pearl,  Chas.  S.,  Dedham,  Me  

BOD. 

3809 

Nicholson(2),  Rev.  C.  F.,  E.  Boston,  Ms. 

Bos. 

26G3 

Pearl,*  Rev.  Cyril,  S.  Freeport,  Me.... 

BOB. 

1462 

Noble,  Rev.  C.,  Wilbraham,  Mass  

Bos. 

1445 

Pearson,  Rev.  F.  C.,  W.  Philadelphia. 

Pha. 

1475 

Noble,  Rev.  T.  K.,  Winthrop,  Me  

Bos. 

1655 

Pearson,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Plymouth  Hollow, 

Nock,  J.  A..W.  Phil'a.  Divinity  School. 

Pha. 

2321 

Conn  

Pha. 

1698 

Nonis,  Rev.  W.  II.,  Brooklyn  

Cin. 

3903 

Pearson,  S.  W.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem.... 

Bos. 

2767 

LIST    OF    DELEGATES. 1864. 


625 


Pease,  Rev.  J.  J.,  Binghamton,  N.  Y-.  Pha.    3110 

Peck,  Jno.  A.,  Baltimore Bal.    2818 

Peck,  Rev.  Luther,  Scranton,  Pa Pha.    2801 

Peer,  \Vm..  Cold  Spring,  N.  Y N.  Y.  3697 

Peet,  Rev.  S.  D.,  Chelsea,  Mass Bos. 

Peloubet,  Rev.  F.  N.,  Oakham,  Mass...  Bos. 
Perrigrine,  Rev.  J.  S.,  — ,  Minnesota...  Chi. 

Perry,  Rev.  Jos.,  Philadelphia. Pha.    3373 

Peters,  Rev.  Geo.  A.,  Venango  co.,  Pa.  Bnf. 

Peters,  J.  W.,  Delaware,  Ohio Cin.     1936 

Peters,  Miss.--,  Chicago Chi. 

Pettibone,  A.  W.,  Attica,  N.  Y Bnf. 

Pettingill,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Westbrook,  Ct.  Pha.    2049 

Petty,  Rev.  A.  L.,  High  Hill,  Ohio Pbg.    2850 

Phelps,  Rev.  G.  0.,  Oneonta,  N.  Y Pha.    2234 

Phillips,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Pittsfield,  Mass...  N.  Y.  1714 
Pickett,  Rev.  Cyrus,  Wentworth,  N.H.  Bos. 

Pierce.  Jr..  Rev.  Geo.,  Lowell Bos. 

Pierce,  Jno.,  M.D.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3584 

Pierce,  L.  M.,  W.  Randolph,  Vt Bos. 

Pierce,  Rev.  W.  G.,  Elmwood,  111 Peo.    2950 

Pierson,  Isaac,  Hartford Har. 

Pierson,  Rev.  J.,  New  Hudson,  Mich..  Det. 
Pierson,  Rev.  Jno.,  Milford,  Michigan.  Det. 

Pierson,  S.  B.,  Batavia,  N.  Y Buf. 

Pinkertou,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Berlin,  111 Chi. 

Pittis,  T.  II.,  Tappan,0hio Pbg.    3728 

Place,  Ephraim,  Brooklyn 

Platt,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Zanesville,  Ohio Pbg.    3733 

Plumb,  Prof.  J.  C.,  Ypsilanti,  Mich....  Det.    2775 

Plumley,  Rev.  — ,  Cleveland Cle. 

Poerner(2),  Rev.Jno.  B.,Lebanon,Pa.  Pha.    2058 

Poinier(2),  Geo.  W.,  Newark,  N.  J Pha.    2407 

Points,  M.  A.,  Carlisle,  Pa, Ph 

Pollock,  Henry  C.,  Philadelphia Pha.    2291 

Pollock,  Rev.  R.  H.,  Cincinnati Pha. 

Pollock,  Samuel.  Tareutum,  Pa Pbg.    1074 

Pollock,  Rev.  W.  F.,  D.D.,  Florence,  Pa.  Pbg.    2675 

Pond,  Moses  W.,  Boston Bos. 

Pope,  Jr.,  W.  P.,  Binghamton,  N.  Y...  Pha. 

Porter,  Rev.  Byron,  Shelocta,  Pa. Pbg.    3601 

Porter,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Lockport,  N.  Y.  Buf.    2784 

Porter,  H.  L.,  Haverhill,  Mass. Bos. 

Post,  Rev.C.  B.,  Oncida,  N.  Y Uta. 

Potter,  Rev.  A.  K.,  S.  Berwick,  Me....  Bos. 

Potter,  Chas.,  Olivet  College,  Mich Chi. 

Potter,  Gabriel,  Sommerford,  Ohio Cin. 

Potter,  Jno.  S.,  Newton  Corner,  Mass.  Bos. 

l'..ttr-r.  Joshua,  Nilea,  Mich Chi. 

Powell,  G.  M.,  Washington Wn.    2166 

Powell(2),  W.  R.,  Gambler  Theol.  Sem.  Pbg.    1681 
]',,«,  r.  Mi-.  K.  .(..(Vntn.ville,  Mich..  Cin. 

Powers,  Rev.  H.,Springville,  Mass Pha.   1786 

Powell,    Jas.,  Nashua,  N.  H Bos. 

Pratt,  Rev.  A.  L  ,  Bradford,  Vt Bos. 

Pratt,  A.  S.,  Washington Wn. 

Pratt  (2),  Prof.  D.  J.,  Fredonia,  N.  Y..  Buf.    1771 
Pratt,  Geo.  H.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem....  Bos. 

Pratt,  Jno.  F.,  Brooklyn Pha 

79 


3110 

Pratt,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Athens,  Ohio  

Cin.     3402 

2818 

Pratt,  Rev.  P.  S.,  Dorset,  Vt  

Pha.    3926 

2801 

Pray,  Jos.  M.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn.  2402 

3697 

Preston,  —  ,  K.  D.,  Galway,  N.  Y  

Pha.    2596 

1721 

Prince  (2),  Rev.  Isaac,  Brooklyn  

Bku.   2334 

1654 

Proudfoot,  J.  A.,  Florence,  Pa  

Pbg.    2674 

1429 

Purkis,Rev.  J.  M.,W.  Campton,  N.  II. 

Bos.     2043 

3373 

Pycroft  Thos.  S    Boston.... 

Bos.     1808 

1856 

Quigley,  Rev.  Geo.,  Marcus  Hook,  Pa. 

Pha.    2504 

1936 

Quimby,   Prof.  E.  T.,  Dartmouth  Col. 

Bos.     2763 

1424 

Railsbeck,  L.,  Walnut  Hills,  Ohio  

Cin.    1939 

2778 

Rainey,  A.  G.,  Winebago,  111  „.  Chi.     2541 

2049 

Rainey,  Mrs.  J.  A.,  Three  Rivers,  Mich. 

Chi.     2087 

2850 

Rainey,  Rev.  J.A.,  Three  Rivers,  Mich. 

Chi.     2088 

2234 

Raitt,  Rev.  G.  P.,  Winona,  Minn  

Chi.     1419 

1714 

Ralston,  W.  W.,  Princeton  Theol.  Sem. 

Pha.    1450 

1388 

Ranisdell  J  H    Atkinson  Me 

Bos.     3826 

3661 

Ramsdell.Rev.S.  L.,Northville.  Mi.-h. 

Det.    3410 

3584 

Randall  *  Capt   .los  L 

N.  Y.  3565 

3104 

Randers,  Rev.W.N.,  W.  Charlton,  N.Y. 

Pha.    3367 

2950 

Rankin,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Bavington,  Pa  

Pbg.    1623  . 

3209 

Ranks,Rev.Swanton,Cu]nberland,Me. 

Bos.     3875 

1841 

Ransom,  Rev.  W.  II.,  Troy  

Pha.    2468 

3005 

Raser  Edwin  Brooklyn 

Bkn.  2905 

1775 

Ray,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Hartford,  Vt  

Bos.     2698 

2544 

Reamer  D  P  Cleveland 

Cle.     2687 

3728 

Reasoner,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Maysville,  Ky... 

Cin.     1309 

2132 
3733 

Redlet  G.  Albert,  Philadelphia.  
Redfield,  Rev.  H.  S.,  Woodfleld,  N.  Y. 

Pha.    3166 
Pha.    1788 

2775 

Reding,  Thos.,  Philadelphia  

Pha.    2936 

2514 

Reed  (2),  Jr.,  Jacob,  M.D.,  Philad'a  

Pha,    2260 

2058 

Reed,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Indianapolis  

Ind.     1943 

2407 

Reed.  Rev.  Jno.  S.,  Philadelphia  

Pha.    2293 

2537 

Reed.  L.  C.,  Franklin  Mills,  Ohio  

Cle.     3142 

2291 

Reed,  Win.  A.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia  

Pha.    2214 

2371 

Reid  J   M    Pittsbnrg 

Pbg.    1625 

1074 

Reid,  Rev.  W.  II.,  W.  Barnet,  Vt  

Pha.    1693 

2675 

Requa*  Rev.  Henry,  Ripon,  Wis  

St.  L.  3431 

1807 

Reynolds,  Chas.  0.,  Hunter,  N.  Y  

N.  Y.  3703 

3937 

Reynolds,  Rev.  H.  J.,  Ludlow,  Ohio... 

Pbg.    3734 

3601 

Reyuolds(2),  Rev.  J.  F.,  Chestnut  Hill. 

Pha.    1634 

2784 

Rhodes,  Jno.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn.  3831 

3173 

Rhodes,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Pottsville,  Pa  

Pha.    3452 

3778 

Rico,  Rev.  M.  M.,  Boonoville,  N.  Y  

Pha.    1481 

2307 

Rich,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Minneapolis,  Minn... 

St.  P.  2191 

2548 

Richards,    C.    H.,     Andover,  Theol. 

OCQQ 

Sera    Mass 

Pha.   3164 

3193 

Richards(2),  Frank.  Baltimore  

Pha.   1787 

3073 

Rirlmrdson,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Killingly,  Ct. 

Bos.    3493 

2166 

Richardson.  Wm..  Hanover,  N.  II  

Bos.     3318 

1681 

ltii-hiirdsr.il.  W..  Sterling,  Mass  

Bos.     2970 

1744 

Richie,  W.  M.,  Harshaville,  Pa  

Pbg.    1624 

1786 

Rideout  *  J.  J.,  Florence,  Pa  

Pbg.    2678 

2240 

Righter,  Chas.  A.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn.  2744 

3650 

Riley(2),  F.  W.,Clappville,  Mans  

Bos.     2917 

2477 

Rine,  Rev.  D.  J.  K.,  Washington,  Pa- 

Pirn.    3006 

1771 

Ritchie,  Rev.  H.,  Winona,  111  

Peo.    3590 

2913 

Ritter(2),  J.  Rush,  Philadelphia.  

Pha.    2569 

3009 

Robb,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Xenia,  Ohio  

Cin.    1323 

626 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Robbing,  Rev.  Frank  L.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.  1483 

Robbins,  Rev.  L.,  Milo,  111 St.  L.  3439 

Robert,  C.,  New  York N.  Y.  3701 

Robert,  Rev.  J.,  Lockport,  111 Chi.  1425 

Roberts,  A.  D.,  Syracuse,  N.  Y Pha,  2296 

Roberts,Rev.  Bellville,  Rochester,N.Y.  Pha.  3263 

Roberts,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Newton,  Iowa St.  L.  3751 

Roberta,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.  1477 

Roberts,  Rev.  Robert,  Acton,  Ind Ind.  1296 

Roberts,  Rev.  Thos.  E.,  Troy,  N.  II....  Bos.  2391 

Robertson,  Rev.  D.  A.,  Patriot,  Iowa..  Cin.  1758 

Robertson,  Rev.  G.  H.,  Troy -.  Pha.  2045 

Robertson,  Rev.  J.  E.,  Monroe,  Ohio..  Cin.  1953 

Robertson,  Rev.  R.  B.,  Cincinnati Pha.  3228 

Robinson,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Delhi,  N.  Y Pha.  2948 

Robinson,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Cincinnati Cin.  1732 

Robinson,  Rev.  R.  S.,  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  Chi 

Robinson,  Rev.  Thos.  H.,  Harrisburg.  Hbg.  3507 

Robinson,  Rev.  Wesley,  Newark N.  Y.  1752 

Robinson,  Wm.,  Middletown,  Ct Pha.  3084 

Robinson,  Rev. W.  J.,  Wheatland,  N.Y.  Pha.  2636 

Robinson,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Greene,  N.  Y...  Pha.  3269 

Rockwell,  F.  M.,  Chicago Chi.  2097 

Rockwell,  Rev.  J.  E.,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn..  Pha.  1641 
Rockwood,  Rev.  J.  M.,  New  England 

Village,  Mass Bos.  3496 

Rockwood,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Boston Pha.  3709 

Rodgers.  Rev.  E.,  Cincinnatus,  N.  Y...  Phsw  2555 

Rodgers,  Homer,  Sudbury,  Mass Bos.  1762 

Rodgers,  Thos.  L.,  Hoosick,  N.Y Pha.  3091 

Roe,  Rev.  Jno.  P.,  Troy Pha.  2359 

Rood,  H.  J.,  Brookfield,  Vt Bos.  1358 

Root,  0.  S.,  M.  D.,  Pittsfield,  Mass Bos.  3882 

Rose,  Rev.  R.  S.,  Owego,  N.  Y Pha.  3363 

Roundey,  Chas.  A.,  Boston N.  Y.  1731 

Rounds,  Chas.  C.,  Cleveland Cle.  3150 

Rugg,  Carlos  A.,  Perrysburg,  N.  Y Buf.  3555 

Rush,  Rev.  Z.  C.,  Athens,  O Cin.  1292 

Russell,  Rc-v.  A.  B.,  Methuen,  Me Bos.  1766 

Russell,  Rev.  W.  P.,  Memphis,  Mich...  Det.  3612 

Rust,  H.  N.,  Springfield,  Mass Pha.  2730 

Sackett,  E.  C.,  Beardstown,  111 St.  L.  3746 

Safford,  Rev.  H.  G.,  Amesbury,  Mass..  Bos.  1695 

Safford  (2),  Rev.  Jno.,  Bellevue,  0 Bal.  2816 

Salisbury,  Rev.  A.  B.,  E.  Otto,  N.  Y....  Buf.  3687 

Salmon  (2),  Edw.  P.,  Plymouth,  0 Bal.  2817 

Salter,  Rev.  C.  C.,  Minneapolis,  Minn.  St.  P.  1353 

Sammis,  Hen.  C.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3326 

Sample,  Rev.  S.  L.,  Elizabeth,  Pa Pbg.  2172 

Sampson,  Wm.  F.,  Dover,  Me Bos.  2699 

San  born,  Rev.  A.  J.,  Irasburg,  Vt Bos.  3195 

Sanborne,  Rev.  G.  E.,  Mt.Vernon,  N.H.  BOB.  1670 

Sanborne,  Rev.  P.F.,W.Bloomf 'd,  N.Y.  Buf.  2782 

Sanderson,  Geo.,  S.  Deerfield,  Mass....  Bos.  3881 

Sanford,  H.  P.,  Medway,  Mass Bos.  3194 

Satchwell,  Rev.  H.  P.,  Monson,  Mass..  Bos.  3382 

Sawtelle,  Rev.  E.  N.,  Saratoga,  N.  Y...  Pha.  2226 

Sawyer,  Rev.  H.  E.,  Concord,  N.  H....  Bos.  3107 

Sawyer,  Rev.  Jno.,  Mexico,  N.  Y Wn.  859 


Sawyer,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Harvard,  Mass....  Bos.  2568 

Sawyer,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Huntingdon.  0..  Pha.  2498 

Saye(2),  Rev.  J.  H.,  Norwich,  N.  Y...  N.  Y.  1400 

Sayler,  S.  H.,  Vicksburg St.  L.  1700 

Schaff(2),  Rev.  P.,  D.D.,  New  York Bal.  2819 

Schilling,  Rev.  I.  G.,  Clarksburg,  \a..  Wn.  3840 

Schluembach,  Lieut.  Fred.,  Philad'a...  Pha.  1718 

Shock,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Decatur,  111 St.  L.  3747 

Schonmaker,  M.  D.,  Troy Pha.  2332 

Scofield,  Winsor,  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y Pha.  2800 

Scott,  Rev.  A.,  Savannah,  0 Cin.  3901 

Scovel,  Rev.  Ezra,  New  Haven,  X.  Y..  Pha.  3366 

Scovel,  Rev.  S.  F.,  Springfield,  0 Cin.  3677 

Searles,  Mrs.  D.  0.,  St.  Louis St.  L.  3758 

Sedgwick,  Rev.G.C.,  Martin's  Ferry.  0.  Cin.  1310 

Seelye,  Rev.  L.  C.,  Springfield,  Mass...  Pha.  2726 

Seelye,  Rev.  Prof.,  Amherst  College...  Bos.  2665 

Sefring,  Rev.  A.,  Mellenville,  N.  Y Pha.  3090 

Seip,  T.  L.,  Penn'a  College,  Gettysb'g.  Pha.  1S58 

Selleck,  Rev.L.,  Pittstown,  N.  Y N.  Y.  1729 

Severance,  Rev.  M.  L.,  Boscawen,  N.H.  Bos.  3375 

Severance,  R.  A.,  M.D.,  Bellevue,  O....  Cle.  3144 

Seymour,  Jas.  L.,  Utica Uta.  3117 

Shadlow,  Jno.  C.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3334 

Shaffer,  Danl.,  Baltimore Bal.  2083 

Shannon,  0.  J.,  Fairwater,  Wis Det.  3416 

Sharp,  Rev.  J.  M.  C.,  Palestine,  Ind...  Ind.  1300 

Sharpe,  Rev.  E.  C.,  Atwater,  Pa Pbg.  1626 

Sharts,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Madison,  N.  Y Uta.  3776 

Shaw,  Rev.  L.  L.,  Gardiner,  Me Bos.  1440 

Shaw,  Wesley,  Baltimore Bal.  2807 

Shaw,  Rev.  W.  P.,  Belle  Centre,  0 Cin.  1315 

Shearer,  Geo.  L.,  Philadelphia Wn.  2157 

Sheldon,  Rev.  L.  H.,  Westboro',  Mass.  Bos.  2388 

Sheley  (2),  Alanson,  Detroit Det.  1842 

Shelling,  Rev.  Chas.,  Leroy,  N.  Y Pha.  2408 

Sherrerd,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Curllsville,  Pa...  Pbg.  1608 

Shier,  Rev.  Wm.  H.,  Chelsea,  Mich....  Pha.  2218 

Shinier,  Alf.,  Baltimore Bal.  2805 

Shinn,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2JI29 

Shinn,  Rev.  Jno.,  Sinking  Springs,  0.  Cin.  1313 

Shobert,  Levi,  Easton,  Pa Pha.  3132 

Shore,  Rev.  Benj.,  Dryden,  N.  Y Pha.  2533 

Shute,  Ebenezer,  Boston Bos.  3807 

Sigsby,  Wm.,  M.  D.,  Knox,  N.  Y Alb.  2694 

Silvers,*  Israel  F.,  Lambertville,  N.  J.  Pha.  2720 

Silvers,  Wm.  F.,  Lambertville,  N.  J...  Pha.  2-.-JS 

Simes,  Snyder  B.,  Philadelphia Pha.  2792 

Simons,  Peter  B.,  Philadelphia Pha.  ±2:4 

Simonson,  Rev.  Wm.  H.,  Brooklyn....  Bkn.  27;,7 

Simpkins,  Rev.  J.  N.,  Alexander.  N.  Y.  Buf.  27*0 

Simpson,  Chas.  M.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y Uta.  311:! 

Skillman,  Rev.W.  J.,  Tecuuiseh,  Mich.  Cin.  3405 

Slack,  Rev.  Jno.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  3710 

Slaight,  W.  C.,  Jersey  City,  N.  J N.  Y.  3942 

Sloan  (3),  Rev.  I.  0.,  Philadelphia Pha.  146'.l 

Sloan,  Samuel,  Rochester Pha.  2319 

Small  (2),  Rev.  Edw.,  Mercer,  Pa. Pbg.  1".C9 

Smedley,  R.  C.,  M.D.,  West  Chester,  Pa.  Pha.  2825 


LIST    OF    DELEGATES. 1864. 


627 


Smiley,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  D.  D.,  Philad'a...  Pha.    2252 
'mitli  Alfred  Brooklyn                         Bkn    3181 

Steen,  Wm.  S.,  W.  Philadelphia  Pha.  2290 
Steffy  J  W  Cambridge  City  Ind  Ind  3218 

Smith.  Andrew,  St.  Catharine's,  C.  W.  Buf.     3859 
Smith  Andrew  Wegee  0  Pbg.    2680 

Sterrett(3),  Rev.  Wm.,  Philadelphia..  Pha.  2342 
Stevens  C  S  Cleveland  Cle  2831 

Smith,A.J.,  Bangor  Theol.  Sem  Bos.    2765 
Smith,  Rev.  B.,  Muncie,  Ind  Ind.    3790 
Smith,  Rev.  C.  W.,  Connellsville,  Pa-.  Pbg.    2849 
Smith,  Rev.  D.,  Xoblesville,  Ind  lud.    3789 
Smith   Daniel  B    Oberlin  0   ...             Cle     2841 

Stevens,  Rev.  E.  J.,  Holdcrness,  N.  H.  Bos.  3377 
Stevens,  Henry  M.,  Blue  Hill,  Me  Bos.  3243 
Stevens,  Rev.  Henry  R.,  Guildhall,  Vt.  Bos.  3258 
Stevens,  W.  A.,  Granville,  Ohio  Cin.  1938 
Stevenson  Tno  B  Philadelphia  Pha  3562 

Smith(2),  Elihu,  Albany  Alb.    2692 
Smith,  Rev.  Elijah  J.,  Vicksburg  St.L.  1264 
Smith,  E.  Martin,  Meredith,  N.  Y  Pha.    3969 
Smith,  Rev.  G.  A.,  Rutland,  Wis.  Chi.     2103 
Smith,  Rev.  G.  Mure,  Rocky  Hill,  Ct.  Pha.    1778 
Smith,  Geo.  P.,  Philadelphia  Pha.    2461 
Smith.  Rev.  G.  S.,  Wayne,  Me  Bos.    1761 
Smith,  Rev.  H.,  Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y...  N.  Y.  1909 
Smith,  II.  A.,  Fiskiliva,  111  Chi.     3065 
Smith   II  P    Boston....                           Bos     1443 

Stevenson,  Rev.  J.M.,  D.D.,  New  York.  Pha.  3503 
Stewart,  Geo.  II.,  Waterford,  N.  Y  Pha.  2333 
Stinchfleld,  Rev.  R.  II,  Racine,  AVis...  Chi.  2»40 
Stiver,  Rev.  T.  S.,  Harmer,  Ohio.  Cin.  1955 
Stockwell,  A.,  M.D.,  El  Paso,  111  Peo.  3773 
Stockwell(2),Rev.G.S.,  Springfleld.Ms.  Bos.  1461 
Stoddard,  Rev.  H.  M.,  Evanston,  111..  Chi.  2102 
Stoddart,  Jno.  A.,  Philadelphia  Pha.  2634 
Storer,  Judge  Bellamy,  Cincinnati  Cin.  3905 

Smith,  J.  E.,  Sheffield,  Mass  Bos.    2705 
Smith,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Franklin,  Ind.  Ind.    1335 
Smith,  Rev.  J.  Hyatt,  Philadelphia...  Pha.    2205 
Smith,  Rev.  J.  I.,  Ontonagon,  Mich...  Pbg.    2188 
Smith.  J.  M.,  Baltimore  Bal.     2066 

Stowe,  Rev.  G.,  Oakville,  Mich  Det.  3411 
Stringer,  W.,  Boston  Wn.  2478 
Strong,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Chicago  Ind.  3795 
Strout,  Rev.  L.  D.,  Portland.  Bos.  3544 
Struthers  Jno  Philadelphia.  Pha.  2580 

Smith,  Hon.  J.  V.  C.,  M.D.,  New  York.  N.  Y.  1728 
Sinith(2),  Rev.  J.  W.,  D.D.,  Philad'a...  Pha.    1482 
Smith,  T.  Jefferson,  Salem,  N.  J  Pha.    2638 
Smith,  Wm.  A.,  Ticonderoga,  N.  Y  Pha.    3372 
Smock,  Jacob,  Acton  Ind  Ind.    1348 

Struthers,  Wm.,  Philadelphia  Pha.  2345 
Stuart  David,  Liverpool,  Eng.  Pha.  2341 
Stuart  (2),  Geo.  H.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.  1S67 
Stuart  Rev.  H.  G.,  Providence  Pha.  1806 
Stuart  Jos  C  Manchester  Eng  Pha.  2804 

Snow,  F.  H.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms.  Bos.    3170 
Snyder,  C.  C.,  Evanston,  111  Chi.    2014 
Snyder,  Jno.,  Lambertville,  N.  J  Pha.    2229 
Snyder,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Java,  N.  Y  Bnf.    3561 
Sower,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Crown  Point,  Ind..  lud.    1947 
Spargrove,  Rev.  G.  M.,  Texas,  Pa  Pbg.    1615 
Spces(3),  Rev.  G.  S.,  D.  D.,  Dayton,  0...  Cin.     1920 
Spence,  E.  A.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem....  Bos.    1782 
Spencer,  Rev.  D.,  Pt.  Pleasant,  Pa  Pha.   2731 
Spencer  (2),  Rev.  Dwight,  Brooklyn...  N.Y.  2394 
Spencer,  Rev.  F.  A.,  Perryville,  Ct....  Pha.    2023 
Spencer,  W.  H.,  Hamilton  College  Pha.    2878 
Spicer,  J.  B.,  New  York  Mills,  N.  Y...  Pha.    3159 
Spoor,  Rev.  0.  H.,  Vermontv'e,  Mich..  Cle.     3474 
Spragu.-,  Miss  Sarah  A.,  St.  Louis  St.  L.  3757 
Staley  (2),  Rev.  E.  H.,  Valparaiso,  Ind.  Ind.    2573 

Stubbs,Rev.  R.  S.,  E.  Salisbury,  Mass.  Bos.  2978 
Sturgis,  Jr.,  Russell,  Boston  Bos.  1795 
Sulger,  Wm.  S.,  Bristol,  Pa.  Pha.  2515 
Sumuiy,  0.  D.,  Washington  Wn.  2469 
Surall,  Rev.  E.,  Mercer,  Pa  Pbg.  1819 
Sutton,  Rev.  Jos.  S.,  Brighton.  Mich...  Det.  3412 
Suydam,  Rev.  J.  Howard,  Philad'a....  Pha.  2292 
Swaim,  Rev.  Jno.  S.,  Bloomfield.  X.  J.  N.  Y.  1401 
Swaim.  Rev.  M.  F.,  Newark,  N.  J  N.  Y.  1717 
Swaim,  Rev.  S.B.,D.D.,  Cambridge,  Ms.  Bos.  1696 
Swain,  H.  C..  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2121 
Swan,  A.  M.,  Washington  Wn.  2153 
Swanstrom,  Jno.  P.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  3457 
Swartz(2),  Rev.  C.  W.,  Marlboro',  0...  Pbg.  1818 
Sweezy  (2),  Orry  R.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  2986 
Syenberger,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Nashville,  O..  Cin.  3398 
Taft(2)  A  H  Nelson  N  H  Bos.  2456 

Centre  N   Y                                         Buf     1710 

Taggart  Jno  J  Pittsburg  Pbg.  2956 

Staples  Mark  Brooklyn                         Bkn    2981 

Tail  Rev.  T.  B.  Leon,  Ohio  Cle.  3277 

Starks,  G.  L.,  u.  D.,  Cleveland  Cin.     1960 

Talcott(2),  Jr.,  Wm.,  Jersey  Citv  Pha.  1500 

Starks,  Israel,  Rockport,  N.  Y  Pha.    2300 
Starr,  Rev.  L.  B.,  N.  Clarkstou,  N.  Y..  Buf.     3560 
Starrett,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Jefferson  co.,  Pa..  Pbg.    2870 
Start  Jos   Brooklyn                                Bkn    3336 

Taplin,  Rev.  C.  P.,  Worcester,  Vt  Bos.  3323 
Tarbell,  Chas.  D.,  Marlboro',  N.  H  Bos.  3886 
Tarbox,  Rev.  M.  H..  Amesbury  Mass..  Bos.  3169 
Tatlock  Rev  Jno  S  Adams  Mass...  Bos.  2588 

Stead  (2),  A.  J.,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y...  Bkn.   2125 
Stearns,  A.,  Jamaica  Plain,   Mass  Bos.    2762 
Stearns  (3),  J.  N.,  Williamsburg,  N.  Y.  Bku.   2403 
Stebbinn,  Henry  II.,  Brooklyn.  Bkn.   2987 
Steele,  Rev.  G.  M.,  Fitchbnrg,  Mass....  Bos.    3246 

Stfj>l(.    R»T   J   P     Alleo-hpnv    Pa              Pho-      1A27 

Taylor,  Rev.  Alfred,  Bristol  Pa  Pha.  3268 
Taylor,  Rev.  B.  P,  New  York.  N.  Y.  1716 
Taylor,  Charles,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  3327 
Taylor,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Claridon,  Ohio  Cle.  2832 
Taylor,  E.  E.,  Wilmington,  Del  Pha.  3422 
Tavlor  Geo.  C.  Brooklvu  Bkn.  2901 

628  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHKISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Taylor  (2),  Rev.  H.  B.,  Evans,  N.  Y  ... 

Pbg. 

1372 

Tompkins,  Rev.  Jno.,  Marcel  lus,N.  Y.  Pha. 

2877 

Taylor,  Henry  H.,  Albany  

Pha. 

2690 

Torigh,  Jr.,  Wm.,  Knoxville,  Tenn  

Cin. 

0896 

Taylor,  H.  J.,  New  Bedford,  Mass  

Pha. 

2422 

Torreuce(2),  H.  W.,  Rochester,  Pa..... 

Pha. 

2031 

Taylor,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Sweden,  N.  Y  

N.  Y. 

1715 

Torrey,  Rev.  D.,  B.B.,  Ithaca,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

1836 

Taylor,  J.  Miner,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

2754 

Torrey  (2),  Herbert  Grey,  Brooklyn.... 

Wn. 

2159 

Taylor,  Rev.  J.  Rice,  Tecumseh,  Mich. 

Pha. 

3524 

Torrey,  Rev.  0.,  McGrawville,  N.  Y... 

Pha. 

3153 

Taylor,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Madison,  Ind  

Cin. 

1739 

Tough,  Wm.,  Troy  

Try. 

2714 

Taylor,  Rev.  0.  S.,  Simsbury,  Ct  

Pha. 

2028 

Tousey,  Rev.  Thos.,  Palmyra,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3033 

Taylor,  Rev.  T.  E.,  Petaluma,  Cal  

N.Y. 

2651 

Townsend,  D.  H.,  Townsendville,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

3852 

Taylor,  Wm..  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

2434 

Townsend,  D.  W.,  Parnassus.  Pa  

Pbg. 

1601 

Taylor,  Rev.  W.  G.,  Beaver,  Pa.  

Pbg. 

2442 

Townsend  (2),  Rev.  G.  H.,  Fairfax,  Vt. 

Pha. 

2430 

Taylor,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Mt.  Jackson,  Pa. 

Pbg. 

1677 

Tozen,  Hiram,  Newburyport,  Mass  

Bos. 

3532 

Tearne,  Rev.  W.,  Covington,  Ky  

Cin. 

1937 

Tracy,  Daniel,  Brooklyn..  

Bkn. 

2133 

Teed  (2),  Rev.  David,  Marengo,  111  

Chi. 

2099 

Traver,  Rev.  Allen,  Hillsdale,  N.  Y.... 

Pha. 

2S44 

Teitsworth  Rev  W  P   Arkport  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

3227 

Treat  A  0    Boston  

Pha. 

2425 

Pha. 

3267 

Tremain,  S.  F.,  M.B.,  Rome,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3225 

Temple,  Rev.  C.  H.,  E.  Templcton,  Ms. 

Bos. 

3492 

Trimble,  Rev.  W.  J.,  Martinsburg,  0.. 

Cin. 

1312 

Ten  Broeck  (2),  Prof.  A.,  Ann  Arbor. 

Det. 

1224 

Tripp,  Rev.  R.  H.,  Hillsdale,  Mich  

Cin. 

3035 

Tenney,  Henry  M.,  Vineland,  N.  J  

Pha. 

3221 

Trull  Charles  Brooklyn 

Wn. 

2165 

Tenney,*Rev.S.W.,Norridgewock,Me. 

Pha. 

1972 

Wn. 

2147 

Terry,  Byron,  Norwich,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3262 

Tucker,  Rev.  G.  E.,  Durham,  Me  

Bos. 

1719 

Terry,  Rev.  D.,  M.B.,  Rome,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2734 

Tucker,  James  J.,  Boston  

Bos. 

3542 

Thacher,  R.  W.,  Albany  

Alb. 

3386 

Tucker,  Thomas  B.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

2802 

Thatcher,  Rev.  S.  T.,  Beverly,  Mass... 

N.Y 

1713 

Tucker,  W.  J.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem... 

Bos. 

1798 

Thayer,  Rev.  C.  C.,  Chicago  

Chi. 

3311 

Turner  Rev  E  B    Morris  111 

Chi. 

3062 

Thayt-r,  H.  C.,  South  Paris,  Me  

Bos. 

3259 

Turner,  J.  J.,  M.B.,  Levering,  Ohio  

Cin. 

3675 

Thayer,  Rev.  P.  B.,  Garland,  Me...  

Bos. 

3523 

Turner,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Newburg,  0  

Cle. 

2829 

Thayer.  Rev.  WAV.,  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt. 

Bos. 

3889 

Tuttle  E  N    Syracuse,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2295 

Thickston,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Minnesota  

Chi. 

2017 

Tuttle,  Rev.  J.  K.,  Waterloo,  N.  Y  

B.if. 

3855 

Thomas  (2),  Rev.  A.  G.,  Philadelphia.. 

Pha. 

2427 

Tuttle,  Rev.  W.  S.,  Leroy,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

2736 

Thomas,  Rev.  C.  F.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

2811 

Twombly,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Albany  

Pha. 

2349 

Thomas,  Chas.  H.,  New  York  

Pha. 

2233 

Tyler,  Henry,  Amherst,  Mass  

Bos. 

3105 

Thomas,  Rev.  Jos.  C.,  Chicago  

Cin. 

3400 

Tyrig,  Alex.  G.,  Peoria  

Peo. 

1691 

Thomas,  Ludlow,  Brooklyn  

Bku. 

2400 

Tyson,  Robert,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

2064 

Thomas,  Rich.  N.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

2790 

Ure,  Rev.  David  M.,  Argyle,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

1733 

Thomas,  Rev.  S.  W.,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

2200 

Van  Allen(2),J.,Sackett's  Harbor,N.Y.  Pha. 

2673 

Thomas,  Rev.  W.  V.,  Waynesfield,  0... 

Cin. 

1320 

Van  Bewren,  Edmund  R.,  Brooklyn- 

Bkn. 

2908 

Thompson,  Alex.  S.,  Penna  

Wn. 

2474 

Van  Buren,  H.,  Chicago  

Chi. 

2018 

Thompson,  Henry  R.,  Boston  

Pha. 

2385 

Van    Santvoord,    Rev.    Staats,    New 

Thompson,  Rev.  Josiah,  Clinton,  Pa... 

Pbg. 

1678 

Baltimore  N  Y 

Pha. 

2592 

Thompson,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Fitchville,  0... 

Wn. 

2471 

Van  Wagenen,  Wm.  M.,  New  Bruns- 

Thompson, Rev.  J.  J.,  Hamilton,  0... 

Cin. 

1757 

wick  Theol.  Sem.,  N.  J  

Pha. 

2259 

Thompson,  Rev.  J.  P.,  D.  D.,  New  York. 

Pha. 

2026 

Vincent,  Rev.  Marvin  R.,  Troy  

N.Y. 

2331 

Thompson  (3),  Rev.  0.  C.,  Detroit  

Det. 

1843 

Valentine,  N.,  Mechanics  Falls,  Me... 

Bos. 

3823 

Thompson,  Jr.,  0.  C.,  Detroit  

Det. 

2962 

Vossburg,  Jno.,  Albany  

Alb. 

2691 

Thornton,  Albert  H.,  Niagara  CO.,  N.Y. 

Bnf. 

1857 

Votey.  Rev.  Chas.  A.,  Phelps,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3518 

Throckston,  Rev.  T.  T.,  Hastings,  Min. 

St.  P 

1354 

Vrooman,  Rev.  J.,  Victory  Mills,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

3341 

Thurston,  Ebenezer,  Utica  

Uta. 

2711 

Vrooman,  J.  P.,  Palmyra,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3139 

Thurston,Rev.  J.R.,  Newburyport,Ms. 

Bos. 

2451 

Wade  (2),  M.  E.,  N.  Hope,  Pa  

Cin. 

1754 

Tibbetts,  D.  W.,  Brunswick,  Me  

Bos. 

2312 

Waddle,  Rev.  Benj.,  Kenton,  Ohio..... 

Pbg. 

1672 

Tibbetts,  Rev.  Jno.,  Hamilton,  Mass... 

Bos. 

2659 

Wait,  Thos.,  Springfield,  Mass  

Pha. 

3134 

Tiffany,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Charlton,  N.  Y... 

Pha. 

3624 

Wakeman,  Rev.  Joel,  Almond,  N.  Y... 

Pha. 

3972 

Tinker,  Rev.  Ezra,  Dundee,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

3111 

Wakeman  (2),  R.,  Port  Deposit,  Md... 

Bal. 

2070 

Tinker,  Rev.  J.  E.,  Willoughby,  0  

Cle. 

3278 

Walcott,  W.  S.,  New  York  Mills,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

2516 

Tisdale(2),  Rev.  W.L.,  Little  Falls.N.Y. 

Pha. 

1479 

Walker^Aaron,  Lowell  

Bos. 

3570 

Tobey  (2),  E.  S.,  Boston 

Bos. 

1JA1 

Walker  Rev  Chas  B   Liverpool  N  Y. 

N.  Y. 

3700 

Toles,  Rev.  R.  G.,  New  York  

N.  Y.  1712 

Walker,  Hon.  E.  C.,  Detroit  

Det. 

1844 

Tolhurst,  Rev.  Fred.,  Cleveland  

Cle. 

2506 

Walker,  H.  F.,  Portland  

Pha. 

2740 

Tothpkins  (2),  James,  Galesburg,  111... 

Peo. 

2949     Walker,  Rev.  Joshua,  Tyrone,  Pa  

Pha. 

3223 

LIST   OF   DELEGATES. 1864. 


629 


Walker,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Philadelphia Pha.    2939 

Walkinshaw,Rev.J.D.,  Manor  Dale,Pa.  Pbg.    2004 
Wallace.  Rev.  C.W.,  Manchester,  N.  H.  Bos.     2455 

Walter,  Rev.  R.,  Maquon,  111 Peo.    3768 

Walters,  Wilnier  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.    3394 

Ward,  Rev.  B.  C.,  St.  Charles,  111 Chi.     2550 

Ward,  Elton,  Fredonia,  N.  Y Buf.    3126 

Ward,*  Fletcher,  New  Salem,  N.  Y....  Pha.    3362 

Ward,  Geo.  S.,  M.D.,  Newark Pha.    2210 

Ward,  Rev.  .Tno.  C.,  Frankfort,  N.  Y...  Pha.    2732 

Ward,  Jos.,  Pawtucket,  R.  I Bog.    3020 

Ward,  Rev.  M.  L.,  Newark Pha.    2789 

Warner,  Rov.  II.,  Fairfax,  Vt Pha.    3522 

Warner,  Rev.  P.,  Brimfield,  111 Peo.    3868 

Warren,  Rev.  II.  W.,  Westfleld,  Mass.  Bos.     3617 

Warren,  Rev.  Israel  P.,  Boston Bos.     2563 

Warren,  Thos.  J.  C.,  Brooklyn .'  Bkn.  3832 

Waters,  Asa  A St.  L.  1267 

Watkins,  II.  J.,  Peuna.  Col.,  Gettysb'g.  Pha.    1847 

Watkins,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Brooklyn N.  Y.  1403 

W.atrous,  Rev.  C.  P.,  Covington,  Pa...  Pha.    3265 
Watson,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Concord,  N.  H....  N.  Y.  1494 

Waugh,  Wm.  B.,  Baltimore Bal.     2074 

Waysar,  Geo.  W.,  Baltimore Bal.     2076 

Weaver,  Rev.  F.  A.,  Memphis St.  L.  1265 

Webster,  Rev.  J.,  Eagle  Point,  III Cin.     1738 

Weed,  Rev.  Edwin,  Cornwall,  N.  Y....  N.  Y.  3573 
Weeks,  Rev.  Jos.  D.,  Claremont,  N.  II.  Bos.     2241 

Welch,  Rev.  Moses  C.,  Hartford liar.    3621 

Wellar,  August,  Newcastle,  Pa Pbg.    1368 

Wells,  E.  T.,  Delaware,  0 Cin.     1913 

Wells,  Rev.  M.  8.,  Greene,  N.  Y Pha.    3270 

Wells,  Rev. R.,  D.  D., Fultonsville,  N.Y.  Alb.    2695 

Wells  (2),  Rev.  Shepherd,  St.  Louis Pha.    1385 

Welpsley,  M.  D.,  Oxford,  0 Cin.    1293 

West,  Jno.  H.,  Brooklyn Pha.   3007 

Westervelt,  Rev.W.  E.,  Burlington,  lo.  Chi.     1422 

Westgate,  II.  8.,  Mass Wn.     2484 

Westlake,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Binghamton.  Pha.    3109 

Weston,  Rev.  D.,  Worcester Bos.     2242 

West<  MI,  Rev.  H.  G.,  D.D.,  New  York..  N.  Y.  1493 
Westwood,  Rev.  Henry  C.,  Silicon's 

Mills,  Md Bal.     2073 

Wheeler,  Rev.  II.,  Wilkesbarre,  Pa...  Pha.    2432 

Whilldin,  Alex.,  Philadelphia Pha.    1664 

Whitaker,  N.  F.,  Middlotown,  Ct Pirn.    3085 

White,  Rev.  A.,Granby,  Ct liar.    3845 

Whitehill,  Jas.,  St.  Clair,  0 Cin.     1917 

Whitin,  L.  S.,  Whitinsville,  Mass Bos.     3378 

Whitin,  W.  II.,  Whitinsville,  Mass Wn.      987 

Whitney,  Rev.  Nelson,  Sobec,  Me Bos.     3207 

Whitlock,  Prof.  W.  F.,  Delaware,  0...  Cin.     1927 

Whitney,  B.  S.,  Troy Pha.    2285 

Whitney.  Henry  M.,  New  Haven,  Ct.  Pha.    2743 
Wliittenberger,  Rev.  J.,  Akron,  Ind...  Ind.    3793 

Whit  tier,  Rev.  C.,  Denny.sville,  Me Bos.     3374 

Whittii-r,  Kdw.  A.,  Newton,  N.  H Pha.    1898 

Wliittier,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Plain  Grove,  Pa.  Pbg.    3479 
Wicks,  Edw.  B.,  Clinton,  N.  Y Pha.    2995 


Widmer,  Rev.  F.,  Jonesville,  N.  Y Pha.    3365 

Wilcox,  Rev.  A.  J.,  Boston,  N.  Y Buf.     3123 

Wild,  Rev.  E.  P..  Brookfleld,  Vt Bos.     3248 

Wilder,  Rev.  Wm.,  Chester,  Pa Pha.    2116 

Wilkin,  J.  S.,  M.D.,  Middleport,  N.  Y..  Buf.     3130 

Willard,  Rev.  A.  F.,  Brooklyn N.  Y.  1407 

Willey,  A.  F.,  Vicksburg St.  L.  1702 

WilIiams,(2)Rev.E.F.,Whitinsv'o,Ms.  Bos.    2561 

Williams,  E.  M.,  New  Haven,  Ct Pha.    2742 

Williams,  E.  M.,  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y..  N.  Y.  3696 
Williams,  Rev.  F.  F.,  Kennebunk,  Me.  Bos.  3655 

Williams,  Geo.  N.,  Palmyra,  N.  Y Buf.     3124 

Williams,  Geo.  W.,  Washington Wn.     2476 

Williams,  Rev.  H.  G.,  Woodbury,  N.  J.  Pha.    3722 

Williams,  Jno.,  Utica Ufa.    2709 

Williams,  J.  K.,  Charlotte,  Vt Bos.     2701 

Williams,  Rev.  J.R.,Bloomingdale,0.  Pbg.  3731 
Williams,  W.  G.,  Northampton,  Ms....  Pha.  3240 
Willonghby,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Verona,  N.Y.  Pha.  2532 
Williamson,  Rev.J.A.,.Tohnstown,N.Y.  Pha.  3962 
Williamson,  Rev.  McK..  Greenfield,  O.  Pha.  2803 

Willing,  Rev.  M.  E.,  New  York N.  Y.  1406 

Wilson,  A.  L.,  Princeton  Theol.  Seni..  Pha.  2048 
Wilson,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Haddonfield,  N.  J.  Pha.  2847 
Wilson,  Rev.  G.  C.,  Winterport,  Me....  Bos.  3525 

Wilson,  Henry  R.,  Princeton,  N.  J Pha.    3964 

Wilson,  Jno.,  M.  D.,  Albany Pha.    2086 

Wilson,  Rev.  R.  W.,  Bloomingbnrg,  0.  Pha.    2535 

Winans.  Geo.  E.  A.,  M.  D.,  Canada Wn.     2475 

Winne,  Nicholas,  Brooklyn Bkn.   3581 

Winslow,  F.  W.,  Andover  Theol.  Sern.  Bos.  3168 
Wishard,  Rev.  S.  E.,  Tecumseh,  Mich.  Det.  2999 
AVohlgemuth,  Rev.  W.,  Savona,  N.  Y.  Buf.  3694 

Wolff,  Rev.  B.  F.,  Pittsburg N.  Y.  1405 

Wolff,  Rev.  D.  W.,  Meyerstown,  Pa...  Bal.     3447 

Wood,  Rev.  A.,  Meriden,  N.  H Bos.     3009 

Wood,  Rev.  A.  J.,  Lanark,  111 Chi 

Wood,  Frank  A.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   2137 

Wood,  Rev.  Jno.,  Eddington,  Pa Pha.    2248 

Wood,  Rev.  L.  L.,  Burlington.  Vt Bos.     3250 

Woodford,  Jno.  B.,  Windsor,  Ct liar.    3203 

Woodruff,  Rev.  E.,  Butler,  Pa I'bg.    1628 

Woodruff,  Rev.  Geo.  W..  Brooklyn Bkn.   3456 

Woods,  F.  W.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  2398 

Woods,  Rev.  Geo.  C.,  Lysander,  N.  Y.  Pha.    2249 

Woods,  Thos.  W.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   2752 

Woodworth,  A.  8.,  Boston Pha.    2354 

Worden,  Jas.  A.,  Xenia,  0 Pha.    2030 

Wortman,  Kev.  Denis,  Philadelphia...  Pha.  2635 
Wright,  A.  H.,  Biuigor  Tlieol.  Sem....  1!<>S.  2912 

Wright,  Henj.  II..  Philadelphia Pirn.    1099 

Wright,  J.  K.,  An.lover.  The..].  Sem....   Ho*.     1796 

Wright.  Saml..  Brooklyn Bkn.    2903 

Wright,  Silas  P.,  M.  D.,  Troy Pha,    2500 

Wright,  Rov.  Wm.,  I'ottst.iwn.  Pit Pha.    14WJ 

Wycknff.  Rev.  J.  D.,  Elmwood.  Ill IV...     2942 

Wyeth,  Rev.  W.  Y..  New  Way.  O ('in.     1918 

Yraton,  G.  C.,  S.  Berwick.  Me Bos.     2562 

Young  (2),  Robt.  A.,  Coatesville,  Pa...  Pha.    3721 


630 


ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 


Young,  Rev.  R.  P.,  Haddonfield,  N.  J..  Pha.    1970 


Young,  Stephen  B.,  Brooklyn.. 


Bkn.  2405 


Young,  Rev.  Wm.,  Findlay,  0 Cin.    1742 


Zantzinger,  Alf.,  M.D.,  Philadelphia...  Pha.    2626 

Zeigler,  E.,  Baltimore Bal.     2062 

Zimmerman,  Rev.  J.,  Floyd,  N.  Y Wn.    2473 


COMMISSIONED    IN    1865. 


Abbott,  Rev.  J.  S.  C.,  New  Haven,  Ct.  Pha. 

4737 

Barrett,  L.  G.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem... 

Bos. 

4171 

Abbott,  Mrs.  J.  S.  C.,  New  Haven,  Ct. 

Pha. 

4738 

Barrett,  Jno.  P.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem. 

Bos. 

4172 

Adams,  Rev.  R.,  Port  Republic,  N.  J.. 

Pha. 

4143 

Baron,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Woodstock,  Vt  

Bos. 

5039 

Adams,  Rev.  S..  Fort  Howard,  Wis..... 

Mil. 

4720 

Barrows,  Rev.  Prof.  E.  P.,  D.D.,  Ando- 

Adams, Rev.  Wm.,  ».  D.,  New  York.... 

Pha. 

4690 

ver  Theol.  Sem.,  Mass  

Bos. 

4513 

Adamson,  W.  A.,  New  York  

Pha. 

4799 

Bartels,  Rev.  .Inc.,  Camden  Mills,  111. 

Peo. 

3591 

Aikeu  Miss  Lizzie  

Pno. 

4338 

Bartlett,  E.  N.,  Anderson,  N.  Y  

Bkn. 

3835 

Alabaster,  Rev.  J.,  Havana,  N.  Y  

Buf. 

4538 

Bartlett,  Rev.  L.,  Morrisville,  Vt  

Bos. 

4247 

Albright,  Rev.  s!  L.,  Toledo,  0  

Ciu. 

4411 

Bartlett,    .Theodore,     Northampton, 

Aldrich,  Rev.  Justus.  Wales,  Mass  

Bos. 

4895 

Massachusetts  

Bos. 

4494 

Allen,  Albert,  Providence  '.  

Pha. 

4758 

Barton,  Rev.  Henry  B.,  Brooklyn  

N.  Y.  3951 

Allen  (2),  Rev.  A.  M.,  Forestville,  Ct. 

Har. 

4082 

Bass,  Rev.  J.  G.  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

4066 

Allen,  F.  B.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms. 

Bos. 

4516 

Basten,  Wm.  F.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y  

Uta. 

4377 

Allen,  Rev.  J.  J.,  Depauville,  N.  Y.... 

Uta. 

4376 

Bayne,  W.  II.,  Salem,  Ohio  

Pha. 

4433 

Allen,  Rev.  J.  R.,  Evanston,  111  

Chi. 

4726 

Beach,  E.  Darwin,  Battle  Creek,  Mich. 

Det. 

3977 

Allen,  Sanil.  F.,  Providence  

Pha. 

4795 

Beals,  F.  A.,  Northampton,  Mass  

Bos. 

4395 

Allison,  Rev.  J.,  Buffalo 

Buf. 

4810 

Beam,  Cyrus  B.,  M.D.,  Dover,  N.  H  

Wn. 

4787 

Animons,  M.  W.,  Monroe,  0  

Pha. 

4927 

Beatty,  C.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

4065 

Anderson,Rev.A.,N.W.Bridgwater,Ms. 

Bos. 

4705 

Beatty,  Rev.  Robert,  Rockford,  111.... 

Chi. 

Anderson,  Rev.  S.,  Mt.  Lebanon,  Pa... 

Pbg. 

4045 

Beaumont,  J.  G  

St.  P 

2195 

Andrews  (2),  Elijah,  Housatonic,  Ms.. 

Har. 

4300 

Beebee,  Rev.  A.G.,  Manitowoc,  Wis... 

Mil. 

4997 

Angler,  Rev.  M.  B.,  Sturbridge,  Ms... 

Bos. 

4402 

Belden,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Woousocket,  R.  I. 

Bos. 

5022 

Armstrong,  Rev.  P.  C.,  Boston  

Bos. 

4029 

Benham,  Rev.  W.  R.,  Auburn,  N.  Y... 

Buf. 

4212 

Arnold,  W.  A,  Philadelphia  

Pha. 

4747 

Bennett,  B.  P.,  Lebanon,  Ohio  

Cin. 

4998 

Ashvvorth,  Jno.  P.,  Vineland,  N.  J..... 

Pha. 

4217 

Benson,  C.  H.,  Chicago  

Pha. 

3805 

Atkinson,  Rev.  G.  H.,  Portland,  Oreg. 

.Pha. 

5062 

Bigelow,  Geo.  W.,  Framingham,  Mass. 

Bos. 

4036 

Attwood,  Warren,  Willimantic.Ct.... 

Har. 

3850 

Bigelow,  Otis,  Baldwinsville,  N.  Y  

Uta. 

4000 

Atwater,  W.  0.,  Middletown,  Ct  

Har. 

4313 

Bissell,  Rev.  C.  H.,  Poquonnock,  Ct... 

N.Y. 

4870 

Austin,  Henry  R.,  Monroe,  Mich  

Det. 

4280 

Blackburn,  Rev.  M.  S.,   Hammonds- 

Austin,  Rev.  S.  J.,  Oxford,  Maes  

Bos. 

4821 

ville,  Ohio  

Pbg. 

4053 

Axtell,  S.  J.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem  

BOB. 

4106 

Blair,  Rev.  W.  H.,  Ccntreville,  Mich.. 

Det. 

3614 

Ayer,  Rev.  F.  D.,  Milford,  N.  H  

Bos. 

5056 

Blake,  Rev.  S.  A.,  W.  Halifax,  Vt  

Bos. 

4508 

Ayers,  Miss  M.  D.,  Chicago  

Chi. 

4118 

Boavdman,  Rev.  S.  W.,  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

4689 

Bachiles,  Rev.  Jno  

Peo. 

3886 

Bogue,  H.  P.  V.,  New  York  

Pha. 

4579 

Bachus,  Rev.  Jas.  W.,  Lowell  

Bos. 

4887 

Bolles,  Rev.  S  

St.  P. 

2194 

Badgley,  Rev.O.,  Bowmansville,  N.  Y. 

Buf. 

4539 

Bonuey,  J.  W.,  Farmington,  Me  

Bos. 

4715 

Bailey,  Frank,  Gorham,  Me  

Bos. 

4713 

Booth,  Wm.  C.,  Brooklyn  

Bkn. 

4435 

Bailey,  I.  P.,  Auburn,  N.  Y  

Uta. 

4002 

Bower,  Rev.  A.,  Wenona,  111  

Peo. 

3770 

Bailey^Rev.  J.  A.,  Schuylerville.Pa... 

Pbg. 

4046 

Bowler,  Rev.  S.  L.,  Orono,  Me  

Bos. 

4100 

Baker,  *Rev.  Jno.  E.,  Greenwich,  N.  Y. 

Pha. 

4596 

Boyd,  J.  F.,  Connellsville,  Pa  

Pbg. 

3358 

Baker,  Prof.  J.  R.,  Collamer,  Pa  

Pha. 

4043 

Boyd,  Rev.  R.  B.,  Harrisville,  Pa  

Pbg. 

4057 

Ball,  Rev.  F.,  Wheeling  

Pbg. 

4650 

Brackett,  N.  C.,  Phillips,  Me  

Bos. 

4697 

Bancroft,  Rev.  Geo.  C.,  Leicester,  Vt.. 

Bos. 

4881 

Bradley,  Frank  H.,  New  Haven,  Ct... 

Pha. 

4360 

Bangs(2),  C.  C.,  Clinton,  N.  Y  

Uta. 

3781 

Bradley,  Hiram,  Hartwick,  N.  Y  

Pha. 

4600 

Barber,  Gaylord,  Barkhampstead,  Ct.. 

Pha. 

4042 

Bradley,  Rev.  Wm.,  Webster,  N.  Y  

Buf. 

4545 

Barclay,  Rev.  H.  A.,  Davenport,  Iowa. 

Chi. 

4270 

Brayton,  J.  McK.,  Westernville,  N.  Y. 

Uta. 

4372 

Barclay,  Jas.,  Hoffman's  Ferry,  N.  Y.. 

Pha. 

4372 

Breckbill,  H.  E.,  Boiling  Springs,  Pa.. 

Hbg. 

4905 

Barkdull,  Rev.  T.  N.,  Perrysburg,  0... 

Cin. 

4415 

Briant,  Rev.  S.,  Ingersoll,  N.  Y  

N.Y. 

4489 

Baker,  Rev.  A.  J.:  Somerset  Mills,  Me. 

Bos. 

3876 

Briggs,  Rev.  T.  P.,  Whittingham,  Vt. 

Bos. 

4246 

Barker(2),  Thomas,  Albany  

Alb. 

3385 

Brigham,  Rev.  Alf.,  Kirkwood,  N.  Y.. 

Pha. 

4387 

Barnes,  Rev.  D.  F.,  Attica,  Ind  

Ind. 

4473 

Bristol,  Edw.,  Buffalo  

Buf. 

3991 

Barnes,  Rev.  W.  A.,  Baltimore  

Bal. 

4980 

Brouson,Rev.J.J.,  D.D.,  Washingon,Pa. 

Pbg. 

4049 

LIST   OF   DELEGATES. — 1865. 


631 


Brooks,  Rev.  C.  W.,  Neevah,  Wis Mil.     4626 

Brown,  A..  Cleveland Cle.     3932 

Brown,  Charles,  Shirley  Centre,  Mass.  Bos.     4407 

Brown  (2),  Rev.  R.,  Oswego,  111 Chi.     4556 

Brown,  Rev.  Sewall,  E.  Winthrop,  Me.  Bos.    4227 

Brown,  Rev.  S.E.,  Herkimer,  N.  Y Pha.    4796 

Brown,  Rev.  Wm.  N.,  Lisbon,  Iowa...  St.  L.  4119 
Bryant,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Lisbon,  N.  H...  N.  Y.  4159 
Buchanan,  Rev.  W.  II.,  Elverston,  111.  Peo.  3585 
Buckles,  Rev.  L.  C.,  Rockville,  Ind....  Ind.  4470 

Buddington.W.G.,  Brooklyn Bkn.    4808 

Buell,  Rev.  Fredk.,  San  Francisco N.  Y.  4866 

Bullard,  Rev.  Asa,  Boston Bos.     4238 

Bullard,  Rev.  Henry,  Wayland,  Mass.  Bos.  4241 
Bullfinch,  Rev.  J.  J.,  Newcastle,  Me...  Bos:  4828 

Bullock,  Isaac,  New  York Wn.    4789 

Bunker,  A.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem Bos.    4087 

Burgess,  H.  H.,  Portland Pha.    4253 

Burkle,  Wm.,  Babylon,  N.  Y N.  Y.  4569 

Burnell,  Miss  M.  E.,  Milwaukee St.  L.  4135 

Burns,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Oxford,  Ohio Cin.     4412 

Burns,  Rev.  W.  S.,  Lockington,  Ohio..  Cin.     4007 

Burr,  Rev.  J.  T.,  Gambier,  Ohio Cin.     4416 

Burton,  (2)  Frank  E.,  Boston Bos.    4103 

Bushnell,  Rev.  E..  Fremont,  Ohio Cle.     3927 

Butler,  Chas.  S.,  Boston Pha.    5088 

Byington,  Geo.  P.,  New  York N.  Y.  4683 

Cain,  Stephen,  E.  Weymonth,  Mass...  Bos.  4024 
Calhoun,  Johnston,  Hookstown,  Pa...  Pbg.  3359 

Calking,  L.  W.,  Mason,  Mich Det.     4190 

Calkins,  Rev.  Wolcott,  Philadelphia...  Pha.    4354 

Callie,  Rev.  J.,  Delavan,  Wis Mil.    4320 

Campbell.  A.  M N.  Y.  4877 

Campbell,  Rev.  D.  R.,  St.  Clairsville.O.  Pbg.    4836 

Campbell,  R.  E.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich Det.    4187 

Campbell,  W.  W..  Bnsti,  N.  Y Buf.    4211 

Capen,  Rev.  Jno.,  S.  Wilbraham,  Mass.  Bos.  3880 
Caplin,Rev.W.M.,  Eaton  Rapids,Mich.  Det.  4201 
Capwell,  Franklin  W.,  Linden,  N.  Y...  Buf.  4208 
Carpenter,  Rev.  Geo.,  Middleboro',  Ms.  Bos.  4392 
Carpenter,  Willard  D.,  Yonkers,  N.  Y.  Pha.  4366 

Carroll,  George  K.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   4451 

Carruthers,  Rev.  Jno.,  Indiana  co.,  Pa.  Pbg.    4059 

Carver,  Rev.  S.,  Pitcher,  N.  Y Pha.    4352 

Caswell,  E.  W.,  Ilion,  N.  Y Pha.    4797 

Chamberlain,  A.  E.,  Cincinnati Cin.    3910 

Chamberlain,  Chas.  W.,  Providence...  Pha.  4760 
Chamberlain,J.D.,S.Framingham,Ms.  Bos.  4096 
Chamberlayne,Rev.O.S.,Portv'le,N.Y.  Buf.  4542 

Chandler,  Rev.  A.,  Strafford,  Vt Bos.     4501 

Chapen,  H.  B.,  Chicago Chi 

Chaplin,  Heman  W.,  Newton,  Mass..  Bos.  4152 
Chase,  C.  T.,  American  Union  Com'n.  Wn.  4786 

Chase,  G.  S.,  Chester,  Mass Bos.    4510 

Chase,  Rev.  H.  L.,  N.  Carver,  Mass....  Bos.    4707 

Chase,  J.  D.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4445 

Chase,  L.  G.,  London,  N.  H Bos.    4097 

Cheney,  Rev.  0.  B..  D.D.,  Lewiston,  Me.  Bos.  4716 
Christ,  Rev.  Benj.,  Millersville,  Pa Pha.  4039 


Church,  Rev.  P.,  D.D.,  New  York Pha.   4614 

Churchill,J.R.,NewtonLowerFalls,Ms.  Bos.  4027 
Clapp,  Herbert  C.,  Cambridge,  Mass..  Bos.  4153 
Clark,  Rev.  Bishop  D.  W.,  Cincinnati..  Cin.  4004 
Clark,  Rev.  Ira  D.,  Northampton,  Ms.  Bos.  5018 
Clark(2),  Rev.  Jas.  B  ,  Yarmouth,  Ms.  Bos.  4495 

Clark,  Jno.  M.,  Green  Oak,  Mich Det.    3611 

Clarke,  J.  M.,  Baltimore Bal.     4979 

Clarke,  Miss  Kate,  Chicago Chi.     3078 

Clougn,  A.  B.,  Dansville,  Michigan....  Det.    4200 

Coburn,  E.  P.,  Harrisburg Pha.    4962 

Cochran,  A.  B.,  M.D.,  Stnrgis,  Mich N.  Y.  4858 

Coffin,  Wm.  J.,  Brooklyn Bkn.    4434 

Colburn(2),  Robert,  Albany Alb.    3384 

Cole,  Moses St.  P.  2598 

Coleman,  Rev.  Jas.  W.,  Darien,  Ct Bkn.  4070 

Coleman,  Jno.  A.,  Providence Pha.   4753 

Coleman,  Rev.  Thos.  K.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4775 

Coleman,  Wm.  W.,  Providence Pha.    4754 

Colton,  H.  V.,  Antwerp,  N.  Y Uta.    3994 

Cook,  C.  B.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich Det.     3982 

Cook,  Rev.  S.,  McCutcheonville,  0.....  Cin.     4017 

Cooley,  Rev.  D.  H.,  Appleton,  Wis Mil.     4719 

Cooley,  Rey.  W.  C Peo.     3872 

Cooper,  Rev.  D.  C.,  Cedarville,  0 Cin.     4414 

Cooper,  Henry,  New  York Pha.    4574 

Cooper,  Rev.  J.  H.,  Ref.  Pres.  Theol. 

Sem.,  Philadelphia Pha.    4358 

Copp,  J.  M.,  M.  D.,  Portville,  N.  Y Buf.     4543 

Corwin,  C.  C.,  Monmouth,  111 Peo.    3587 

Coult,  Rev.  A.  C.,  Marlboro',  N.  H Bos.     4033 

Cowing,  Jas.  R.,  Brooklyn Pha.    4SOI 

Cowles,  E.  S.,  Coventry,  Vt Bos.     4S24 

Cowley,  Rev.  O.  W.,  Henry,  111 Peo.    4339 

Crafts.  Kcv.F.  A.,  N.  Bridgewater,  Ms.  Bos.     4698 

Cragin,  H.  B.,  Chicago Chi.     4255 

Craighead,  Rev.  J.  G.,  New  York N.  Y.  4856 

Crane,  Rev.  A.  R.,  Hallowell,  Me Bos.     4518 

Crane,  Rev.  E.  N.,  New  York N.  Y.  4869 

Crane,  Rev.  J.,  Middletown,  N.  Y N.  Y.  3952 

Crane,  Rev.  T.  F.,  Roseville,  N.  J Wn.     4785 

Crum,  Rev.  Wm.,  Harlem,  N.  Y Pha.    4695 

Crumb,  Rev.  J.H.,Traverse  City,  Mich.  Det.  39S3 
Cull,  Rev.  Alex.  Henry,  Franklin,  Vt.  Pha.  4428 
Cummings,Rev.S.S.,W.Thompson,Ct.  liar.  4083 
Curridi-n,  Rev.  D.  D.,  Hagerstown,  Md.  I'lia.  4024 

Curtis,  Rev.  Lucius,  Colchester,  Ct liar.    4307 

Cutler.  Rev.  E.,  Conway,  Mass Bos.     4520 

Cyr,  Rev.  Narcisse,  Philadelphia Pha.    5095 

Daily,  Rev.  D..  Goshen,  0 Cin.     4417 

Daley  (2)  Rev.  Jas.  A.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   4443 

Damon,  Rev.  A.,  Hartwick,  N.  Y Pha.    4601 

Danforth,*  Rev.  A.  H.,  Milestown,  Pa.  Pha.    4371 

Kiir.lK  Francis,  Philadelphia Pha.    4740 

Davies,  Rev.  E.  L.,  Battle  Creek,  Mich.  Det.     4196 

Davis.  D.  J.,  Utlca Uta.    3782 

Davis,  Jno.  M.,  Portsmouth,  N.  H Bog.     4037 

Davis,  Rev.  T.  D.,  Parkncyville,  111....  St.  L.  3764 
Davy,  Jos.  M.,  Hartford Har.  4084 


632 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Day,  Rev.  H.  M.,  Upper  Alton,  111 St.  L.  4939 

Deiin,  Benj.  A.,  Shrewsbury,  Mass. Pha.    4572 

Dean,  Hiram  S.,  Milton,  Ct Har.    3848 

Dean,  Rev.  Nelson,  Sandwich,  111 Chi.     3081 

DeForest,  Jr.,  M.,  M.D.,  Middlebury,  Ct.  Har.    3847 

Delano,  Rev.  Sanil.,  Stratford,  Vt Bos.    4028 

Demond,  (5)  Clias.,  Boston Bos.    3883 

Dennis,  I.  S.,  Newark Pha.    4688 

DeWitt,  Rev.  A.,  Hoosic  Falls,  N.  Y...  Pha.    4361 

Diamond,  W.,  New  York Pha.    4353 

Dickeman,  Rev.  G.  A.,  Seymour,  Ct...  Har.  4314 
Dicker-man,  Rev.  I,.,  Weymouth,  Ms..  Bos.  4249 
Dinsuiore,  Rev.  A.  A.,  Neevah,  Wis...  Mil.  4528 
Dinsmore,  Rev.  C.  M.,  Newport,  N.  H.  Bos.  5069 
Dinsmore,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Prairie  du  Sac, 

Wis Mil.     431T 

Dinsmore(2),W.H.,  Silver  Springs,  Pa.  Hbg.  3508 
Dodge,  Austin,  Newburyport,  Mass...  Bos.  4228 

Doe,  Rev.  F.  B.,  Appleton,  Wis Mil.     4718 

Donaldson,  Rev.  I.  W.,  Blissfield,  Mich.  Det.     4186 

Doolittle,  Rev.  W.  A.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4448 

Dougherty,  Jas.  G.,  Providence Pha.    4757 

Dow,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Portsmouth,  N.  H..  Bos.  4388 
Downey,  Rev.  G.  D.,  Sinclairsv'e,  N.Y.  N.  Y.  4488 

'  Downs,  C.  G.,  New  York Pha.    5054 

Drew,  J.  G.,  Lewistown,  Me Bos.    4532 

Drury,  Jas.  B.,  W.  Boylston,  Mass Bos.    4023 

Drydeu,  J.  L.,  Monmouth,  111 Peo.    3863 

Dudley,  Rev.  J.  L.,  Middletown,  Ct....  Har.    4306 

Dukes,  Jas.  M.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4806 

Dunbar,  Chas.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4447 

Duncan,  R.  L.,  Sunbeam,  111 Peo.     4332 

Durborrow,  Rev.  Saml.,  Philadelphia.  Pha.    4154 

Duryea,  Rev.  Jos.  T.,  New  York N.Y.  4383 

Dutton,  Rev.  A.  I.,  Shirley,  Mass Bos.    4396 

Dutton,  Horace,  Auburndale,  Mass...  Bos.     4509 

Duy,  C.  M.,  Upper  Alton,  111 St.  L.  4933 

Dwight,  Rev.  Jas.  H.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4442 

Dyer,  H.  F.,  Buffalo Pha.    5093 

Eaton,  Edw.  D.,  Lancaster,  Wis Mil.     4466 

Edden,  Rev.  Jos.,  Centreville,  N.  Y...  Buf.  3688 
Eddy,  Rev.  C.,  White's  Corner,  N.  Y..  Buf.  4540 
Eddy,  Rev.  Z.,  B.C.,  Northampton,  Ms.  Bos.  4391 

Eddy(2),  Rev.  II.,  W.  Winstead,  Ct Bos.    4503 

Edmunds.  Rev.  E.,  Boston Bos.     5072 

Edwards,  Rev.  H.  B.,  Norwich,  0 Cin.     5008 

Eggleston,  Rev.N.H.,  Stockbridge,  Ms.  Bos.     4823 

Ellet,  Wm.  T.,  Worcester Bos.     5065 

Elwood,  J.  M.,  Middletown,  Ct Har.    4302 

Ensign,  Chas.  L.,  Canaan,  Ct Har.    4075 

Ensign,  Mrs.  F.  G.,  Kenosha,  Wis St.  L.  4136 

Ensworth,  H.  B.,  Andover  Theol.  Sera.  Bos.     4529 

Entwistlo,  Rev.  — ,  Ok-un,  N.  Y Pha.    4880 

Erskine,  Rev.W.H.,  Bloomington.Ind.  Peo.    4347 

Eshback,  E.  R.,  Baltimore Bal.     3921 

Evans,  T.  C.,  Boston pim.   4750 

Evans,  Rev.  T.  J.,  Blauveltville,  N.  Y.  Pha.    5023 

Evans,  W.  A.,  Athens,  Me Bos.     4403 

Paris,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Henry,  111 peo.    3766 


Farnham,  A.  W.,  New  York I'lia.    5053 

Farrington.Rev.W.  F.Bridgewater,Ms.  Bos.     5034 

Farrington,  Z.  R.,  Holden,  Me Bos.    4099 

Farwell,  Hon.  Jrio.  V.,  Chicago Pha.    4483 

Fay,  Rev.  Solomon  P.,  Boston Bos.    4886 

Ferris,  Edwin,  New  York Pha.   4359 

Fes8endeu,Rev.T.K.,Farmiugton,Ct.  Har.   4304 

Fimllay,  Rev.  W.  T.,  Xenia,  O Cin.    5000 

Finney,  Robt.,  Milton,  Pa.'. Pha.    4351 

Fish,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Fox  Lake,  Wis Mil.     3640 

Fisher,  Rev.  Robt.,  Piermont,  N.  Y....  Pha.    4605 

Fitch,  Saml.  A.,  Delhi,  N.  Y Uta.     4001 

Fitch,  S.  W.,  M.  D.,  Oneida,  N  Y Uta.    3995 

Fitch,  Rev.  — ,  New  York  Mills,  N.  Y.  Uta.    4590 

Fitz,  S.  E.,  Chelsea,  Mass Bos.    4527 

Fletcher,  J.  F.,  Hollis,  N.  H Bos.     4704 

Ford,  Rev.  F.  F.,  Newark,  N.  Y Har.    4305 

Ford,  Rev.  H.  P.,  Rocky  Hill,  Ct Har.    4311 

Foster,  Rev.  Aaron,  Charlemont,  Ms...  Bos.    4245 

Foster,  Rev.  Jno.  O.,  Chicago Chi.     4260 

Foster,  R.  A.,  Warrensburg,  Mo St.  L.  4129 

Foster,  R.  II.,  Rushville,  Ind Mil.     3625 

Francis,  Rev.  C.  W.,  New  Haven,  Ct...  Har.   4670 

Frazer,  Rev.  Jas.  J.,  Milroy,  Ind Pbg.    4835 

French,  G.  H.,  Thetford,  Vt Bos.    4955 

French,  Jno.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   4074 

French,  J.  D.  W.,  Roxbury,  Mass Bos.    4525 

Fritz,  Rev.  S.  H.,  Butler,  Pa Pbg.    4644 

Frost,  Rev.  G .  W.,  Cambridgeport,  Ms.  Bos.  5048 
Frost,  Rev.  L.  P.,  Evans'  Centre,  N.Y.  Buf.  4544 

Fuller,  Rev.  A.,  Hallowell,  Me Bos.     4519 

Fuller,  Rev.  C.  D.,  Burlington,  Vt Bos.     4390 

Fuller,  Rev.  0.  P.,  Centreville,  R.  I...  Bos.     4958 

Fulton,  Rev.  J.  P.,  New  Derry,  Pa Pbg.   4642 

Fulton,  Rev.  Win.,  Manayunk,  Pa N.  Y.  4570 

Furber,Rev.D.L.,NewtonCentre,Mass.  Bos.  4885 
Furber,  Rev.  Franklin,  Greenfield,  Ms.  Bos.  4899 
Gage.  Rev.  L.  L.,  S.  Alabama,  N.  Y...  Buf.  3860 
Gale  (2),  Rev.  Solomon,  Tolland,  Ct...  Har.  4312 
Gallagher,  Rev.  F.  K.,  Hillsdale,  Mich.  Pha.  5056 
Gamage,  Rev.  S.  P.,  Holtsville,  N.  Y..  Cin.  5003 

Gammell,  Hon.  A.  M.,  Providence N.  Y.  4844 

Gardner,  Rev.G.  W.,Charlestown.Ms.  lios.  5014 
Garrell,Rev.A.V.,Cambridge  City,Ind.  Ind.  3056 

Gay,  H.  G.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem Bos.    4089 

Gee,  Rev.  A.  A.,  Lafayette,  Ind Cin.     4421 

Geer,  Rev.  Heman,  Lindenville,  0 Cle.     3473 

Gibson,  Rev.  R.  Chatfield,  Minn St.  L.  4929 

Giddings,  S.  M..  Brooklyn Bkn.   4439 

Gill,  Rev.  J.,  Plainfleld,  Vt Bos.     4169 

Gillam,  W.  H.,  Fort  Smith,  Ark St.  L.  4125 

Gillette,  H.  A.,  Valparaiso,  Ind Chi 

Given,  Rev.  Jas.,  Burrell,  Pa Pbg.    3357 

Gladwin,  Rev.  A.,  New  York Wu.     3804 

Gleason,  C.  H.,  Marlboro ;  N.  H Bos.     4236 

Ulidden,  Rev.  K.  B.,  Entteld,  Ct Har.    4665 

Gliddon,  Rev.  N.  D.,  Scowlas.  Mich....  Det.     3980 

Gloucester,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   4071 

Godshall,  Rev.  S.,  Guthrieville,  Pa.....  Pha.   4044 


LIST   OF   DELEGATES. — 1865. 


633 


Gold,  S.W..M.D.,  N.Cornwall,  Ct Har.  4668 

Goodwin,  C.  G.,  New  York Pha.  5055 

Goodwin.  R«v.  E.  P.,  Columbus,  0 Pha.  4949 

Gordon,  Rev.  II.  .1.,  Haverhill,  Mass..  Bos.  3874 

Gordon,  Jos.  C.,  Monmouth,  111 Peo.  4340 

Gould,  Philetus.  Leroy,  Mich Det.  3976 

Graves,  Rev.  Horace,  Dover,  Me Bos.  4250 

Graves,  Rev.  H.,  Troy Pha.  4951 

Graves,  Rev.  W.  P.,  Washington,  III.  Peo.  4619 

Greene,  Rev.  A.  L.,  Pulteney,  N.  Y...  Buf.  3993 

Gridley,  0.  L.,  Buffalo Wn.  3843 

Grosvenor,  Rev.  C.  P.,Cantertmry,Ct.  Har.  3846 

Crumley,  Rev.  E.  S.,  Columbus,  Wis...  Mil.  4549 

Gurney,Rev.J.H.,NewBraintree,Ms.  Bos.  4400 

Guelman,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Pittsburg Pbg.  4184 

Gustin,  Charles  M.,  Windham,  Me Bos.  4230 

Guylinger,  R.  H.,  Sunbeam,  111 Peo.  3865 

Hall,  Kev.  A.  II.,  Bucksport,  Me Bos.  4397 

Hall,  Jas.,  Jefferson,  Me Bos.  4094 

Hall,  Rev.  Jno.  H.,  Dansville,  N.  Y....  Uta.  4591 

Hall,  Jonathan,  New  York Pha.  4659 

Hall,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Johnsonville,  N.  Y...  Try.  2716 

Hall,  Rev.  Samuel  H.,D.D.,New  York.  N.  Y.  4158 

Halliday,  Rev.  H.  M.,  Andover,  Mass.  Bos.  4834 

Hally,S.  G.,New  Market,  N.  H Bos.  5019 

Hamerton,  T.,  Boston.- Bos.  4232 

Hanna,  — ,  Hamilton,  N.  Y. Uta.  4585 

Hardenbrook,   Miss  E.,   Ft.   Leaven- 
worth,  Kan St.  L.  4938 

Hardy,  J.  Edward,  Louisville, Cin.  4010 

Harpendii>j;,O.G.,N.  Bennington,  Vt.  N.  Y.  4165 

Harris,  Charles,  Peoria Peo.  4325 

Harris,  Rev.  E..  Kingston,  Pa Pha.  4534 

Harris,  J.  W.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y. Uta.  4592 

Harrison,  Rev.  Geo.  J.,  Milton,  Ct Har.  4310 

Hart,  Rev.  Burdett.  Philadelphia Pha.  4206 

Barter,  Henry  L.,  Utica Uta.  4595 

Hartley,  Rev.  IsaacS.,  New  York Pha.  4942 

Hartley,  Rev.  W.  S.,  Eaton,  Ohio Cin.  4426 

Hai-tupee,  Rev.  G.  H.,  Elyria,  Ohio Cin.  4560 

Harwood,  Geo.  W.,  Detn.it Det.  4287 

Haskell,  Rev.  T.  N.,  E.  Boston,  Mass.  Bos.  5016 

Hastings,  Rev.  Thos.  S.,  New  York....  N.  Y.  4487 

Hathaway,  J.  W..  Chicago Chi.  4722 

ILitton,  J,,s.  M..  Morning  Sun,  Ohio...  Cin.  4427 

Havermalc,  S.  G.,  Kankakee  City,  111.  St.  L.  4128 

Hawes,  Rev.  Edw.,  Philadelphia Pha.  4085 

Hawkins,  Rev.  L.,  Palatine,  111 Chi.  3079 

II, •:..-,,< -k.  II.  B.,  Chariton,  Iowa St.  L.  4132 

H.Mtli,  Ri-v.  M..  St.  Paul St.  P.  2600 

Henderson,  Kev.  J.  R.,Wanseon,  O....  Cin.  4006 

Henson,  Rev.  Jos.,  lirooklyn N.  Y.  3954 

Heydri.-k,   1).  M.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4061 

Hill,  Rev.  George  10..  Sav,'imll«-,Ma8s.  Bos.  4524 

Hill  (3),  Jno.  !>„  M.  D.,  Buffalo- Buf.  3992 

Hill.  i.  Rev.  A.,  German  Valley,  N.  J.  Pha.  4598 

Hills,  Rev.  J.  \V.,  E.  Troy.  Pa PI,:..  41 J :• 

Hilton.  Joshua.  Hi-lvidere,  N.  J Plm.  50S7 

Hitchcock,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Ovid,  N.  Y Buf.  4637 


Kitchen,  Rev.  Geo.,  Essex,  Michigan..  St.  L.  4138 

Hobbs,  Rev.  H.  A.,  Chebanse,  111 Peo.  4613 

Hodiikin*,  Daniel,  New  Market,  N.  H.  Bos.  4021 

Hodgman,  Rev.  Thus.  M.,  York,  N.  Y.  Pha.  4205 

Hoffman,  R.  A.,  Barlow,  Ohio Wu.  4788 

Holbrook,  F.  W.,  Albany Alb.  3386 

Holcombe,  J.  F.,  Johnsonville,  Ohio...  St.  L.  4934 

Holdridge,  A.  D.,  St.  Albans,  Vt Bos.  4219 

Holloway,  Rev.  A.  II.,  Smith's  Mills, 

Pennsylvania St.  L.  3763 

Homes,  Rev.  M.  W.,  Kendaia,  N.  Y...  Pha.  4693 

Hopkins,  Rev.  V.  L.,  Westfield,  N.  Y..  Buf.  3989 

Horton,  Rev.  A.  A.,  Cherry  Creek.N.Y.  Buf.  4541 

Hotchkiss,  Arthur  E.,  Providence Pha.  4784 

Hotchkiss,  Rev.  E.,  Tyre,  N.  Y Buf.  4213 

Hough  ton,  H.C.,  Jamaica  Plain,   Ms.  Bos.  5035 

Hovey,  Harris  W.,  Guilford,  N.  Y Pha.  4455 

Hovey,  Rev.  Horace  C.,  Florence,  Ma.  Bos.  4251 

Howe,  Rev.  E.  F.,  S.  Canaan,  Ct Har.  4076 

Howe,  J.  M.,  Lowell BOB.  4088 

Howes,  Rev.  E.  J.,  Sylvanus,  Mich D«t.  3607 

Rowland,  Rev.  H.  O.,  Girard.Pa Pha.  5064 

Hoyt,  Rev.  James,  Orange,  N.  J Pha.  5030 

Hoyt,  Hon.  J.  B.,  Stamford,  Ct N.  Y.  4156 

Hubbard,  I.  P.,  Westerly,  R.  I Pha.  4800 

Hulbert,  E.  B.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y Uta.  4380 

Humphrey,  Miss  Hattie,  Chicago Chi.  4266 

Hunt,  Rev.  A.  S.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4772 

Hunt,  S.  F.,  Springdale,  Ohio Ciu.  4459 

Hunt  (2),  Jr.,  S.  M.,  Chicago Chi.  4279 

Hurd,  Rev.  Fayette,  Union  City,  Mich.  Cle.  3935 

Hurd,  Herman,  Johnsonville,  N.  Y...  Try.  2717 

Hurlbnt,  T.  L.,  Gilead,  Ind Cin.  4008 

Hiirlin,  Rev.  Chas.,  Brownfleld,  Me...  Bos.  4505 

Hurlin,  Rev.  Win.,  China,  Me Bos.  4500 

Hutching*,  Rev.  R.  U.,Fitchburg,  Ms.  Bos.  4709 

Hutchinson,Rev.J.C.,Townsend,Ms.  Bos.  3890 

Hutton,  Wm.,  New  York N.  Y.  4685 

Hyde,  Rev.  E.  P.,  S.  Coventry,  Ct Har.  4671 

Ingalls,  Miss  Emma  L.,  Chicago Chi.  4262 

In-ralmm.  11.  C.  M..  Brooklyn Bkn.  4436 

Irish,  M.,  Gorham,  Me Bos.  4827 

Irish,  T.  P.,  Garland,  Me Bos.  4897 

Irvine,  Rev.  Robert,  D.  D.,  Philad'a.....  Pha.  5080 

Irwin,  Rev.  G.  W.,  Lacon,  111 Peo.  3588 

Ives,  Stephen,  Batavia,  N.  Y Wn.  3800 

Jack,  Rev.  II.  D.,  Niconza,  Ind Cin.  6009 

Jackson,  Jno.  C.,  Boston Bos.  4019 

Jacobs,  B.  Frank.,  Chicago Ind.  3788 

.liirol.us.  Rev.  I.,  Bangor,  Me Bos.  4959 

James,  Win..  Brooklyn Bkn.  4441 

Jam,*.  K.-v.  W.  I-..  Kingston,  N.  Y....  N.  Y.  4864 
Jamison,  J«s.,Groton  Centre,  Mow...  N.  Y.  4486 

Janes.  R.-v.  Hish.-p  K.  S.,  l..i>..  N.  V...-  Pha.  4141 

Jaques,  Rich.  D.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  47IV5 

Jn.ks.  Rev.G.  M..  ItiHoi.  N.  Y ttuf.  4536 

.1.— up.  U.-v.  S.unl..  Iiansvill,..  X.  Y...  Roc.  4148 

J.-np.  Morris  K.,  New  York N.  Y.  4383 

J.-wnt.  Thus.,  Kludge,  N.  II Bos.  4521 


634 


ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Cin.  4424 
Pbg.  4180 
Bkn.  4063 


Johnson,  Eli,  Cincinnati  ..................  Cin.    3913 

Johnson,  Rev.  W.  C.,  Vermilion,  N.Y.  Buf.    3862 
Johnson(2),Rev.W.W.,Galesb'g,Mich.  Cle.     3934 
Johnston,  Jno.  T.,  New  York  ............  N.Y.  4865 

ones,  Rev.  D.  J.,  Kingston  Centre,  0.  Cin.     4408 

nes,  Rev.Dav.  W  .........................  St.L.  4166 

nes,  Horatio  Gates,  Philadelphia....  Pha.    4142 

nes,  L.  H.,  Cincinnati 

nes,  Thos.  11.,  Birmingham,  Pa 
Jones,  W.  B.,  Brooklyn 
Jones,  Rev.  W.,  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa  ......  Pha.    4490 

Jones,  W.  D.,  Boston  ........................  Bos.    4243 

Joy,  F.  R  .......................................  Peo.    4345 

Joy,  Wellington,  Brockton,  N.  Y  ......  Buf.    3987 

Junkin,  Rev.Geo.,B.B.,Philad'a  .......  Pha.   3973 

Keeler,  Rev.  S.  H.,  D.D.,  Calais,  Me....  Bos.    4825 

Keely,  Rev.  Danl.,  Uwchlan,  Pa  .........  Pha.   4139 

Keiry,  Wm.,  Lacon,  111  .....................  Peo.    3871 

Kellogg,  Wm.  A.,  E.  Scott,  N.  Y  ........  Pha.    4365 

Kendall,  Rev.  Chas.,  Auburn,  Mass...  Bos.     3820 
Kendall,  Rev.  J.  F.,  Baldwinsv'e,  N.Y.  Uta.    3780 
Kennedy,  Rev.  S.  T.,  Blairsville,  Pa...  Pbg.   4840 
Ken-,  Rev.  Sam!.,  Harrisville,  Pa  .......  Pbg.    4056 

Kessler,  N.,  Westfield,  N.  Y  ..............  Buf.    3986 

Kessler,  Rev.  R.,  Pleasant  Mount,  Pa.  Pha.    4533 
Kelton.Rev.  W.  H.,  W.  Waterv'e,  Me.  Bos.     4S88 
Kimball,  Miss  Josephine,  St.  Louis  .....  St.  L.  4942 

King  (2),  Rev.  C.  A.,  Bath,  Me  ...........  Mil.    4552 

King,  Rev.  G.M.P.,E.  Providence,  R.I.  Bos.    4406 
King,  Harvey  J.,  Troy  .....................  Wn.    3844 

King,  Tuthill,  Chicago  .....................  Bal.     3924 

Kirkby  (2),  Francis  G.,  Brooklyn  .......  Bkn.  3837 

Kirkby,  Wm.,  Brooklyn  ...................  Bkn.  3836 

Kitchel,  C.  L.,  Chicago  .....................  Phu.   4687 

Kitchel,  Rev.  H.  D.,  D.  B.,  Chicago  .....  Chi.    4463 

Kittredge,  Rev.  A.  E.,  New  York  ......  Pha.   4571 

Kittredge,  Wm.  P.,  New  York  ...........  Pha.   4578 

Klepper,Rev.J.W.,Spring  Valley  ,Min.  Chi.     4268 
Knowlton,  S.,  Worcester  ..................  Bos.    3893 

Knox,  Rev.  C.  E.,  Montclair.    N.  J....  Pha.   4581 

Koetzle,  Rev.  T.  J.,  Chicago  ..............  Chi.    4117 

Laird,  Rev.  Jas.,  Jewett  City,  Ct  ........  Har.    4664 

Lanmer  (2),  Jas.,  Brooklyn  ...............  Bkn.  4446 

Lansing,  Rev.  L.  L.,  Maiden,  111  ........  Chi.    4108 

Lathrop,  Rev.  E.,  B.  i>.,  New  York  ......  N.  Y.  3948 

Lathrop,  Henry  E.,  Providence  .........  Pha.   4752 

Latimer,  J.  C.,  Cambridge,  Mass  ........  Bos.     4031 

Latson,  Joel,  Eaton  Rapids,  Mich  ......  Det.    4203 

Lawrence  (3),  Arthur,  Boston  ............  Bos.    4244 

Lawson,  Rev.  Jas.,  Platteville,  Wis....  Mil.     4467 

Lee,  Rev.  Alfred,B.B.,Wilniington,  Del.  Pha.    4140 
Lee,  Rev.  Geo.  D.,  Hillsdale,  Mich  ......  N.  Y.  4160 

Lee,  Rev.  S.  H.,  N.  Bridgewater,  Ms...  Bos.    5015 
Leever,  Rev.  H.  W.,  Newberry,  0  ......  Cin.    4012 

Leonard,  Rev.  A.  P.,  Sardis,  Pa  .........  Pbg.   4839 

Lestrade,  Rev.  J.  P.,  New  York  .........  Pha.    4950 

Lewis,  C.  P.  V.,  Berkshire,  Vt  ............  Bos.     4389 

Lewis,  E.  E.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms.  Bos.     4507 
Libby,  Rev.  A.,  Bath,  Me  ..................  Bos.     5058 


Libby,  Gideon,  Saco,   Me Pha.    4355 

Lightbody,  Rev.T.,  N.Baltimore,  Mich.  Det.     4194 

Lisle,  W.  M.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem Bos.     4090 

Little,  Rev.  L.,  Danbury,  N.  II Bos.    4512 

Livermore,  A.,  Cambridge,  Mass Bos.     4101 

Lobdell,  Rev.  Francis,  Bridgeport,  Ct.  Har.    4303 

Locke,  W.  Edwin,  New  York N.  Y.  4684 

Locke,  W.  H..  Sewickley,  Pa Pbg.    4838 

Lockhart,  W.  E.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y Uta.    3998 

Lougley,  J.G.,  S.  Deerfleld,  Mass Bos.    3891 

Longley,  Rev.  M.  M.,  Washington,  Ms.  Bos.  4394 
Loomis,  Rev.  Hen.,  Manchester,  Ct....  Har.  4301 

Lorimer,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Derby,  Vt Bos.    5047 

Lorimer,  Rev  Wm.,  Antrim,  0 Cin.     4014 

Lounsberry,  Rev.H.,  Cold  Spring,  N.Y.  N.Y.  4155 

Love  (2),  Robt.,  Brodhead.  Wis Pha.    4040 

Love,  Rev.  Wm.  DeLoss,  Milwaukee...  Pha.  4315 
Lowe,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  TJnadilla,  Mich..  Det.  4193 
Lowrie,  Rev.  N.  S.,  Conneautville,  Pa.  Pbg.  4648 

Loyd,  Geo.  B.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4060 

Lyon,  Rev.  C.  W.,  New  York Pha.    4743 

Macarty,  And.  J.,  Philadelphia Pha.    4548 

Malcom,  Rev.  C.  II.,  Newport,  R.  I....  Bos.  5070 
Mandell,  Rev.Wm.A..Lune:iburg,  Ms.  Bos.  4173 

Mann,  Charles  II.,  Boston Bos.     4891 

March,  Rev.  J.  C.,  New  Concord,  0 Cin.     4013 

Marden,  (2)  Rev.  Geo.  N.,  Bangor,  Me.  Bos.  4105 
Marlay,  Rev.  J.F.,  Pleasant  Hill.  Iowa.  St.  L.  3914 

Marsh,  C.A.J.,N.Craftsbury,Vt Bos.     4102 

Marshall,  Rev.  L.  M.,  Dayton,  Pa Pbg.    3742 

Martin,  Rev.  II.  C.,  Sycamore,  111 Chi.     4113 

Martin,  Rev.  H.  L.,  Sycamore,  111 Chi.     4114 

Martiu,*ltev.  H.  W.,  Concord,  N.  H...  Bos.     4712 

Martin  (2),  James  A.,  Brooklyn..,. Bkn.    4004 

Martin,  Hev.  J.  W.,  Sandwich,  111 Chi.     4112 

Martin,  Rev.  N.  H.,  Millbnry,  Mass...  Bos.  4242 
Mason,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Waynesville,  0....  Cin.  5007 

Mason,  S.  A.,  Marlboro',  N.  II Pha.    4996 

Mather,  Rev.  S.  P.,  Shullsburg,  Wis...  Mil.     4550 

Matthews,  Rev.  J.,  Moninouth,  111 Peo.    4328 

Matthews  (2),  Rev.  R.  C.,  Victoria,  111.  Peo.    3594 

Mattice,  Rev.  H.,  Keokuk,  Iowa St.  L.  4941 

Mayer,  H.  C.,  Brookline,  Mass Bos.     4038 

McCabe(2),  Rev.  C.  C.,  Chicago Cin.     4147 

McCauley,  Clay,  Chicago Chi.    4263 

McClain.Rev.J.F.,Dillsboroitgh,Tnd.  Ind.  4468 
McClaniiiilian,Rev.W.  S.,  Moninouth.  Peo.  3586 

McClary,  Rev.  T.  M St.  P.  2602 

McConnoll,  S.  D.,  N.  Alexandria,  Pa...  Pbg.    4643 

McCormick,  Alex.,  Memphis St.L.  4932 

McCully,  Rov.  C.  G.,  Milltown,  Me Bos.    4896 

McGhee,  Thos.  B.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4803 

McIIcnry,  Jno.  A.,  Wabash,  Ind Pbg.    4177 

McIlvaine,Geo.H.,Peoria Peo.    3772 

McKay,  W.,  Millbury,  Mass Bkn.  4073 

McKennan,  — ,  M.B..  Washington.  Pa.  Pbg.  4641 
McKinstry,  Willard,  Fredonia,  N.  Y...  Buf.  3984 

McLanc.  Rev.C.K.,Mechanicsv'e,'Iowa.  Chi 

McLaren,  Rev.  W.  E.,  Pt-oria Pha.    4146 


LIST   OF   DELEGATES. 1865. 


635 


McLaulIn,  Jno.  D.,  Oberlin,  0.  
McLaurey,  J.  F.,  Delhi,  N.  Y  
McLean,  Rev.  C.  T.,  Mechanicsv'e,  lo. 
McLean,  Rev.  J.  K.,  Framingham,  Ms. 
McLeod,  Rev.  II.,  Breutwood,  N.  H... 
McMillan,  And.  T.,  Providence  
Mechlin,  Rev.  G.  W.,  Dayton,  Pa  
Meech  Rev  W  W  Louisville  

Cle.  3928 
Uta.  4378 
Chi.  4120 
Bos.  4034 
Pha.  5098 
Pha.  4782 
Pbg.  3743 
St  L.  4943 

Noble(2),  C.,  Wilbraham,  Mass  Bos.  4093 
Noble,  Rev.  T.  K.,  Winthrop,  Me  Bos.  4234 
Norcross,  Rev.  Flavins  V.,  Union,  Me..  Wn.  3802 
Norton,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Cleveland  N.  Y.  3930 
Norwood,  Rev.  F.,  Phippsburg,  Me  Bos.  5046 
Nutting,  E.  G.,  Florence,  Mass  Bos.  4218 
Oakely,  C.  P.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  4809 
Ogden  Willis  L.  Brooklyn.  .  ..  Bku  4802 

Meharry,  Rev.  A.,  Wilmington,  0  
Mentz,  Henry,  M.B.,  Brooklyn  
Meredith,  John  R.,  Omaha  City, 

Nebraska 

Cin.  4559 
Bkn.  4444 

Pha  4694 

Orange,  Mrs.  D.  E.,  Grayville,  111  St.  L.  4937 
Orange,  Rev.  S.  J.,  Grayville,  111  St.  L.  4936 
Osborne,  Rev.  W.  M.,  Mansion,  Wis...  Mil.  4465 
Osterhout  Jno  V  Hamilton  N  Y  Uti  4584 

Merrill,  Rev.  A.  II.,  Bath,  Me  
Merrill,  Rev.  J.  II.,  Andover,  Mass.... 
Merriniaii,Rev.T.M.,BeverlyFarni,Ms. 
Men-it  t,  Reuben  D.,  Wilson,  N.  Y  
Merwin  A  M  Brooklyn 

Bos.  4893 
Bos.  4826 
Bos.  5044 
Bnf.  3985 
Bkn  4764 

Oviatt,  Geo.  A.,  Somers,  Ct  Har.  4078 
Oviatt,  Rev.  G.  D.,  Finley,  Ohio  Cin.  4422 
Owen,  Rev.  Thomas,  Leroy,  Michigan.  Det.  3975 
Paddock,  H.  C.,  Batavia,  111  Chi.  4111 
Paddock  Rev  Jno  A  Brooklyn  Bkn  4776 

Miles,  Rev.  A.  W.,  Corning,  N.  Y  

Buf.  4210 

Page.C.  D.  Groveland  Mass  Bos.  4530 

Millard,  Rev.  Nelson,  Montclair,  N.  J. 
Miller,  Frederick,  Providence  
Miller,  H.  Thane,  Cincinnati  
Miller,  Rev.  M.  G.,  Pleasant  Hill,  Iowa. 
Miller,  Rev.  0.  H.,  W.  Newton,  Pa  
Miller,  Rev.  W.G.,  Milwaukee  

Pha.  4580 
Pha.  4783 
Cin.  3912 
St.  L.  3760 
Pbg.  4640 
Mil.  4318 

Page,  P.  L.,  Pittsfield,  Mass  N.  Y.  4162 
Palmer,  Chas.  M.,  Brimfield,  Mass  Bos.  4890 
Palmer(2),Rev.C.W.,  Cambridge,  N.Y.  Pha.  4582 
Palmer,  Gershom  H.,  Bath,  Me  Bos.  4091 
Palmer,  Rev.  A.  D.  F.,  N.  Anson,  Me..  Bos.  4829 
Park  A.  Jackson,  New  York  Pha.  4573 

Miller,  W.  W.,  M.D.,  Birmingham,  Pa. 
Mills  Isaac  D  Leroy  Mich 

Pbg.  4639 
Det  3978 

Parker,  Rev.  H.,  Leominster,  Mass  Bos.  3888 
Parker  H  F  Reading  Mass  Bos  4511 

Mill*  Rev  W  II  Brooklyn 

Bkn  4774 

Milne,  Caleb  J.,  Philadelphia..!  
Mitchell,  C.  J.,  Clinton,  N.  Y  
Mitchell,  Rev.  —  ,  Logansport,  Ind  
Mitchell,  —  ,  Hamilton,  N.  Y  
Montague,Rev.E.J.,Oeonomowoc,Wis. 
Montelius  *  W.  P.,  Mifflinburg,  Pa..... 

Pha.  4491 
Uta.  4586 
Cin.  4409 
Uta,  4589 
Mil.  4316 
Pbg.  3355 
Chi.  4256 

Parmelee,Rev.W.B.,Westernv'le,N.Y.  Uta.  4373 
Parson,  W.  Ed.,  Gettysburg,  Pa  Pha.  4637 
Parsons,  Rev.  Benjamin,  Windsor,  Ct.  Har.  4662 
Patrick,  Rev.  H.  J.,  W.  Newton,  Mass.  Bos.  3884 
Pattengill,  Rev.  L.  C.,  Wilson,  N.  Y  ...  Buf.  3988 
Patterson,  Rev.  Robert,  D.  D.,  Chicago.  Peo.  3770 

Moody  Mrs  D  L  Chicago  

Chi.  4257 

Peabody  J  E  Fond  du  Lac  Wis  Mil  4627 

Moore,  Geo.  W.,  Leroy,  Michigan  
Moore,  Rev.  J.  II.,  Ottawa,  III  
Moore,  Rev.  Wm.  E.,  Philadelphia  
Morand(2),  Augustus,  Brooklyn  

Det.  3641 
Peo.  4327 
Pha.  4741 
Bku.  4453 

Pearce,  Rev.  Jno.,  Brooklyn  Bkn.  4868 
Pearne,  Rev.  Thos.  H.,  Portland.Oreg.  Pha.  4041 
Pease,  Wm.  H.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y  Uta.  4587 
Pear  Wm  Cold  Spring  NY  .NY.  4484 

More,  Jr.,  David  F.,  Brooklyn  ... 

Bkn.  4069 
Bkn  4449 

Peffers,  Rev.  A.  B.,  Epsom,  N.  H  Bos.  4517 

Morgan,  Rev.  L.  S.,  Hornellsville,  N.Y. 
Morgan,  Tbos.  W.,  Albany  
Morley,  Jno.  H.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem. 
Morley  (2),  Rev.  S.  B.,  Andover,  Mass. 
Morrison,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Lake  Forest,  111. 
M..I-S,-.  Rev.  B.  S.,  S.  Wilbraham.  Ms.. 
Moss,  Roswell,  R.,  Elmira,  N.  Y  
Moultou,  Rev.  A.  K.,  Auburn,  Mo  
Murphy,  Miss  Ilattic,  Chicago  
Myers,  Rev.  W.  II.,  Brooklyn  
Nadal,  Rev.  B.  H.,  D.P.,  Washington.. 
Nash  Rev.  J.  II.,  Sunbeam  111  

Pha.  4458 
Alb.  3387 
Bos.  4502 
Bos.  4522 
Pha.  4879 
Bos.  4708 
Pha.  4370 
Bos.  4952 
Chi  
Bkn.  3834 
Wn.  4793 
Peo.  4329 

Perkins.  Rev.  A.  E.  P.,  Ware,  Mass....  Bos.  4404 
Perry,  Rev.  Jno.  B.,  Swanton,  Vt  Bos.  4401 
Phelps,  W.  A.,  Middletown  Mass  Bos.  3645 
Plmmer,  Rev.  Wilson,  Sing  Sing,  N.Y.  Pha.  4548 
Piereon,  Rev.  11.  W.,  D.P.,  Toledo,  0...  Pha.  4928 
Pike,  Rev.  J.,Sanbornton  Bridge.  N.H.  Bos.  4020 
Pilcher,  Rev.  J.  N.,  Jackson  C.  H.,  0_.  Cin.  4419 
Platt,  Rev.  Jos.,  Monmouth,  111  Peo.  4344 
Platt,  Rev.  W.,  Utica,  Mich  Det.  3979 
l'ln.Ml1.Mrs.SarahM.,Ypsilanti,Mich.  Det.  4195 
Pond,  Hon.  Joseph  A.,  Boston  Bos.  5090 
Pond,  Moses  W.,  Boston  Bos.  5089 

Nayjor,  A.  H.,  Chester,  111  
Nelson,  Chas.  P.,  Milford,  Mass  
Nelson,  Rev.  W.  F.,  Cincinnati  

St.  L.  4149 
Bos.  4892 
Cin.  6004 
Bkn.  4437 

Porter,  Rev.  Jeremiah,  Chicago  Chi.  4557 
Porter,  Mrs.  Jeremiah,  Chicago  Chi.  4724 
Porter.  Mary  II..  Janesville,  Wis  St.  L.  3762 
I'oti.u-  Itrv.  Win..  Frank  Hill,  Minn.  St.  L.  4137 

Newton,  Wm.,  M.D.,  Oxford.  M;i<s  
Niemeyer,  Rev.  I.  H.,  Norristown,  Pa. 

Bos.  4822 
Pha.  4624 

Post,  Rev.  A.  II.,  Peru,  111  Chi.  4267 
Potter,  Samuel  B.,  New  York  N.  Y.  4857 

636 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 


Potter,  Rev.  Wm.,  Lawrenceville,  Pa..  Pha.   4350 

Potter,  Rev.  Wm.,  Clean,  N.  Y N.  Y.  4845 

Pressley,  J.  N.,  Grandview,  Iowa St.  L.  4131 

Preston,  Rev.  Geo.  M.,  Medford,  Mass.  Bos.     4960 

Prettyman,  Rev.  W.,  Athens,  Ohio Gin.     4423 

Price,  Rev.  A.,  La  Prairie  Centre,  111..  Peo.    3864 

Price,  Oscar,  Adrian,  Mich Det.     4188 

Priiney,  Laura  M.,  Elyria,  Ohio St.  L.  4930 

Puriuton,  Rev.  A.  W.,  Woolwich,  Me.  Bos.     5059 

Purinton,  J.,  Kendall's  Mills,  Me Bos.    4289 

Pyke,  Rev.  Chas.,  Milford,  N.  If Bos.     5071 

Rafsnyder,  E.,  Philadelphia. Pha.    4748 

Randall,  Rev.  A.,  D.D.,  Columbus,  0...  Pha.  4973 
Randall,  Jno.  D.,  Black  River,  N.  Y_.  TJta.  3999 

Randolph,  J.  S.,  Faribault,  Minn Chi.    4261 

Rankin,  Rev.  J.  G.,  Warsaw,  111 St.  L.  3765 

Redlon(2),  Rev.  A.,  W.  Waterville,  Me.  Bos.  4167 
Reed,  Rev.  N.  C.,  Cambridgeport,  Ms.  Bos.  5078 

Reynolds,  Rev.  A.,  Hancock,  N.  Y Pha.    4535 

Reynolds,  Asa  E.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y.....  Uta.    4379 

Reynolds,  B.  S.,  Oneida,  N.  Y Uta.    3997 

Reynolds  (2),  Wm.,  Peoria Peo.    3769 

Rhodes  (2),  Jno.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   4062 

Rhodes,  Jno.  C.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4440 

Richardson,Kev.S.D.,  Manchester,  Me.  Bos.    4233 

Righter(2),  Chas.  A.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4438 

Ritchie,  Rev.  H.,  Wenona,  111 Peo.    3590 

Roach,  Rev.  J.  P.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa...  Chi.  3080 
Robbing,  Rev.  J.  C.,  Waukesha,  Wis...  Mil.  4319 
Roberts,  Rev.  A.  J.,  Jacksonville,  Vt..  Bos.  4506 
Roberts,  Rev.  F.  R.,  Waterboro',  Me..  Bos.  4499 
Robie,  Rev.  Benjamin  A.,  Bangor,  Me.  Bos.  4957 
Robie.  Rev.  T.  S.,  W.  Falmouth,  Me...  Bos.  5068 

Robinson,  N.  C.,  Vinton,  Iowa St.  L.  4127 

Robinson,  Thos.,  Worcester Bos.    4098 

Rodman(2),  Rev.  W.,  W.  Farms,  N.  Y.  N.  Y.  3950 
Roof,  Clarence  M.,  Cooperstown,  N.Y.  N.  Y.  4164 

Rooney,  8.  B.,  New  York Pha.    4798 

Root,  Rev.  Jas.  P.,  Providence Pha.    4841 

Rose,  Jno.  F.,  M.B.,  W.  Philadelphia..  Pha.  4746 
Ross,  Rev.  A.  H.,  Boylston  Centre,  Ms.  Bos.  5020 

Ross,  Rev.  Jas.  H.,  Northfield,  Ind Itid.    3792 

Koss,  J.  S.,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa St.  L.  4133 

Rugg,  Carlos  A.,  Perrysburg,  N.  Y Buf.    4207 

Rumsey,  Loami,  Centreville,  N.  Y Buf.    3689 

Rusco,  J.  F.,  Waterbury,  Ct Pha.    5086 

Russell  (2),  Isaac,  Louisville Cin.    4009 

Russell,  Rev.  J.  I.,  Stone  Church,  Pa..  Pha.  4660 
Samuels,  Rev.  Robt.,  Brewster,  Mass..  Bos.  4711 

Sanborn,  A.  J.,  Stowe,  Vt Bos.    4953 

Sanboru,  Rev.B.T.,Columbia  Falls,Me.  Bos.  4398 
Sanborn,  Rev.  J.  P.,  Fremont,  N.  H....  Bos.  4399 

Sanderson,  Rev.  R.,  E.  Wilton,  Me Bos.     5042 

Sanford,  Drury  S.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   4762 

Sanson,  J.  R.,  Hoffman's  Ferry,  N.  Y..  Pha.  4369 
Sanson,  T.  J.,  Hoffman's  Ferry,  N.  Y..  Pha.  4368 

Sawden,  Rev.  Wm.,  Aurora,  Ind Ind.    4469 

Sawyer,  D.  W.,  Boothbay,  Me Bos.     4026 

Sayers,  Jno.,  Washington,  Pa. Bal.     3919 


Scanlan,  Thos.,  Collamer,  Pa Pha.    4984 

Schnitzler,  Rev.  T.,  Lawrence,  Wis....  Mil.  4992 
Schultz,  Rev.  J.  A.,  Fairview  Vil.,  Pa.  Pha.  4745 

Scobey,  W.  E.,  M.  D.,  Hamilton,  0 Cin.     4420 

Scofield,  Rev.  S.  R.,  Lisle,  N.  Y Pha.    4431 

Scott,  G.  K.,  Virginia,  111 St.  L.  4126 

Scott,  G.W.  R.,  Andover  Theol  Sem..  Bos.     4496 

Scovill,  Rev.  S.,  Norwich,  N.  Y Uta,    3118 

Scudder,  Rev.  H.  M.,  D.D.,  Jersey  City.  N.  Y.  4384 
Sedgwick,  J.  H.,  Newton  Theol.  Sem.  Bos.  4104 

Seeley,  Rev.  A.  H.,  New  York N.  Y.  4583 

Seiler,  L.  L.,  Bloomfield,  N.  J Pha.    4599 

Sellick  (2),  Rev.  L.,  Pittstown,  N.  Y...  Try.  2715 
Sargent,  Rev.  A.,  Holderness,  N.  H..  Bos.  4954 

Seymour,  Thos.  D.,  Hartford Har.    4079 

Shattuck,  Chas.  P.,  Pepperell,  Mass...  Bos.     4022 

Shaw,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Middleport,  0 Cin.     5002 

Shaw,  Rev.  J.B Det.     4204 

Shearer,  G.  L.,  Philadelphia Pha.    4739 

Sheppard,  Jos.  B.,  Philadelphia. Pha.    4749 

Sherrill,  Henry  J.,  Hamilton,  N.  Y...  Uta.    4588 

Sherwood,  J.  C.,  Attica,  Iowa. .'....  St.L.  4123 

Shinn,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Philadelphia Pha.    4926 

Shinn,  J.  W.,  St.  Louis St.  L.  4945 

Shriver  (2),  Rev.  J.  W.,  Sonora,  0 Cin.    4461 

Silver,  Chas.  A.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4452 

Simons,  Peter  B.,  Philadelphia Pha.    5092 

Skinner,  B.  L.,  Battle  Creek,  Mich Det.    4197 

Slack,  Rev.  Jno.,  Brooklyn Bkn.   3838 

Small,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Enosburg,  Vt Bos.     4882 

Smart,  Jno.,  Philadelphia Pha.    4658 

Smedley,  R.  C.,  M.D.,  West  Chester,  Pa.  Pha.    4751 

Smith,  Aug.  W.,  Princeton,  Ind Ind.    4474 

Smith,  B.  F.,  Binghamton,  N.  Y Pha.    4364 

Smith,  Geo.  M.,  Lancaster,  N.  H Bos.     5031 

Smith,  Rev.  Jesse,  Needport,  Minn St.  P.  2603 

Smith,  Hon.  J.  V.  C.,  M.  D.,  New  York.  N.  Y.  4846 
Smith,  Rev.  M.  Henry,  Jefferson,  111..  Chi.  4107 
Smith,  Rev.  Perkins,  Biddeford,  Me...  Bos.  4498 
Smith,  Rev;  Wm.  A.,  Mt.  Morris,  111...  Chi.  4121 

Snell(2),  E.,  Evans'  Mills,  N.  Y Pha.   4430 

Snow,  F.  H.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.,  Ms.  Bos.     4514 

Southworth,  Edw.,  Auburn,  N.  Y Pha.    4985 

Spangler,  Rev.  M.,  Perryville,  Pa Pbg.    4820 

Spence,  E.  A.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem...  Bos.  4229 
Spilman,  Rev.  T.  E.,  Jacksonville,  111.  Chi.  4109 

Spooner,  J.  W.,  Cambridge,  Mass Bos.     4025 

Sprague,  N.,  Sheboygan  Falls,  Wis Pha.    3806 

Stearns,  Harrison  W.,  Providence Pha.    4755 

Stearns,  J.  N..  Brooklyn Bkn.  4067 

Stebbins,Rev.M.C.,GrotonJunc..Ms.  Bos.    5057 

Steele,  Jno.,  Boston Bos.     4170 

Steele,  Rev.  L.  B.,  Johnson,  Vt Bos.     4235 

Steinman,  C.  L.,  Middletown,  0. Cin.     4999 

Stevens,  Jr.,  B.,  Newark  Valley,  N.  Y.  Pha.  5051 
Stevens,  Rev.  E.G.,  Newton  Centre,Ms.  Bos.  4883 
Stevens,  Rev.  G.  L  ,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.  Pbg.  4051 
Stevens,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Winterport,  Me...  Bos.  4231 
Stevenson,  Rev.  T.,  Monmouth,  111....  Peo.  3589 


LIST   OF    DELEGATES. 1865. 


637 


Stevenson,  Rev.  T.,  Birmingham,  Pa..  Pbg.  4178 

Stewart,  Rev.  A.  M.,  Philadelphia Phu.  42^6 

Stickery,  J.  N.,  Kockville,  Ct Har.  4077 

Stinsou,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Windsor,  Mass.  Bos.  4504 

Stirling,  Dav.,  Euton  Rapids,  Mich Det.  4202 

St.  John,  Geo.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4767 

Stockton,  Rev.  J.  P.,  W.  Unity,  0 Cin.  4410 

Stoddard,  Jno.  P.,  Concord,  Mich Det.  4192 

Stoever(2),  Prof.  M.  L.,  PH.  D.,  Gettys- 
burg, Pa Pha.  3922 

Story,  Jos.,  Boston Bos.  4092 

Stratton,  C.  C.,  Fairlee,  Vt Bos.  4956 

Strong,  Rev.  J.  M.,  Chicago Pha.  5097 

Stryker,  Rev.  Isaac  P.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4807 

Stryker,  M.  M.,  Savannah,  Mo St.  L.  4124 

Stuart,  Rev.  D.  M.,  Dansville,  N.  Y....  Buf.  4214 

Sullivan,  E.  R.,  New  York N.  Y.  4681 

Sutherland,  Rev.  S.,Milo Centre,  N.Y.  Bnf.  4215 

Swain,  Rev.  Jno.  S.,  Newark N.  Y.  4157 

Swanston,  Jno.  P.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4068 

Swartwout,  Wm.  II.,  New  York Pha.  5091 

Swartz,  Rev.  Joel,  Baltimore Bal.  3917 

Sykes,  S.  D.,  Buffalo Bnf.  3990 

Tade,  Rev.  E.  0.,  Washington,  Iowa...  Chi.  4110 

Taft,  Prof.  S.  A.,  Fentonville,  Mich...  Det.  42S8 

Tannehill,  Mrs.  Belle,  St.  Louis St.  L.  4931 

Taylor,  Rev.  Edw.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4772 

Taylor,  Rev.  G.  L.,  New  Britain,.Ct....  Pha.  4925 

Taylor,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Biisti,  N.  Y Buf.  4216 

Telford,  Rev.  J.  C.,W.  Lebanon,  Pa...  Pha.  3745 

Telford,  Rev.  R.,  Rochester Cin.  5005 

Tenney  (2),  A.  P.,  M.  D.,  Lyons,  Iowa-.  Chi.  4272 

Tenney,  Henry  M.,  Wilbraham,  Mass.  Pha.  4576 

Terry,  Rev.  Jno.    W.,  Pittsfield,  Ms..  Bos.  4714 

Thatcher  (2),  R.  W.,  Albany Alb.  3388 

Thayer,  Rev.  D.  H.,  Mt,  Carmel,  Ct...  Har.  4667 

Thayer,  W.  W.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem..  Bos.  4515 

Thomas,  S.  J.,  Conneautville,  Pa Pbg.  4647 

Thomas,  Rev.  W.  V.,  Wauseon,  0 N.  Y.  3955 

Thompson  (2),  Rev.  0.  C.,  Detroit Det.  3974 

Thurston,  D.  D.,  Wabash,  Ind Pbg.  4176 

Tilton,  Austin  E.,  Providence Pha.  4759 

Tinsley,  Rev.  Cbas.,  Greensburg,  Ind.  Ind.  4472 

Tolman,  Rev.  Geo.  B.,  Sheldon,  Vt Bos.  5043 

Tomes,  Rev.  I.  N.,  Mason,  Mich Det.  4189 

Towne  (2),  H.  B.,  Aurora,  111 Chi.  4725 

Trask,  Eli,  Rome,  N.  Y Uta.  3996 

Traver,II.  U.  Ma.lN,,,,  University Uta.  4375 

Truax,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Chicago Chi 

Tupper,  Rev.  Sit  ml.,  Boston Bos.  5050 

Tyng(2),  Alex.  G.,  Peoria Peo.  3592 

Underwood,  P.  L.,  Chicago Chi.  4273 

Uniac,  Edw.  H..  Philadelphia Pha.  4.')47 

Valdemeyer,  Rev.  M.  T.,  Nauvoo,  111..  St.  L.  4122 

VanAllen(2),J.,Sackett'gHarbor,N.Y.  Uta.  3119 

Van  Alstine,  Rev.  N.,  Minden,  N.  Y.._.  Pha.  4086 

Vance,  Rev.  Jos.,  Juneau,  Wifi.. Chi.  3083 

Van  Cleve,  Rev.  L.  F.,  Hillsboro',  0....  Cin.  4568 

Van  Emmon,  Rev.  C.  R.,  Cranberry,  O.  Pbg.  4056 


Viele,  Rev.  A.,  Arlington,  Vt Bos.  4174 

Virgin,  Rev.  E.  W.,  Boston Bog.  4889 

Waite,  Chas.  K.,  Whately,  Mass Bos.  4528 

Walcott,  Stuart Pha.  4843 

Wales,  Salem  H.,  New  York N.  Y.  4381 

Walker,  Edmund  S.,  Liverpool,  N.  Y..  N.  Y.  4686 

Walker,  Rev.  S.  S.,  Burlington,  Vt....  Bos.  4248 

Walker,  Rev.  T.,  Iluntington,  Mass...  Bos.  6032 

Wallace,  Rev.  H.,  Davenport,  lown....  Peo.  4326 

Walton,  Rev.  J.  E.,  Portland Bos.  5013 

Ward,  Joseph,  Pawtucket,  R.  I Pha.  4756 

Ward,  Jr.,  Orrin,  Tolland,  Ct liar.  4308 

Wardcl,  Rev.  Jas.,  Chicago Chi.  4264 

Ware,  Amos  B.,  Holliston,  Mass -.  Bos.  4030 

WaiTcn,  W.  J.,  Brooklyn Bkn.  4450 

Wasmuth,  Rev.  E.,  Geneseo.Ill Chi.  4265 

Waters,  Rev.  W.  G.,  Bellefontaine,  0.  Cin.  4561 

Watson,  David,  Hamilton,  N.  Y Uta.  4371 

Watts,  Rev.  L.  S.,  Dracut,  Mass Bos.  5049 

Wayne,  Rev.  Jos.,  Portageville,  N.  Y..  Buf.  3861 

Weaver,  Rev.  J.  S.,  Blue  Ball,  Ohio....  Cin.  4015 

Webster,  Rev.  N.,  Guilford,  Vt Bos.  4900 

Weed,  Rev.  E.  P.,  Parma,  N.  Y N.  Y.  4871 

Weeks,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Claremont,  N.  II...  Bos.  3878 

Weller,  Rev.  S.  II.,  Lane,  111 Chi.  4110 

Wells,  Rev.  M.,  Hartland,  Wis Mil.  4625 

Wells,  Rev.  M.  L..  Liberty,  Ind Ind.  4479 

Wells,  Rev.  Shepherd,  St.  Louis Peo.  3871 

Weston,  Rev.  Ebon,  Henry,  111 Peo.  3867 

Wetherly,  Rev.  Chas.,  N.  Cornwall,  Ct.  Har.  4666 

Wheatley,  Samuel  P.,  St.  Louis St.  L.  3761 

Wheeler  (2),  Rev.  A.,  Sandusky,  Ohio.  Cin.  4413 

Wheeler,  C.  H.,  Auburn,  N.  Y Pha.  5029 

Wheeler,  Rev.  N.  J.,  Skowhegan,  Me.  Bos.  3885 

White,  David  Henry,  Stamford,  Ct Pha.  4432 

White,  Leonard,  Cazenovia,  N.  Y Uta.  3783 

White,  Rev.  0.  H.,  Boston Pha.  4923 

Whitman,  Rev.J.S.,  Williamsto'n.Ms.  Bos.  5017 

Whitney,  C.  H.,M.  D.,Fitchburg,  Mass.  Bos.  4240 

Whitney,  F.  A.,  Leominster,  Mass Bos.  4393 

Whitney,  J.  F.,  Boston Bos.  4035 

Wickcrehaiu,  J.  A..  Locust  Grove,  O...  Cin.  6001 

Wight,  Rev.  W.H.,  Barnard  Centr.-,Vt.  Wn.  4790 

Wightn)!in,OliverC.,Jordanville,N-Y.  Uta.  3785 

Wilburn,  Jus.  A.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich...  Det.  3981 

Wiley,  J.,  Washington,  Pa Pbg.  4058 

Wilkinson.  Rev.  W.  C.,  Cincinnati Cin.  4409 

Willard,  Kev.  E.  P..  C.iyuga,  N.  Y Buf.  4209 

Williams,  Kev.  E.  8.,  NorthflelU  Minn.  St.  P.  2601 

Williams,  Rev.  F.  F.,  Framingham.Ms.  Bos.  5040 

Williams,  Rev.  Geo.,  Bangor,    Me Bos.  4405 

Williams,  J.  K.,  Andover  Theol.  Sem.  Bos.  4531 

Williams,  Rev.  M.,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind...  Pbg.  4054 

Williams,  Rev.  Owen  A.,  Brooklyn....  Bkn.  4072 

Williams.  Robert  H.,  Frederick  Md...  Bal.  3920 

Williams,  Rev.  W.  S.,  Memphis St.  L.  4940 

Williamson,  Rev.  R.  D.,  Hoffmann's 

Ferry,  N.Y Pha.  4356 

Williamson,  R.  H.,  Lansingburg,  N.Y.  Pha.  4696 


638 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


Williston,  M.  L.,  Northampton,  Mass.  Bos.  5045 

Winker,  F.  W.,  Camp  Chase,  Ohio Cin.  4418 

Winne,  Nicholas,  Tennallytown,  D.  C.  Wn.  3803 

Winrow,  George,  Bowling  Green,  Ky.  Pha.  4636 

Winslow,  Rev.  E.,  New  Portland,  Me.  Bos.  4884 

Winslow,  Kenelm,  New  York N.  Y.  4682 

Walcott,  Dana  M.,  Natick.  Mass Bos.  4710 

Wood,  Rev.  F.  M.,  Carlisle  Station,  0.  Cin.  '4425 

Woodend,  Rev.  W.  W.,  Saltsburg,  Pa.  Pbg.  4833 

Woodruff,  N.  W.,  Theresa,  N.  Y Pha,  5060 

Woods,  Rev.  L.,  Cumberland,  Ohio Cin.  4018 

Worrell,  Rev.  B.  G.,  Prairie  City,  111..  Peo.  4608 


Wrenn,  Rev.  George  L.,  Chicago Chi.  4258 

Wright,  F.  D.,  Wnverly,  N.  Y Pha.  4357 

Wright  (2),  T.  G..  Wilbraham,  Mass...  Pha.  4577 

Wright,  Rev.  W.  B.,  Chicago Chi.  4259 

Wright,  Rev.  Wm.  H.,  Barnard,  Vt...  Bos.  5066 

Wycoff,  Rev.  J.  D.,  Peoria Peo.  4349 

Wyman,  E.  A.,  Essex,  N.  Y Pha.  4454 

Yates,  J.  F.,  Galena,  111 Chi.  4464 

Young,  Rev.  Alex.  II.,  S.  Salem,  Ohio.  Cin.  4460 

Young,  Geo.,  Starkville,  N.  Y Pha.  4602 

Young,  Priestly,  Worcester Bos.  4493 

Youngman,  B.  C.,  Mifflinburg,  Pa Pba.  3356 


COEEECTIONS. 

A  very  few  names  are  not  in  their  exact  alphabetical  position. 
Page  630. —  Far  Baron,  Rev.  .7.  L.,  read  Le  Baron,  Rev.  J. 

ADDITIONS. 

YEAR  1862. 
Osborne,  Rev.  Cyrus  P.,  Exeter,  N.  H.  Bos.        ...  I  Safford,  Henry,  Boston Bos. 


YEAR  1863. 


Abbott,  Rev.  J.  J.,  Whitins,ville,  Ms...  Bos. 
Chandler,  Rev.  A.,  Lempster,  N.  H....  Bos. 
Duffield,  Jr.,  Rev.  Geo.,  Adrian,  Mich.  Gbg. 
Rowland,  Jr.,  L.  P.,  Boston Bos. 


Story,  Joseph,  Boston 

Tobey,  E.  S.,  Boston 

Willis,  Geo.  F • 


Bos. 
Pha. 


YEAR  1864. 


Ayres,  Rev.  R.,  Hadley,  Mass. Bos. 

Clark,  F.  G.,  Francistown,  N.  II Bos. 

Cole,  Rev.  M.,  Gray,  Me Bos. 

Crocker,  J.  B.,  Yarmouth,  Mass. Bos. 

Cmickshanks,  Rev.  Jas.,  Spencer,  Ms.  Bos. 
Fanvell,  Rev.  Asa,  Haverhill,  Mass....  Bos. 
Haines,  Rev.T.V.,  Centre  Ossipee,  N.H.  Bos. 
Lane,  Rev.  J.  W.,  Whateley,  Mass Bos. 


Loomis,  Rev.  A.  G.,  Bethlehem,  Ct....  Bos.    1695 

Loud,  C.  N.,  Northampton,  Mass Bos.     2765 

Miles,  Rev.  J.  B.,  Charlestown,  Mass.  Bos. 

Monjean,  C.,  New  Ipswich,  N.  H Bos.     2761 

Newell,  Rev.  C.  H.,  E.  Templeton,  Ms.  Bos.     3492 
Stowe,*  Rev.  T.,  New  Bedford,  Mass..  Bos. 
Tripp,  Rev.  L.  S.,  N.  Sedgwick,  Me...  Bos. 
Tyrrell,  S.  J.,  Haydenville,  Me Bos.     3827 


YEAR  1865. 


Ellis,  W.  T.,  Worcester,  Mass Bos. 

Field,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  Bangor,  Me Bos. 


Leeds,  N.  C.,  Cambridgeport,  Mass....  Bos.    5078 
Morrill,  Rev.  A.  H.,  Bath,  Me Bos.    4893 


CHAPTER  XI. 

STORES.— SPECIAL  DIET  KITCHENS. 

UNDER  the  term  "Stores"  is  included  all  the  variety 
of  clothing,  food,  and  medicine,  which  the  Commission 
sent  to  the  army.  When  the  men  left  their  homes  for 
the  camp,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  these  extra  sup- 
plies were  naturally  among  the  first  things  thought  of 
by  their  friends.  As  a  consequence,  there  were  thou- 
sands of  private  jjackages,  from  single  families  or  associa- 
tions of  neighboring  families*  forwarded  to  the  soldiers. 
These  were  filled  with  delicacies  of  food,  articles  of 
clothing,  and  little  household  comforts,  and  were  sent 
through  the  express  companies  or  by  the  hand  of  per- 
sonal messengers.  Often  after  an  engagement  or  a 
movement  of  special  severity  or  importance,  a  deputa- 
tion of  one  or  more  citizens,  going  voluntarily  or  by  re- 
quest, would  visit  the  troops  from  their  community, 
carrying  down  letters  and  packages  from  friends, 
administering  such  relief  as  might  be  practicable,  and 
bringing  back  such  sick  or  disabled  soldiers  as  might 
be  furloughed  for  the  purpose.  The  pastors  of  the 
churches  were  sometimes  represented  in  these  deputations, 
and  thus  foreshadowed  the  more  systematic  and  compre- 
hensive labors  of  the  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Com- 

639 


640  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

mission.1  When  the  Commission  was  first  organized  it 
seemed  that  an  important  part  of  its  work  might  be 
done  by  facilitating  and  guarding  this  transfer  of  private 
packages,  and  thus  keeping  open  the  communication 
between  the  soldiers  and  their  homes.  But  as  the  army 
increased  and  the  war-line  lengthened,  this  kind  of 
service  became  more  difficult.  The  location  of  the 
troops  was  constantly  changing.  Often  the  movements 
were  sudden  and  secret,  and  to  a  great  distance,  so  that 
it  was  impossible  to  foretell,  even  for  a  day,  where  a 
particular  regiment  or  company  might  be.  Moreover, 
as  the  national  feeling  developed  itself,  and  the  people 
became  adjusted  to  a  state  of  war,  it  was  seen  that  their 
benevolence,  to  be  efficient  and  economical,  should  be 
organized  in  accordance  with  a  broad  and  systematic 
method.  The  sending  of  private  packages  was  to  a 
great  extent  abandoned ;  local  associations  became  tribu- 
tary to  national  societies?  and  distribution  was  made 
impartially  to  the  men  from  all  sections,  as  necessity  or 
opportunity  might  determine. 

The  business  of  gathering  and  forwarding  stores  soon 
reduced  itself  to  system.  At  first,  because  of  universal 
inexperience,  there  was  lack  of  judgment  in  the  articles 
selected  and  in  the  manner  of  packing  them.  But  ex- 
perience improved  all  this,  and  loss  or  injury  became 
rare.  It  was  seen  that  many  articles,  of  a  perishable 

1  In  addition  to  the  names  of  early  Christian  laborers  in  the  army,  given  in 
the  first  two  chapters  of  these  Annals,  mention  should  be  made  of  Eev.  Byron 
Porter,  of  Shelocta,  Pa.,  and  Mr.  John  Ealston,  of  Elderton,  Pa.,  who  visited 
the  Eastern  armies  in  company  in  January,  1862;  and  Eev.  S.  H.  Emery,  of 
Quincy,  111.,  who  visited  the  Western  armies  in  February,  1862.  These  men 
took  stores  with  them,  engaged  in  various  religious  efforts,  and  did  substantially 
the  work  of  Christian  Commission  Delegates. 


STORES.  641 

kind  or  suddenly  requisite  for  an  emergency,  could  be 
better  purchased  by  the  Commission  as  needed.  The 
voluntary  supplies  therefore  became  mainly  confined  to 
such  things  as  were  produced  or  manufactured  at  the 
homes  of  the  donors.  But  these  were  neither  few  in 
number  nor  of  small  value.  The  estimated  cash  value 
of  the  stores  and  publications  donated  to  the  Commission 
is  put  down  as  $2,953,767.75.  Of  this  sum  not  more 
than  $150,000  was  in  the  form  of  publications,1 — leaving 
$2,800,000  as  the  value  of  donated  stores.  The  Com- 
mission expended  about  one-third  of  its  cash  receipts,  or 
over  $800,000,  in  the  same  direction, — making  the  item 
of  stores  distributed  through  this  channel  equal  co  a 
money  value  of  $3,600,000. 

The  increase  in  the  amount  of  stores  donated  to  the 
Commission  from  year  to  year  was  very  rapid, — $142,- 
150,  the  first  year;  $385,829.07,  the  second;  $1,297,- 
755.28,  the  third;  and  $1,115,457.75  during  four 
months  of  the  fourth  year,— at  the  rate  of  $3,346,373.25 
for  the  year.  This  increase  was  mainly  due  to  the  con- 
stant extension  of  benevolent  labors  for  the  soldiers,  but 
was  due  also  in  part  to  the  fact  that  local  societies,  which 
had  previously  operated  independently  or  through  other 
channels,  became  auxiliaries,  in  constantly  growing 
numbers,  to  the  Commission.  The  records  of  all  the 
offices  show  this,  but  none  in  a  manner  so  striking  as 
Pittsburg  and  Cincinnati.  The  remarkable  growth  in 
their  receipts  of  stores  has  been  noticed,  but  this  was 
probably  not  greater, — certainly  not  in  the  case  of 
Cincinnati, — than  the  increase  in  the  number  of  their 
local  tributaries. 

1  This  does  not  include  donated  Scriptures  and  Hymn  Books. 


642  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

But  these  large  figures  give  a  very  indefinite  notion  of 
the  facts  they  represent.  The  numerical  statement  can  be 
written  in  a  few  lines,  and  read  in  a  few  moments,  hut  the 
labors  they  imply  occupied  the  thoughts  and  hands  of  tens 
of  thousands  of  patriotic  men  and  women  during  many 
weeks  and  months.  Every  package,  and  almost  every 
article  in  the  package,  had  a  double  history, — as  related 
to  those  from  whom  it  came  and  to  those  among  whom  it 
was  distributed.  The  statistical  tables,  the  facts  con- 
tained in  the  chapter  on  Auxiliaries,  the  narratives  of 
work  done  in  the  Eastern  and  Western  armies,  and 
numerous  incidents  mentioned  elsewhere,  will  enable 
the  reader  to  estimate  the  place  which  these  various 
articles  of  bodily  comfort  held  among  the  instrumentali- 
ties of  the  Commission.  A  single  case  will  be  given  in 
detail,  as  a  specimen  of  thousands,  to  show  how  these 
"donated  stores"  were  gathered  and  forwarded.  Lam- 
bertville  is  a  small  town1  in  Hunterdon  County,  New 

1  The  Philadelphia  North  American,  in  its  issue  of  October  2,  1862,  thus 
writes  about  the  benevolent  activity  of  the  smaller  towns:  —  "A  vast  deal  of 
the  warmest  benevolence  and  charity  blooms  in  out-of-the-way  places.  Stand- 
ing in  front  of  the  rooms  of  the  Christian  Commission  may  be  seen  at  all  times 
a  collection  of  home-made  packages  awaiting  shipment  to  the  soldiers.  A 
small  proportion  of  these  are  addressed  to  individuals,  but  the  bulk  of  them 
are  bread  cast  upon  the  waters  of  benevolence,  for  distribution  among  all  who 
need  the  medicaments,  as  far  as  they  will  go.  And,  looking  over  the  addresses 
of  the  boxes,  we  find  them  coming  from  remote  and  obscure  places  quite  as 
often  as  from  well-known  towns, —  from  places  set  down  upon  neither  map  nor 
guide-book, —  the  contributions  of  people  who  read,  and  agonize  as  they  read 
over  human  suffering.  The  acknowledgment  of  these  offerings  by  the  Christian 
Commission  is  equivalent  to  the  study  of  geography  in  its  utmost  detail. 
'Villes'  and  'boroV  hitherto  unknown  are  represented  by  rudely-made 
boxes,  directed  with  extemporized  marking  brush,  or  laboriously  printed  with 
pen  and  ink,  but  rich  in  contents,  and  most  welcome  to  the  soldier.  From  a 
little  hamlet,  at  the  foot  of  the  Alleghenies,  came  yesterday  a  rough  box  con- 
taining one  hundred  pounds  of  tart  jelly,  the  offering  of  Christian  women  who 


STORES.  643 

Jersey, — containing  in  1860  a  population  of  2,699. 
Some  of  the  smaller  villages  adjacent  co-operated  in  the 
work  for  the  soldiers.  On  Sunday,  October  6,  1861,  a 
call  was  read  in  the  different  churches  of  Lambertville, 
for  a  meeting  "to  consider  the  subject  of  supplying 
clothing  and  reading-matter  to  the  troops  now  in  the 
field  for  the  defence  of  the  Government."  The  meeting 
was  held  the  next  evening.  Addresses  were  made, 
letters  read,  and  a  committee  appointed  to  raise  money 
for  immediate  necessities.  Three  days  after  a  Ladies' 
Aid  Society  was  formed  and  systematic  operations  begun. 
The  town  was  divided  into  districts  and  collectors  ap- 
pointed, who  solicited  monthly  subscriptions  from  all. 
Festivals  and  celebrations  were  held  from  time  to  time, 
to  aid  in  supplying  requisite  means.  The  community 
was  canvassed  for  all  kinds  of  suitable  stores.  In  one 
of  their  reports  the  ladies  say,  "  In  the  special  efforts, 
for  raising  both  funds  and  hospital  stores,  much  aid  has 
been  received  from  the  farmers  and  others  in  the  sur- 
rounding country  and  villages  on  both  sides  of  the 
river."  These  efforts  were  usually  preceded  by  public 
announcement,  sometimes  in  the  form  of  a  little  circular 
put  into  each  house,  as  was  the  case  after  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg;  the  gatherers  would  then  pass  around;  and 
the  average  result  for  each  of  such  benevolent  "  raids," 
according  to  the  returns  made  from  seven  of  them,  was 
twenty  boxes  and  barrels.1  It  was  also  the  custom  of 

had  culled  the  fruit  and  prepared  it  in  their  intervals  of  leisure.  A  barrel  of 
dried  rusk  we  saw,  coming  from  a  town  of  which  the  name  had  been  partially 
obliterated,  and  of  which  no  one  could  give  even  an  approximate  guess." 

1  The  despatch  with  which  the  country  towns  made  up  and  forwarded  their 
stores  was  often  as  noticeable  as  their  liberality.  Within  three  days  the  town 
of  Elkhorn,  Wisconsin  (population  in  1860  was  1,081),  forwarded  twenty-one 


644  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  Society  to  make  and  put  up,  at  the  proper  season, 
quantities  of  currant  jelly,  blackberry  wine,  canned 
tomatoes,  and  fruits,  pickles,  etc.  This  was  sometimes 
done  by  individual  members  at  home,  and  sometimes  by 
united  effort  at  a  designated  time  and  place.  Material 
was  purchased  for  hospital  clothing,  and  the  garments 
cut  and  manufactured  by  the  ladies.  At  stated  or 
special  meetings  their  goods  were  packed  and  forwarded, 
carefully  invoiced  and  marked, — each  package  contain- 
ing the  post-office  address  of  some  officer  of  the  Society, 
so  that  its  receipt  and  distribution  could  be  acknowledged 
by  the  agent  or  Delegate  into  whose  hands  it  should 
come.  Many  and  precious  were  the  letters  thus  re- 
ceived,— from  the  armies  East  and  West,  from  various 
hospitals,  and  even  from  Libby  Prison, — encouraging 
and  stimulating  the  noble  band  of  workers  to  continued 
endeavors.  As  the  total  result  of  their  labors,  these 
ladies  raised  $4,094.83  >  -cash,  $1,600  worth  of  stores, 
to  which  was  added  $700  worth  of  sewing  upon  gar- 
ments ;  and,  as  a  final  offering,  $1,500  toward  a  monu- 
ment to  the  deceased  soldiers  from  their  community, — 
making  in  all  $7,894.83.  To  this  the  efficient  army 
committee  of  the  place,  under  the  lead  of  Mr.  J.  A. 
Anderson,  added  $3,619.50, — so  that  the  offering  of 
Lambertville  for  this  one  object  may  be  set  down  at 
$11,514.33.  And  at  the  end  of  the  work  they  were 
vastly  richer  in  experience  and  noble  sentiment  and 
hallowed  memories  than  at  the  beginning.  This  sugges- 

barrels  to  Milwaukee.  Within  twenty  hours,  following  the  news  of  a  battle, 
the  town  of  Milton,  Pennsylvania  (population  1,702  in  1860),  sent  stores  esti- 
mated by  Governor  Pollock  to  be  worth  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  for  each 
mini,  woman,  and  child  in  the  place. 


STORES.  645 

tive  record  could  be  duplicated  many  times,  and  yet  the 
full  story  of  these  local  societies  remain  untold. 

It  was  said  that  every  package  had  a  home-history. 
The  agent  at  Point  Lookout,  Rev.  L.  Hartsough  (a 
faithful  and  efficient  man),  received  "a  neat  box  stowed 
full  of  nice  fruit, — just  what  was  needed."  It  was  from 
Andover,  Massachusetts,  and  among  the  contents  was 
this  letter :  —  • 

The  thermometer  is  at  90°  in  the  shade,  a^nd  I  as  near  sick  as  need 
be,  when  in  rushes  Charlie,  who  had  been  to  the  river  to  bathe:  "Oh, 
mother;  I  have  just  found  a  spot  of  blackberries;1  and  you  know 
you  want  to  get  some  for  the  soldiers,  and  cannot  buy  any ;  so  come 
this  minute,  before  any  one  gets  them."  Could  I  go  ?  I  hesitate 
but  a  minute.  What  if  I  did  have  to  ache  for  the  venture?  I  have 
my  quiet  chair  and  house,  and  some  dear  boy  may  need  and  shall 
have  them.  So  I  go;  and  here  they  are, — only  a  few,  but  a  mother's 
blessing  goes  with  them.  I  did  not  get  sick,  although  the  heat, 
where  they  lay  drying  up,  was  intense,  as  Charlie  and  I  can  testify ; 
but  we  thought  of  the  soldiers,  and  did  not  leave  one.  Dear  nurse, 
do  n't  despise  the  little  box  I  send.  These  trifles  may  help  to  com- 
fort our  soldier  boys,  and  I  keep  sending,  and  shall,  as  long  as  they 
need  and  I  have  anything  to  send. 

1  Very  many  interesting  incidents  might  be  given,  of  the  gathering  of 
various  kinds  of  fruit  for  the  soldiers,  by  children  and  others.  A  pastor  in 
Sharon  Springs,  New  York,  writes:  — "  Our  Sabbath-school  has  been  black- 
berrying  for  the  Christian  Commission.  Several  days  were  appointed  in  which 
my  wife  would  receive  the  berries  and  prepare  them.  As  a  result  we  have  put 
up  about  eighty  quarts  in  tin  cans  of  two  quarts  each,  making  thirty  quarts  of 
jam."  The  Memorial  Record  of  the  New  York  Branch,  p.  24,  says  that  "a 
benevolent  gentleman  in  Connecticut,  having  charge  of  one  of  the  large  i-iah- 
lishments  for  condensing  milk,  had  notices  circulated  that  he  would  prepare 
and  forward,  without  charge  to  the  Commission,  all  the  blackberries  the  people 
would  pick  and  send  to  him.  Within  a  short  time  more  than  i-iijhtij  l»i,«lit'lx  were 
Bent  to  his  establishment.  These  were  prepared  without  delay,  and  forwarded 
to  the  rooms  of  the  Commission  in  New  York,  and  thence  sent  to  dili'erent 
points  where  troops  were  stationed  in  the  South." 


646  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

And  almost  every  article  had  a  history.  "  In  a  small 
town  of  New  Hampshire  a  Delegate1  of  the  Christian 
Commission  told  of  his  work  to  a  small  audience.  When 
the  boxes  were  passed,  an  old  man  of  eighty  put  in  a 
small,  red,  cotton  handkerchief.  The  collector,  think- 
ing he  had  made  a  mistake,  took  it  up  to  return  it ;  but 
he  made  a  sign  to  have  it  retained.  When  the  meeting 
was  over  the  clergyman  of  the  pftice  said  to  the  speaker : 
Captain  W.  has  given  you  the  last  thing  that  he  has, 
that  he  could  give.  A  few  years  ago  the  only  one  of 
his  sons  who  could  aid  him  came  home  to  take  charge 
of  his  aged  parents,  and  they  looked  to  him  for  support 
in  their  declining  years.  When  the  war  came  the  son 
felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  enlist.  He  went,  with  his  father's 
blessing,  and  he  now  fills  a  soldier's  grave  in  the  South.2 

1  Prof.  E.  T.  Quimby,  of  Hanover,  N.  H.     Prof.  Quimby  deserves  special 
mention,  as  showing  the  manner  in  which  the  Commission  was  sustained  at 
home,  after  being  served  in  the  field,  by  its  Delegates.     He  gave  a  term  of 
service  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  in  1863,  and  another  to  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  in  1864 ;  and  spent  a  large  portion  of  his  Sabbaths,  from  1863  to  the  end 
of  the  war,  in  making  addresses  throughout  New  Hampshire, —  raising  a  large 
amount  of  money  and  stores  for  the  Commission,  and  securing  many  excellent 
Delegates. 

2  The  motive  which  sent  our  soldiers  to  the  field,  and  the  spirit  which  pre- 
vailed in  the  homes  that  sent  them,  cannot  be  better  expressed  than  in  the 
subjoined  letters.    The  first  is  from  a  Christian  soldier  to  his  little  daughter,— 
being,  as  it  proved,  his  last  letter,  written  the  day  before  he  received  his  fatal 
\yound :  — 

FORT  BAKER,  October  20,  1864. 

Dear  Lottie :  I  found  a  small  white  envelope  among  the  others  that  you  put 
into  my  box  before  I  came  away  from  home,  and  I  knew  that  Lottie  put  it  there, 
because  she  wanted  me  to  write  to  her.  Well,  it  always  does  us  good  to  please 
those  that  love  us ;  and  I  am  glad  to  think  that  my  little  girl  would  be  pleased 
to  have  me  write  to  her.  It  is  a  pleasant  task  for  me ;  and  the  thought  of  good, 
loving  children  at  home,  who  think  of  me  every  day,  who  for  my  sake  are  trying 
to  be  good  to  their  mother,  and  make  her  happy,  is  a  source  of  comfort,  encour- 
agement, and  consolation,  that  I  cannot  describe  with  my  pen,  nor  tell  with 


STORES.  047 

When  he  fell,  the  old  man  supported  himself  and  his 
aged  wife  by  his  labor.  He  is  utterly  penniless.  He 

ray  tongue.  How  fur  this  thought  goes,  or  how  much  it  contributes  to  reconcile 
me  to  the  separation  that,  for  their  sakes,  I  have  voluntarily  endured,  you  can 
never  realize  until  like  circumstances  call  forth  like  feelings ;  and  I  earnestly 
pray  that  this  may  never  be.  I  know  that  you  do  not  now  realize  that  I  am 
here  because  I  love  you,  and  that  you  do  not  appreciate  the  necessity  of  my  being 
here.  But  by-and-by,  when  you  grow  up,  you  will  understand  things  better; 
and  when  you  read  in  history  of*  this  war,  and  of  its  causes  and  objects,  you  will 
be  glad  that  your  father  left  home  when  you  were  a  little  girl,  and  went  forth  to 
contend  for  the  right.  You  will  love  me  all  the  more  then,  and  so  will  all  the 
rest  of  my  children.  This  is  the  thought  that  encourages  and  consoles  me; 
and  then,  besides  this,  the  consciousness  of  none  other  than  good  and  pure 
motives, —  and  above  all,  the  consolation,  from  day  to  day,  that  religion  affords 
me, — all  contribute  to  make  me  happy,  even  while  the  constant,  longing, 
lingering  anxiety  about  my  home  and  family  keeps  them  every  moment  in  my 
thoughts.  Try  and  be  good,  Lottie,  if  you  love  me,  and  want  to  do  what  you 
can  to  make  me  happy.  Be  good  to  your  mother  and  grandmother,  and  brothers 
and  sisters.  Try  to  be  good  to  the  Lord,  and  then  you  will  be  happy  yourself, 
and  everybody  will  love  you;  and  if  I  should  never  see  you  again  on  earth,  we 
shall  meet  in  heaven.  I  pray  for  you  many  times  every  day,  and  I  want  you  to 
pray  for  yourself  and  me.  Try  to  learn  in  your  books ;  go  to  school  and  Sunday- 
school  always,  when  you  can.  Save  this  letter  until  you  get  older.  Tell  Hurry  1 
will  write  to  him  before  long;  and  Freddy,  that  I  mean  to  send  him  some  pretty 
stones  I  have  picked  up  for  him.  Kiss  all  the  family  for  me,  from  grandma  to 
the  baby,  and  love  them  all.  God  bless  you.  FATHER. 

The  second  letter  is  from  bereaved  and  stricken  parents  to  a  Delegate  of  the 
Christian  Commission  :  — 

WESTMINSTER,  MASS.,  June  22,  1864. 

Dear  Sir:  In  behalf  of  my  wife  I  hasten  to  answer  your  kind  letter  to  her, 
which  she  received  last  evening,  giving  us  the  sad  intelligence  that  our  dear 
boy,  Charlie,  is  wounded  in  the  arm;  and  we  unitedly  give  you  our  hearty 
thanks  for  this  information.  We  have  an  older  son,  who  was  wounded  on  the 
3d  of  this  month,  in  the  arm,  and  is  in  the  hospital  at  Alexandria;  and  another 
one,  who  died  in  the  hospital,  m-ar  Virksburg,  last  July;  and  another  one 
still,  who  was  discharged  from  a  hospital  in  Virginia,  after  lying  there  about 
four  months,  with  broken-down  health.  And  I  think  we  have  hearts  to  say, 
"The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done,"  in  all  these  events.  May  the  Lord  bless  you 
in  your  labors  of  love  for  the  poor  soldiers  and  our  beloved  country. 

J.  M. 
S.  B.  M. 


648 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


recently  told  me  that  he  would  be  glad  to  do  something 
for  benevolence,  but  '  for  six  months,'  said  he,  *  I  have 
had  but  three  cents  of  my  own.' " 

The  variety  and  amount  of  stores  sent  by  the  Com- 
mission to  the  army  will  be  best  appreciated  by  an 
examination  of  the  following  list.  These  articles  were 
sent  from  the  Central  Office  alone  to  the  troops  before 
Richmond,  within  a  period  of  three  months.  During 
the  same  time  heavy  shipments  were  made  from  the 
Central  and  Branch  Offices  to  the  troops  in  the  West 
and  South. 

Stores  distributed  by  the  U.  S.  Christian  Commission,  during  the  months 
of  May,  June,  and  July,  1864,  in  the  Armies  operating  against 
Richmond. 

CLOTHING,  HOSPITAL  GARMENTS,  ETC. 

Arm-slings 469 


Bandages,  rolls 35,339 

Bedticks 41 

Blankets 337 

Blankets,  Rubber 52 

Buckles 288 

Buttons,  cards 2 

Caps 303 

Coats 84 

Collars 22 

Cotton,  spools 97 

Crutches,  pairs 1,252 

Drawers 10,439 

Dressing  Gowns 426 

Eye-shades 12 

Gloves,  pairs 93 

Handkerchiefs 9,077 

Hats 1,848 

Housewives <£.  920 

Lint,  large  cases 51 

Muslin,  pieces 6 


Musquito  Frames,  sets 509 

Musquito  Nets 708 

Neck-ties 45 

Needles 4,100 

Pads 3,634 

Pantaloons 77 

Pantaloons,  Rubber 4 

Pillows 2,655 

Pillow  Cases 1,457 

Pins,  papers 4 

Pin  Cushions 24 

Quilts  and  Spreads 412 

Sheets 1,040 

Shirts 14,570 

Shoes,  pairs 161 

Slippers,  pairs 2,060 


Socks,  pairs 

Suspenders,  pairs. 
Thread,  pounds.... 
Towels 

Vests.... 


11,500 

2,436 

13 

5,376 
122 


1  Address  of  Charles  Demond,  Esq.,  before  the  Alumni  of  Williams  Col- 
lege, 1865. 


STORES. 


649 


ARTICLES   OF  FOOD,  ETC. 


Apples.  Dried,  pounds  

3,955 
394 
66 
596 
6,350 
2 
736 
'    163 
1,080 
946 
906 
11 
10,217 
5,950 
2,472 
194 
2 

3,083 
7,600 
4,004 
48 
154 
28,266 
3 
1-2 
12 
9,805 
2 

2,031 
1,400 
15,600 
402 
1  2,121  5 
454 
288 
4,543 
15 
141 
33 
297 
12,564 

Lard,  pounds  

60 
709 
2 
2,952 
8,800 
38,290 
3,888 
9 
427 
57 
341 
243 
3,150 
380 
98 
6 
3,910 
500 
196 
362 
10 
13 
216 
120 
7 
463 
18,127 
179 
2,529 
2,720 
40 
i      319 
1,809 
18,178 
10 
5,644 
10 
21« 
100 
288 

Barley     pound*        

Beef  Dried   pounds  

Meats,  assorted,  cans  
Meats,  assorted,  pounds  
Milk,  Condensed,  cans  
Mutton,  canned,  pounds  
Nutmegs,  pounds  
Oat  Meal   pounds  

Beef  Tea,  pounds  

Bologna  Sausage,  pounds  
Bread  loaves        ...           •    . 

Broina    pounds  

Butter,   pounds  

Onions,  barrels  

Catsup  bottles 

Corn  Starch,  pounds..  
Cheese    pounds  

Peaches  cans  

Peaches,  Dried,  pounds  

Chocolate,  pounds  

Pickles,  assorted,  gallons  

Coffee  Extract  bottle**  

Quinces,  fresh,  boxes  

Condiments,  assorted,  pounds. 

Salmon,  canned,   pounds  
Silt   bags                 •'          •••• 

Duck,  canned,  pounds  

Sardines    cans  

Flavoring  Extracts,  bottles... 

Roast  Beef,  canned,  pounds.. 
Rusk,  Dried,  pounds  

Fruits,  Dried,  pounds  
Fruit  Syrup  bottles   

Gelatine,  pounds  
Goose,  canned,  pounds..  

Tongue,  Beef,   pounds  
Turkey,  canned,  pounds.  

Herrin"   boxes  

Honey,  bottle**  

Veal,  canned,  pounds  

Ice    tons  

Yeast  Powder  paper**  

Jellies,  can-.... 

650 


ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


MEDICINES,  STIMULANTS,  ETC. 


Alcohol  bottles 

414 

Liniment,  bottles  

1,402 
43 
1 
5 
17 
1 
140 
3 
50 
4 
885 
5,721 

1.210 
10 
24,302 

0  872 

Ale  and  Porter,  bottles  
Bay  Rum,  bottles  
Brandy,  bottles  

..     5,284 
..     1,322 
..     3,597 
10 
1 
76 
832 
68 

Liquors,  assorted,  bottles  
Medicines,  assorted,  bottles.. 
Medicines,  assorted,  chest  
Mutton  Tallow,  cans  
Oil,  bottles  
Pills    box 

Chloride  of  Soda,  cask  
Cider,  bottles..  

Cordial    bottles 

Raspberry,  bottles  
Salt^  Ep^om  bottle5* 

Dover  Powders,  pounds.... 
Elixir  Tonic,  pounds  

3 
120 

g 

Salve,  boxes   

Whisky,  bottles  

Winp     Knttlf>« 

1  1  )A 

Jamaica  Ginger,  bottles  4,618 

MISCELLANEOUS  ARTICLES. 
Axe''                                                                      %f)     Mntr>lipe   Virwpe 

Baskets  

11 

60 

Pans,  Iron  

Paper,  Writing,  quires  

Buckets 

49 

Camp  Kettles,  nests  
Candles,  pounds  

31 
.      1,201 
°4 

Pen  Holders   

1,028 
59 
294 
6 
239 
60 
2,499 
63 
1,236 
11 
884 
180 
18 
24 

656 

Pens,  gross  

Plates 

Catheter4* 

J9 

Saws  

.       2,316 
3 

393 

Cream  Freezers  
Cups  and  Saucers 

Sick  Feeders   

Soap,  pounds  

..  468,500 
6  725 

Fans  

Funnels  

10 

Tin  Can5* 

Grates  

1° 

Tin  Cups  
Wa«h  Basins       

Hospital  Tables  

6 
276 
*  /f"       14 

Ink,  bottles  

Wash  Tubs 

Kettles  

Water  Pails 

Knives  and  Forks  
Lanterns  

880 
»            59 

Hospital    Stores,    assorted, 
not  enumerated  above, 
cases.... 

Lemon  Squeezers  

25 

STOKES.  651 

Special  mention  must  be  made  of  the  comfort-bags  or 
housewives,  of  which  the  above  list  contains  nearly  five 
thousand.  These  were  little  bags  of  various  shapes  and 
sizes,  filled  with  needles,  pins,  thread,  yarn,  buttons, 
etc., — often  containing  a  pair  of  scissors,1  thimble,  steel 
pens,  lead  pencil,  handkerchiefs,  and  such  other  articles. 
A  housewife  was  not  complete  without  a  letter  from  the 
maker  to  the  soldier  who  should  receive  it,  or  at  least  a 
Testament  or  tract  giving  her  address.  These  "  needle 
albums,"  arf  one  soldier  happily  called  them,  were  of 
great  service  to  the  men,  in  aiding  them  in  the  homely 
duty  of  keeping  their  clothes  in  repair,  and  they  were 
highly  prized  also  as  tokens  of  love  and  remembrance 
from  the  children  of  the  country.  For  they  were  manu- 
factured principally  by  the  Sunday-school  children,  and 
were  sent  to  the  army  by  tens  of  thousands.  Many  of 
them  were  made  of  fine  material,  and  tastefully  elabo- 
rated, but  the  majority  and  more  serviceable  were  plain 
and  strong.  The  men  were  eager  to  get  them ;  the 

1  Rev.  Dr.  J.  P.  Thompson,  of  New  York,  who  was  in  Tennessee  and 
Georgia,  as  a  Delegate  of  the  Commission,  in  the  spring  of  1864,  relates  this 
incident  in  his  work  at  Dalton  :  —  "  We  saw  a  newly-opened  grave.  It  was  for 
a  Michigan  boy  of  eighteen,  who  had  been  shot  down  at  the  side  of  his  father, 
who  was  a  private  in  the  same  company.  The  father  sat  beside  the  grave, 
carving  his  boy's  name  upon  a  rude  headboard.  It  was  his  first-born.  I  took 
him  by  the  hand,  and  gave  him  all  my  heart;  offered  a  prayer,  which  Brother 
Holmes  followed  with  appropriate  words.  There  was  no  .coffin,  but  a  few 
pieces  of  board  were  laid  in  the  bottom  of  the  grave,  between  the  body  and  the 
bare  ground.  '  Wrap  him  in  this  blanket,'  said  the  father;  'it  is  one  his  sister 
sent  him.  Ah  me  !  how  will  they  bear  it  at  home?  What  will  his  poor  mother 
do?  She  must  have  a  lock  of  his  hair.'  I  stooped  to  cut  the  lock  with  my 
penknife,  when  a  soldier  came  forward  with  a  pair  of  scissors  from  his  little 
'housewife.'  My  heart  blessed  the  Sabbath-school  child  who  had  made  that 
timelv  gift.  And  so,  having  rendered  the  last  offices  of  faith  and  affection,  we 
laid  the  brave  boy  in  his  grave,  while  the  cannon  were  still  roaring  the  doom 
of  others,  young  and  brave,  whom  we  had  just  left  on  the  field." 


652  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

precious  letters  they  contained  were  sure  to  go  the 
rounds  of  the  company  or  mess,  and  were  sure  of  being 
answered  by  the  proud  recipients ;  and  best  of  all,  not 
a  few  dated  their  Christian  life  from  the  simple  and 
earnest  entreaty  of  some  Sunday-school  child,  who 
through  these  little  gifts  assured  them  that  they  were 
daily  remembered  in  prayer.  And  thousands  of  chil- 
dren were  made  glad  and  thoughtful  by  the  answers 
that  came  to  them  from  the  camp  and  hospital.  One 
instance  may  be  given:  —  Clara  Lizzie  E.,  seven  years 
old,  living  in  Hamilton,  Mass.,  made  some  comfort-bags, 
which  she  sent  to  the  Christian  Commission  at  Boston 
to  distribute.  In  each  was  a  simple  letter  from  her  to 
the  soldier  who  should  receive  it.  In  return  she  re- 
ceived the  following  letters,  which  give  the  history  of 
one  of  her  gifts:  — 

CAMP  OF  THE  NINETY-SECOND  REGIMENT,  N.  Y.  VOLUNTEERS,  "| 

EIGHTEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  NEAR  BERMUDA  HUNDRED,  VA.      I 

WEDNESDAY  EVENING,  September  28,  18Q4.         ) 

My  dear,  kind  little  Friend :  — 

I  should  think  myself  very  unkind,  and  not  worthy  of  the  blessed 
comfort-bag  that  you  were  kind  enough  to  make  for  a  stranger,  did  I 
not  write  you  a  few  lines  to  let  you  know  what  soldier,  out  of  the 
many  thousands  who  are  now  fighting  for  the  star-spangled  banner, 
received  it,  and  how  thankful  he  was,  my  little  friend.  The  pen 
cannot  describe  nor  words  portray  to  you  how  thankful  we  soldiers 
are  to  receive  such  little  notions  from  even  strangers,  especially  the 
young  ladies.  We  are  happy  to  know  that  we  are  not  forgotten  by 
the  little  young  ladies.  I  thank  you  for  the  tracts.  I  promise  you  they 
will  all  be  read  by  myself,  and  given  to  my  brother  soldiers  for  the 
same  purpose.  Perhaps  my  little  friend  would  like  to  know  how  I 
came  to  get  her  comfort-bag.  Yesterday  evening  OUT  dear  chaplain 
invited  some  of  us  boys  down  to  his  tent  to  a  prayer-meeting.  After 
meeting,  he  said  he  had  been  able  to  procure  a  few  more  comfort- 


STORES.  653 

bags  from  the  Christian  Com  mission;  and  that  he  had  taken  this 
method  to  give  them  to  the  soldiers.  He  did  not  have  quite  enough 
to  go  around,  so  I  did  not  get  one,  but  he  assured  all  those  that  did 
not  get  one  that  he  would  remember  them  in  a  day  or  two.  This 
p.  M.  he  called  me  down  to  his  tent,  and  gave  me  your  welcome  com- 
fort-bag, which  I  again  thank  you  for.  We  are  under  marching 
order*.  I  shall  think  of  you  when  I  am  drinking  a  good  cup  of  tea, 
some  night  when  I  am  fatigued  by  the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life. 
I  have  been  a  soldier  almost  three  years,  and  my  time  is  out  next 
month.  I  live  in  the  Northern  part  of  the  State  of  New  York.  I 
think  you  must  be  a  smart  girl  of  seven,  to  make  so  many  little  bags 
and  fill  them  all  yourself,  without  the  help  of  some  kind  sister  or  a 
loving  mother.  Again  I  thank  you,  and  may  God  bless  you  and  all 
our  kind  friends  at  the  North.  Good-bye.  Your  friend, 

SAMUEL  GRIFFIN, 

Co.  G,  92d  tf.  T.  Vote.,  3d  Brigade,  1st  Division,  18th  Army  Corps. 

To  Miss  CLARA  LIZZIE  E. 

My  dear  little  heavenly  comforter,  this  letter  is  the  last  penning 
of  the  receiver  of  your  message  of  comfort  and  cheer.  He  was  killed 
just  twenty-four  hours  after  receiving  it.  The  letter  was  all  pre- 
pared for  mailing  before  he  left  camp.  May  God  bless  your  dear 
little  soul,  and  all  others  who  do  like  you,  pray  for  the  soldiers. 

H.  B.  SANFORD, 

Lieut.  Commanding  Co.  G,  92</  y.  T. 

It  has  been  shown  that,  although  the  Commission's 
work  was  mainly  an  attention  to  the  intellectual  and 
religious  wants  of  the  army,  this  work  could  not  be 
done  without  the  use  of  large  quantities  of  supplies  for 
bodily  comfort  and  relief.  This  is  manifest 'in  many  of 
the  narratives  and  incidents  that  have  been  given,  and 
might  be  still  further  illustrated  to  almost  any  extent. 
For  the  army-history  of  these  articles  was  certainly  not 
less  instructive  and  touching  than  their  home-history. 
It  would  be  needful  to  give  a  complete  account  of  every 
package  to  get  a  full  effect.  Not  to  attempt  a  review  of 


654  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

the  whole  subject,  of  the  many  ways  in  which  the  distri- 
bution of  stores  furthered  the  aims  of  the  Commission, 
one  form  of  this  ministry  should  be  dwelt  upon  some- 
what particularly, — the  preparation  of  suitable  food  for 
sick  and  disabled  men.  It  was,  for  obvious  reasons, 
principally  among  this  class  that  the  articles  of  food 
furnished  by  the  Commission  were  distributed.1  Those 
who  were  well  and  in  active  service  could  more  comfort- 
ably subsist  upon  the  ordinary  rations.  The  enfeebled 
appetite  of  the  sick  and  wounded  needed  something 
more  delicate  and  attractive.  It  was  no  small  nor  un- 
important part  of  the  Delegate's  duty,  in  his  rounds 
through  hospital  or  camp,  to  seek  out  those  who  were  in 
want  of  this  special  attention,  and  to  see  that,  under  the 
surgeon's  guidance,  they  received  it.  The  convenient 
form  in  which  many  articles  of  food  could  be  sent  to  the 
army, — as  preserved  fruits,  meats,  vegetables,  milk, 
etc., — rendered  this  an  easy  task  in  many  cases,  even 
where  there  was  no  opportunity  for  careful  cookery. 
Large  quantities  of  fresh  fruits,  even  of  the  more  perish- 
able kinds,  as  grapes,  berries,  peaches,  etc.,  were  also 
distributed,  as  many  of  the  hospitals  were  near  to  the 
markets  or  were  readily  reached  by  railroad.  A  few 

1  The  list  given  on  pp.  648-650  will  suggest  to  the  reader  a  special  care  for 
the  sick  and  wounded.  The  following  is  the  invoice  of  a  cargo  shipped  by  the 
Commission  from  Boston  in  the  schooner  Charlotte  Shaw,  which  arrived  at  City 
Point  a  few  hours  previous  to  a  severe  engagement,  if  afforded  great  comfort  to 
the  wounded.  The  articles  were,— 264  tons  of  ice;  125  bbls.  potatoes;  78  Ibs. 
onions ;  10  bbls.  turnips ;  900  cabbages,  in  crates ;  7500  Ibs.  codfish ;  70  boxes 
lemons ;  10  boxes  oranges ;  2  casks  prunes ;  5  bbls.  pickled  limes ;  5  kegs  tama- 
rinds ;  40  boxes  broma ;  40  boxes  cocoa ;  40  boxes  chocolate ;  10  bbls.  pickles ; 
10  ten-gallon  kegs  pickles ;  10  five-gallon  kegs  pickles ;  20  dozen  raspberry  syrup  ; 
10  dozen  ginger  syrup ;  5  dozen  lemon  syrup ;  20  dozen  red  currant  jelly ;  6 
dozen  raspberry  jam ;  10  dozen  blackberry  jam ;  200  dozen  condensed  milk. 


STORES.  655 

examples  will  be  of  interest.     Rev.  E.  P.  Smith  writes 
from  Nashville,  under  date  of  July  13,  1864:— 

I  am  buying  all  the  berries  brought  to  market,  for  ten  cents  per 
quart,  and  feeding  the  sick  in  these  hospitals.  I  had  eight  bushels 
this  morning,  and  shall  have  more  to-morrow.  Do  I  spend  money 
too  freely?  If  you  could  see  the -poor  fellows  eat  our  chickens,  and 
cry  over  a  saucer  of  blackberries,  you  would  not  ask  me  to  retrench. 
Mrs.  Smith  cooks  at  our  house  special  diet  dinners  for  the  patients 
of  hospital  No.  14.  Yesterday  she  went  in  with  her  pails  and  tubs 
and  baskets  around  among  the  cots.  One  man,  terribly  mangled 
in  the  shoulder,  tried  to  be  brave,  and  not  appear  to  need  anything. 
At  every  proposition  from  Mrs.  S.,  he  said,  "  No,  I  thank  you,"  even 
to  chicken  soup ;  but  when  he  saw  the  blackberries  his  courage  gave 
way.  He  would  take  some;  and  then  when  the  sugar  was  sprinkled 
on,  he  cried  out,  "Sugar,  too!  and  white  sugar  at  that;  that's  too 
much  ; "  and  he  Avas  obliged  to  ask  the  nurse  to  wipe  his  face.  The 
tears  were  blinding  him.  To-day  his  cot  was  empty.  It  was  his  last 
earthly  testimony  of  affection. 

On  receiving  a  shipment  of  grapes  at  Nashville,  in 
October,  1864,  Mr.  W.  A.  Lawrence  writes:  — 

Those  fifty  boxes  of  grapes!  Nothing  could  have  been  more 
appropriate.  The  ladies  went  through  the  wards,  giving  them  to  all 
the  men  on  the  cots,  under  the  direction  of  the  surgeons.  Pale,  thin 
hands,  contrasting  with  the  rich  purple  clusters  they  were  holding ; 
the  thanks,  smiles,  and  sometimes  tears,  of  the  soldiers ;  the  light 
step  and  full  hearts  of  the  distributors,  and  the  gratified  look  of  the 
surgeon  and  ward  officials, —  these  are  things  to  be  seen  and  felt,  but 
not  to  be  reported  on  raiper.  Every  grape  had  its  value,  and  reached 
its  spot.  Blessings  on  the  donors  of  those  clusters! 

A  Delegate,  a  student  in  Andover  Theological  Semi- 
nary, tells  this  story  of  a  peach:  — 

I  never  dreamed  that  so  much  good  could  be  accomplished  by 
such  simple  means.  A  basket  of  peaches  would  give  joy  to  a 


656  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

hundred  wounded  men.  I  shall  never  forget  the  case  of  William  C., 
a  Pennsylvania  soldier,  who  had  undergone  amputation  of  the  right 
thigh,  and  was  suffering  the  utmost  intensity  of  human  anguish. 
He  was  sinking  very  rapidly,  and  had  taken  no  nourishment  for 
several  days.  When  I  first  saw  him,  he  seemed  utterly  hopeless  of 
recovery.  His  wife  had  been  summoned  from  home;  but  it  was 
feared  that  he  would  die  before  it  was  possible  for  her  to  reach  him. 
I  took  a  nice  peach  from  my  basket ;  he  brightened  at  the  sight  of 
it.  I  pared  it  for  him,  and  put  it  in  his  mouth,  bit  by  bit ;  and  the 
look  of  gratitude  which  he  gave  me  was  ample  reward  for  the  whole 
six  weeks'  service.  Next  morning  I  went  to  his  bedside,  and  said, 
"What  can  I  do  for  you  this  morning?"  With  a  smile  he  whis- 
pered, "Have  you  got  another  peach  for  me?"  And  so  I  repeated 
the  operation  of  the  previous  morning.  For  a  whole  week  he 
lingered  along,  with  no  other  nourishment  than  his  morning  peach, 
and  the  thought  that  there  was  some  one  who  cared  for  him.  Mean- 
while his  wife  arrived,  and  cheered  his  last  hours  with  words  of 
Christian  hope.  He  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

But  from  the  first  more  or  less  attention  was  given  to 
the  special  preparation  of  food  for  the  disabled  soldiers. 
While  there  was  always  great  lack  in  this  respect,  and 
consequently  much  suffering,  more  than  can  be  readily 
understood  or  believed, — particularly  in  the  field  hospi- 
tals,— yet  not  a  little  was  done  to  mitigate  it.  Many  of 
the  hospitals,  in  the  earliest  days  of  the  war,  were  estab- 
lished in  Washington,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  Cincin- 
nati Louisville,  St.  Louis,  etc.,  and  in  these  cities  the 
ladies  at  once  organized  themselves  for  hospital  work. 
Under  direction  of  the  hospital  autrrorities,  committees 
of  ladies  were  in  constant  attendance  as  volunteer  nurses, 
and  delicacies  of  food  and  other  comforts  were  prepared 
in  their  homes  and  brought  with  them  in  their  hospital 
visits.  In  all  these  places  many  ladies,  whose  names 
will  never  be  known  to  the  public,  gave  themselves  to 


STORES.  657 

this  service  for  months, — to  their  own  spiritual  advan- 
tage and  the  unspeakable  comfort  of  the  suffering  men.1 
The  manner  in  which  these  labors  were  performed  is 
well  shown  in  the  first  annual  report  of  the  Ladies' 
Union  Relief  Association  of  Harrisburg,  Penna.,  as  pre- 
sented by  their  President,  Mary  8.  Beatty.  The  material 
portions  of  the  report  are  here  given  :  — 

At  the  close  of  a  year  since  our  organization,  it  seems  proper  that 
some  account  of  our  work  should  be  laid  before  this  community, 
which  has  so  liberally  aided  us  in  all  our  undertakings.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  the  preliminary  meeting  was  held  in  obedience  to 
a  call  signed  by  a  .number  of  ladies  and  published  in  our  daily 
papers.  This  call  was  heartily  responded  to  by  members  of  every 
denomination  in  the  city,  our  Hebrew  brethren  cordially  uniting 
with  us.  A  society  was  formed  under  the  name  of  "  Ladies'  Union 
Relief  Association  ; "  a  president,  vice-president,  and  executive  com- 
mittee were  elected,  and  a  constitution  adopted.  A  committee  was 
appointed  to  wait  upon  the  surgeon  in  charge  at  Camp  Curtin,  and 
obtain  his  consent  to  unite  with  him  in  endeavoring  to  alleviate,  in 
every  possible  way,  the  sufferings  of  our  noble  soldiers.  This  con- 
sent was  cheerfully  given,  and  the  association  at  once  took  measures 
to  begin  the  work. 

A  room  was  kindly  offered  in  a  private  house,  where  stores  could 
be  received,  and  where  they  soon  began  to  come  in  upon  us  in  great 
abundance.  "We  now  made  arrangements  to  carry  a  daily  meal  to 
Camp  Curtin,  a  mile  from  the  city.  To  this  end  twenty-four  ladies 
were  called  upon  every  morning,  through  the  public  papers,  to  pro- 
vide the  same  article  of  food, — one  day  rice  puddings,  one  day 
stewed  chickens,  one  iiy  soup,  another  vegetables,  another  fruit,  and 
another  home-made  bread  and  butter, — so  that  all  might  fare  alike; 

1  The  Princeton  Review  for  October,  1865  (p.  553),  says:  "The  Sanitary  and 
Christian  Commissions  [by  furnishing  occasion  and  motive  for  extraordinary 
benevolent  activity]  have  dispelled  the  cloud  that  has  settled  on  many  a  lonely, 
morbid,  introverted  soul  in  our  American  households.  They  have  done  scarcely 
less  good  at  home  than  they  have  done  at  the  front  and  in  the  hospital." 
83 


658  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

besides  which  wines,  cordials,  and  other  things  were  provided  for 
such  men  as  were  too  ill  to  be  fed  indiscriminately.  Two  young 
ladies  were  appointed  to  receive  these  articles  at  our  room,  Avhile 
from  four  to  six  ladies  were  required  to  accompany  and  dispense 
them  through  the  hospitals  at  Camp  Curtin.  There  were  at  this 
time  several  hundred  sick  and  wounded  men  here ;  so  it  will  be  seen 
that  both  time  and  labor  were  necessary  to  carry  out  our  plans. 
For  many  weeks  we  proceeded  in  this  way ;  then,  the  number  of 
men  diminishing,  sixteen  ladies  responded  daily  to  the  call  for  food  ; 
and  then  ten  daily. 

About  this  time  the  quartermaster-general  of  the  State,  the  late 
E.  C.  Hale,  placed  under  the  control  of  the  Association  the  vast 
amount  of  hospital  stores  which  had  been  sent  here  by  the  generous 
people  of  every  town,  village,  and  hamlet  of  the  State,  and  which 
we  endeavored  faithfully  to  distribute,  both  here  and  elsewhere. 
Vast  quantities  were  sent  away  to  Washington,  to  the  battle-field  of 
Antietam,  to  Louisville,  St.  Louis,  to  the  Christian  Commission, 
Sanitary  Commission,  and  to  individuals  wherever  and  whenever  we 
heard  they  were  required.  This,  too,  involved  a  vast  amount  of 
labor,  but  it  was  cheerfully  shared  by  all.  In  this  way  the  work 
wenf  on  until  late  in  the  autumn,  when,  with  permission  of  the  post 
surgeon,  we  had  a  kitchen  erected  on  the -hospital  ground  at  Camp 
Curtin.  Thither  four  ladies  of  the  Association  repaired  daily  at  9 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  remained  until  evening,  preparing  such 
food  as  was  deemed  suitable  for  the  men, — beef  tea,  beef  essence, 
gruels,  farina,  barley  water,  wine  whey,  soups,  tea,  chocolate,  and 
whatever  else  was  necessary.  Four  ladies  served  three  days,  and 
then  their  places  were  filled  by  four  others,  all  ready  and  willing  for 
the  work,  and  this  continued  without  intermission  until  the  small-pox 
prevailed  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  no  longer  considered  safe  to 
go  to  Camp  Cartin.  The  hospitals,  too,  were  closed,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  one,  and  the  men  brought  to  town,  wlrere  we  continued  our 
attentions  to  them. 

In  many  instances,  sick  and  dying  soldiers  have  been  removed 
from  the  hospitals  to  private  houses,  where  they  have  been  watched 
with  the  most  tender  care,  until  they  were  restored  to  health,  or  until 
death  released  them  from  their  sufferings.  I  must  not  neglect,  how- 
ever, here  to  say,  that  long  before  the  Union  Relief  Association 


STORES.  659 

was  formed,  soldiers'  aid  societies  existed  in  several  if  not  all  our 
churches,  whence  much  efficient  aid  emanated.  Those  societies  were 
all  merged  in  the  Union,  and  large  donations  in  money  generously 
*sent  to  our  treasury.  But  I  may  also  be  allowed  to  remark,  that  in 
preparing  food  for  the  hospitals  our  treasury  was  rarely  drawn  upon, 
each  lady  sending  the  articles  from  her  'own  house.  There  are  at 
this  time  six  hospitals  in  this  city,  all  filled  with  sick  and  wounded 
men,  to  the  number  of  several  hundred.  Our  Association  is  now  in 
active  operation.  We  have  sent  aid  to  Gettysburg,  York,  Cham- 
bersburg,  and  Carlisle.  Our  thanks  are  due  to  the  Branch  of  the 
United  States  Christian  Commission  now  established  in  our  city,  for 
permission  to  use  their  stores  where  our  own  are  deficient.  We  also 
return  our  grateful  acknowledgments  to  all  our  citizens  who  have 
assisted  us  whenever  we  required  it. 

And  in  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  many  of  the  early 
battle-fields  the  same  kind  of  work  was  done, — the  loyal 
ladies  doing  their  utmost  to  relieve  the  sufferers.  In 
October,  1862,  a  few  weeks  after  the  battle  of  Antietam, 
Mr.  Joseph  Ogden,  one  of  the  first  Delegates,  writes 
from  Frederick,  Md. :  — 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bantz  devote  nearly  their  whole  time  to  the  sick 
and  wounded.  [They  had  been  doing  this  for  more  than  a  year.] 
Mr.  Bantz  opens  and  distributes  stores  from  morning  till  night. 
Mrs.  Bantz  cooks  choice  dishes  and  sends  them  to  the  men. 
About  three  hundred  men  came  into  Frederick  last  night.  Mrs. 
Bantz,  being  apprised  of  their  coming,  had  a  barrel  and  a  half  of 
sandwiches  prepared  for  them.  The  ladies  of  Frederick  deserve  the 
highest  praise.  They^work  night  and  day  for  the  comfort  of  our 
poor  fellows.  They  re'ceive  sugar,  flour,  farina,  etc.,  from  the  Com- 
missions, convert  them  into  wholesome  diet,  and  send  them  out  to 
the  men.  And  our  men  appreciate  their  kindness.  They  come  in 
from  the  barns  and  outhouses  in  the  country,  filthy  and  hungry,  and 
are  clothed  and  fed  by  these  people. 

Annapolis, — where  paroled  and  exchanged  Union  pri- 


660  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

soners  were  received, — furnishes  another  instance.  Mrs. 
W.  E.  Boardman,  under  date  of  July  13,  1862,  gives  an 
interesting  account  of  a  visit  there, — carrying  with  her  a 
variety  of  stores  from  Philadelphia.  She  says  :  —  "Mrs. 
Governor  Bradford  and  Mrs.  Judge  Brewer  had  under- 
taken to  see  that  the  daily  food  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
in  the  hospital  was  well  cooked,  and  to  see  that  the 
physicians'  orders  were  obeyed  and  none  of  the  men 
neglected.  Finding  the  labor  too  much  for  the  few 
who  engaged  in  it,  they  made  an  appeal  to  the  Union 
women  of  the  town.  These  came  together,  organized 
themselves  into  a  Union  Benevolent  Society,  and  sup- 
plied the  needed  aid  for  the  great  work."  Such  are 
illustrations  of  valuable  and  efficient  services  rendered 
at  numerous  points  during  the  entire  period  of  the  war. 
The  same  spirit  that  prompted  such  labors  at  home 
determined  a  number  of  these  ladies  to  venture  them- 
selves within  army  lines.  Some  were  representatives  of 
benevolent  societies,  local  or  national ;  some  were  the 
wives  of  officers  or  men  in  the  service;  but  many  were 
independent  in  their  action, — gaining  access  to  the  army 
through  their  own  influence  or  that  of  friends,  and 
laboring  wherever  they  could  be  most  useful.1  These 
ladies  often  engaged  in  distributing  stores, — receiving 
them  from  the  Commissions  or  from  private  sources, — 

1  Rev.  E.  F.  Williams,  writing  from  the  Christian  Commission's  station  at  the 
City  Point  General  Hospital,  in  July,  1864,  says :  —  "  One  of  our  tents  is  occu- 
pied by  some  ladies  from  the  city  of  New  York,  who,  coming  out  independently 
of  any  association,  have  identified  themselves  with  the  Christian  Commission, 
and  have  drawn  from  our  stores.  The  surgeons  have  expressed  their  high  appre- 
ciation of  the  services  of  these  ladies ;  and  well  they  may,  for,  unlike  many 
others,  they  came  to  work  rather  than  to  satisfy  curiosity,  and  have  therefore 
done  the  soldiers  real  and  great  good." 


STORES.  661 

especially  in  preparing  and  dispensing  delicacies  of  food 
among  the  sick.  After  several  of  the  severer  battles, 
as  Gettysburg,  they  rendered  valuable  aid.  They  were 
found  in  all  parts  of  the  army.  Some  of  them  sealed 
their  devotion  with  their  lives. 

But  the  Delegates  of  the  Christian  Commission,  from 
the  very  beginning  of  their  work  in  the  army,  gave 
attention  to  the  special  preparation  of  food  for  the  sick 
and  wounded.  The  first  reports  received  contain  evi- 
dence of  this.  Their  facilities  for  such  service  were 
indeed  few,  and  the  variety  of  dishes  that  could  be 
prepared  was  small.  Yet  from  camp-kettles  and  cal- 
drons there  were  given  to  weary,  suffering  men  such 
supplies  of  tea,  coffee,  soup,  gruel,  milk  punch,  etc.,  as, 
with  all  their  homeliness,  had  not  a  little  of  the  flavor 
and  refreshing  of  home.  Several  illustrations  of  this 
have  been  given  in  the  narratives  of  field  work.  Rev. 
E.  F.  Williams,  in  describing  the  establishment  of  the 
Christian  Commission  at  the  City  Point  General  Hospi- 
tal, in  the  summer  of  1864,  thus  speaks  of  the  "  Cook- 
ing Tent": — 

In  the  rear  of  the  square  in  which  the  main  tents  of  the  Commis- 
sion are  pitched  is  a  large  fly  tent  (No.  8),  fifty  by  twenty  feet, 
stretched  unon  a  frame  work  of  heavy  poles.  Here  the  food  of  the 
Delegates  is  prepared,  and  here  also  beef  tea,  farina,  corn  starch, 
milk  punch,  lemonade,  etc.,  are  prepared  in  large  quantities,  and 
distributed  to  those  cases  which  the  Delegates,  while  going  their 
regular  rounds,  find  specially  needy.  Here  we  distribute  only  upon 
the  order  of  our  own  Delegates.  Yesterday,  July  8  (counting  a  cup 
of  tea  as  a  ration,  and  leaving  out  of  view  the  lemonade  and  canned 
beef  issued),  three  thousand  three  hundred  and  ten  (3,310)  rations 
were  distributed, — a  number  sufficient  to  reach  every  man  in  the 
General  Hospital,  certainly  every  needy  man.  Here  we  have  two 


FRONT  TOWARDS  GENERAL  HOSPITAL. 
Flag. 


RISING  GROUND. 


SPECIAL   DIET   KITCHENS.  »  663 

cooking  stoves  of  the  largest  size ;  a  bakery  with  four  ovens,  one 
above  the  other;  and  four  caldrons  which  hold  forty-five  gallons 
apiece,  and  which  are  generally  filled  to  their  utmost  capacity.  In 
this  establishment  there  are  employed  two  Delegates,  who  have  the 
general  oversight  of  the  cooking  and  distributing,  with  four  regular 
cooks  and  their  five  assistants, — so  that  this  is  really  the  busiest  spot 
on  the  grounds  of  the  Commission.1 

Yet  these  various  expedients,  serviceable  as  they  were, 
did  not  fully  meet  the  want.  To  do  this  there  was 
needed  in  each  hospital  such  facilities  and  arrangements 
as  would  enable  all  of  the  feebler  class  of  patients  to 
receive  with  unfailing  regularity,  under  the  immediate 
supervision  of  the  surgeon,  a  nutritious  and  attractive 
diet,  suitably  prepared  and  served.  It  was  the  privilege 
of  the  Christian  Commission  to  contribute  materially 
toward  supplying  this  necessity  in  the  establishment  of 
their 

SPECIAL   DIET    KITCHENS.* 

Mrs.  Annie  Wittenmyer,  of  Iowa,  was  Sanitary 
Agent  for  that  State,  in  the  early  years  of  the  war.  As 
such  she  received  and  distributed  among  the  Iowa  troops 
in  the  Western  armies  the  supplies  furnished  by  the 
people,  under  the  direction  of  the  State  Government. 
Her  observation  of  the  sufferings  and  necessities  of  the 

1  This  General  Hospital,  in  tents,  covered  forty  acres,  and  was  situated  on  the 
South  bank  of  the  Appomattox,  about  a  mile  from  its  confluence  with  the  James. 
The  Christian  Commission  station,  previous  to  the  erection  of  its  wooden  build- 
ings, occupied  fifteen  tents,  situated  at  the  Eastern  end  or  front  of  the  hospital. 
The  accompanying  diagram  shows  the  relative  positions  of  the  Commission's 
tents,  and  will  give  some  notion  of  the  dimensions  of  the  station.  The  wooden 
buildings  afterward  erected  were  the  same  in  number,  and  upon  the  same  sites. 
See  p.  421. 

*  Mrs.  Wittenmyer  furnished  valuable  assistance  in  the  preparation  of  this 
section  of  the  Annals. 


664  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

men,  and  her  desire  to  see  them  effectually  relieved, 
turned  her  thoughts  to  the  subject  of  hospital  diet. 
While  noticing  the  efforts  made  by  surgeons  and  their 
assistants  to  give  to  their  patients  a  suitable  diet,  and 
also  noticing  the  endeavors  to  supplement  these  efforts 
by  voluntary  labors,  as  described  above,  she  saw  that 
the  great  want  could  not  be  overcome  except  by  some 
plan,  comprehensive  and  exact,  that  should  maintain 
military  discipline  on  the  one  hand  while  on  the  other 
it  met  the  special  necessities  of  every  individual  patient. 
The  result  of  her  observations  and  thoughts  took  shape 
in  the  system  of  Christian  Commission  Special  Diet 
Kitchens,  with  which  her  name  will  be  forever  asso- 
ciated. 

It  can  hardly  be  needful  now  to  dwell  upon  the  im- 
portance of  a  proper  diet  for  the  sick.  And  yet  Miss 
Nightingale's  terrible  statement  is  probably  still  true, 
that  "  thousands  of  patients  are  annually  starved,  in  the 
midst  of  plenty,  from  want  of  attention  to  the  ways 
which  alone  make  it  possible  for  them  to  take  food." l 

1  In  her  valuable  Notes  on  Hospitals  (third  edition,  London.  1863),  pp.  45,  46, 
Miss  Nightingale  says :  —  "  Two  facts  every  careful  observer  can  establish  from 
experience:  First,  The  necessity  for  variety  in  food,  as  an  essential  element  of 
health,  owing  to  the  number  of  materials  required  to  restore  and  preserve  the 
human  frame.  In  sickness  it  is  still  more  important,  because,  the  frame  being 
in  a  morbid  state,  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  prescribe  beforehand  with  certainty 
what  it  will  be  able  to  digest  and  assimilate.  The  so-called  '  fancies '  of  disease 
are  often  valuable  indications.  Second,  The  importance  of  cooking  so  as  to  secure 
the  greatest  digestibility  and  the  greatest  economy  in  nutritive  value  of  food. 
Feeling  the  importance  of  this  element  in  recovery,  I  have  often  been  surprised 
by  the  primitive  kitchens  of  some  of  our  civil  hospitals,  with  which  little  variety 
of  cooking  is  possible.  It  shows  how  little  diet  and  cooking  are  yet  thought  of 
as  sanitary  and  curative  agents.  There  still  exists  a  confusion  of  ideas  about 
'spoiling'  the  sick,  about  'too  much  indulgence'  of  the  patients,  and  even  yet 
comparatively  little  is  practically  known  as  to  what  is  and  what  is  not  essential 
for  restoration  to  health." 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS.  665 

To  the  sick  man  food  and  medicine  are  only  different 
names  for  the  same  thing.  They  hold  equally  promi- 
nent places  in  all  systems  of  good  nursing,  and  should 
be  equally  subject  to  the  physician's  prescription  and 
control.  This  was  the  fundamental  principle  in  the 
Commission's  plan  of  Special  Diet  Kitchens.  The  plan 
embraced  these  points :  — 

1.  The  kitchen  was  a  government  kitchen,  and  formed 
a  part  of  the  regular  hospital  arrangements, — being  at 
the  same  time  entirely  distinct  from  the  general  hospital 
kitchen.     It  was  as  directly  and  completely  under  the 
control  of  the  surgeon  in  charge  as  any  other  depart- 
ment of  the  hospital,  and  was  mainly  supplied  from  the 
hospital  commissary. 

2.  The  Christian  Commission  supplemented  the  exist- 
ing  government   arrangements,   when   necessary,   with 
cooking  utensils  and  supplies, — so  as  to  secure  the  con- 
veniences  requisite  to  facilitate  the   preparation  of  all 
kinds  of  hospital  diet,  and  promptly  to  furnish  all  the 
stores  needed  to  keep  up  to  the  highest  standard  the 
variety  and  quality  of  food  issued, — thus  bringing  to 
the  bedside  of  every  patient,  in  homelike  preparation, 
such  delicate  food  as  might  be  prescribed  or  allowed  by 
his  surgeon. 

3.  Each  special  diet  kitchen  was  under  the  manage- 
ment of  experienced  and  competent  Christian  women,1 
two  or  three  in  number,  selected  and  sustained  by  the 

1  The  Fourth  Annual  Report,  of  the  Commission  says,  "  The  ladies  working 
unobtrusively  in  our  diet  kitchens,  and  attracting  little  attention  outside  the 
hospital  ground,  have  been  to  many  BoJdiers  the  greater  part  of  the  Christian 
Commission.  They  have  received  a  nominal  compensation,  hardly  suflii-init  t<> 
meet  extra  expenses,  and  sometimes  that  lias  gone  for  the  purchase  of  delicacies 
<br  the  sick." 


666  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

Commission.  While  the  presence  of  these  ladies  in  the 
hospital  was  dependent  upon  the  consent  or  requisition 
of  the  surgeon  in  charge,  and  they  were  under  his 
direction  in  the  discharge  of  their  specific  duties,  they 
derived  their  authority  as  managers  from  the  Commis- 
sion, received  from  it  their  compensation,  made  to  it 
their  stated  reports  through  the  General  Superintendent 
of  the  diet  kitchen  service,  and  co-operated  with  the 
agents  and  Delegates  of  the  Commission  in  carrying 
forward  its  work.  They  had  charge,  not  only  of  all 
supplies  furnished  by  the  Commission,  but  of  the  stores 
from  the  hospital  commissary  and  all  other  sources, 
intended  for  the  class  of  patients  to  which  they  minis- 
tered. They  had  also  the  privilege  of  visiting  the 
patients  in  the  wards,  reading  to  them,  writing  letters 
for  them,  or  performing  any  other  office  of  kindness  and 
trust  that  their  condition  might  require.1 

4.  Regular  diet  lists  or  bills  of  fare  were  provided,  on 
which  the  ward  surgeon  was  expected  to  prescribe  the 
diet  for  the  sick,  as  he  made  his  daily  rounds,  with  as 
much  care  as  he  prescribed  the  medicine.     These  lists 
were  returned  to  the  kitchen,  and  governed  the  prepara- 
tion and  distribution  of  the  food. 

5.  All  patients  who  were  not  in  a  condition  to  go  to 
the  general  table,  nor  to  eat  the  food  prepared  in  the 
general  kitchen,  had  their  meals  ordered  from  the  special 
diet  kitchen. 

Mrs.  Wittenmyer,  who  became  the  General  Superin- 
tendent of  this  service,  was  ready  to  propose  her  plan  to 

1  Compare  the  statement,  at  p.  46,  of  the  duties  of  Miss  Nightingale's  assistants 
in  the  Crimean  hospitals;  but  those  were  nurses;  these  were  distinctively 
managers  of  diet  kitchens. 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS.  667 

the  Commission  and  to  the  medical  authorities  of  the 
army  in  the  latter  part  of  1863.  As  she  was  in  the 
West  the  proposition  was  first  presented  there,  and 
received  the  cordial  approval  of  all  who  examined  it. 
The  executive  officers  of  the  Commission  in  St.  Louis 
and  Cincinnati,  and  the  agents  in  the  Western  armies, 
endorsed  the  plan,  and  recommended  its  adoption  by  the 
Central  Executive  Committee.1  This  was  done,  and 
under  date  of  January  29,  1864,  Mrs.  Wittenmyer  was 

1  Mrs.  Wittenmyer  says  that  Rev.  E.  P.  Smith  was  the  "  first  one  to  encourage 
the  plan"  of  diet  kitchens,  and  "to  him  more  than  to  any  other  co-laborer  am  I 
indebted  for  its  success."  Mr.  Smith's  first  letter  on  the  subject  to  the  Central 
Executive  Committee  will  be  read  with  interest :  — 

NASHVILLE,  TENN.,   January  6,  1864. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  ESQ.,  Chairman  U.  8.  C.  C.: 

Dear  Sir:  Our  late  work  at  Chattanooga,  among  the  hospitals,  lias  deepened 
my  conviction  that  one  of  the  sorest  wants  of  the  army,  as  yet  scarcely  touched 
by  any  benevolent  enterprise,  is  that  of  diet  kitchens  for  hospitals.  The  lowest 
patients  very  rarely  receive  proper  food  in  suitable  preparation  for  a  very  sick 
man.  The  inevitable  consequence  is  that  many  choice  men  die  who  would  live 
if  nourished  at  that  lowest  point.  An  Ohio  soldier  was  given  up  to  die,  and  his 
coffin  ordered.  A  lady  asked  permission  to  take  charge  of  him.  "  You  may 
have  him,"  said  the  surgeon,  "  and  try  any  practice  you  please ;  but  you  must  be 
in  haste,  for  we  shall  roll  him  in  his  blanket  in  two  hours."  The  lady  prepared 
simple  food  and  drinks,  and  ministered  to  him  by  his  nurse.  The  patient  revived, 
and  for  two  weeks  was  made  tolerably  comfortable,  and  before  he  died  gave 
evidence  of  true  conversion.  Other  cases  in  that  hospital  were  manifestly  bene- 
fited by  such  diet  as  could  be  prepared  in  our  straitened  circumstances.  The 
plan  of  Mrs.  Wittenmyer,  to  place  competent  Christian  women  in  charge  of  diet 
kitchens,  cannot  fail  of  immense  good.  With  the  necessary  deliberation  and 
care  in  the  appointment  of  such  helpers  they  would  become  an  effective  rein- 
forcement to  our  work, —  at  once  the  agents  through  which  all  our  choicest  hos- 
pital stores  could  be  conveyed  directly  to  the  most  needy  men,  and  also  laborers 
for  the  Master,  touching  a  soldier's  heart  more  readily  and  deeply  than  men  can 
do.  I  most  cordially  endorse  the  plan,  and  shall  be  glad,  if  the  Com  mission 
deem  it  advisable,  to  make  the  experiment  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 
Very  respectfully, 

EPWD.  P.  SMITH, 

General  Field  Agent,  U.  S.  C.  C. 


668  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

"  authorized  to  act  in  consultation  and  co-operation  with 
Rev.  Edward  P.  Smith,  General  Field  Agent  of  the 
United  States  Christian  Commission  for  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland,  and  with  the  Field  Agents  for  the 
other  armies  of  the  West  and  Southwest,  and  with  the 
Branches  of  the  United  States  Christian  Commission  in 
Pittsburg,  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis,  Louisville,  St.  Louis,  • 
Peoria,  Chicago,  and  other  places,  for  the  establishment 
of  diet  kitchens  in  connection  with  such  hospitals  in  the 
Western  and  Southwestern  departments,  and  for  their 
supply  with  the  proper  stores  for  preparation,  as  they 
mutually  deem  wise  and  best."  The  experiment  was  at 
once  tried  and  was  an  immediate  success.  It  is  perhaps 
hardly  proper  to  call  it  an  experiment,  except  in  the 
cardinal  feature  of  placing  the  management  of  the 
kitchen  in  the  hands  of  those  who  were  not  members  of 
the  hospital  staff.  For  from  the  beginning  of  the  war 
the  government  had  made  most  liberal  provision  for  the 
care  of  the  sick  and  wounded.  It  is  true  that  hospital 
arrangements  at  the  outset  were  as  defective  as  any  part 
of  the  service,  but  they  had  improved  as  rapidly  as  any, 
and  in  many  of  the  hospitals  the  surgeons  had  adopted 
a  system  of  prescribing,  preparing,  and  administering 
the  diet  of  the  feebler  patients,  not  essentially  differing 
from  these  later  kitchens,  except  in  the  particular  men- 
tioned. But  the  ladies  of  the  Commission  were  for  the 
most  part  heartily  welcomed  by  the  surgeons,  and  even 
where  there  was  some  prejudice  to  be  overcome  it  was 
not  long  in  yielding.  The  partial  independence  of  the 
managers  of  the  special  kitchens,  and  their  responsibility 
to  an  extra-governmental  society,  were  found  to  work 


SPECIAL    DIET   KITCHENS. 

advantageously  to  all  concerned.1  This  arrangement 
also  afforded  an  easy  and  effective  method  of  increasing 
the  facilities  and  resources  of  the  hospital,  when  these 
were  for  any  reason  insufficient,  by  drawing  upon  the 
Commission. 

The  first  special  diet  kitchen  established  was  in  the 
Cumberland  Hospital,  Nashville,  and  was  maintained 
for  nearly  two  years.2  The  kitchens  were  rapidly  mul- 
tiplied among  the  principal  general  hospitals  at  the 
West, — as  in  Louisville,  Lexington,  Bowling  Green, 
New  Albany,  Madison,  Nashville,  Knoxville,  Chat- 
tanooga, Memphis,  Vicksburg,  Little  Rock,  etc.  In 
November,  1864,  twenty-four  had  been  in  operation. 
In  the  ensuing  winter,  besides  further  extension  in  the 
West,  they  were  introduced  into  the  hospitals  of  the 

1  Miss  Nightingale  (Notes  on  Hospitals,  p.  181)  says  that  "  the  methods  of 
nursing  the  sick  adopted  in  the  public  hospitals  of  Europe  may  be  distinguished 
under  five  classes."     Of  these  the  first  is,  "where  the  nurses  belong  to  a  religious 
Order,  and  are  under  their  own  spiritual  head,— the  hospital  being  administered 
by  a  separate  and  secular  governing  body."     This  method,  she  says,  "  is,  on  the 
whole,  best  calculated  to  secure  good  nursing  for  the  sick,  and  the  general  well- 
being  of  patients  and  nurses."     Remembering  the  difference  in  circumstances 
and  duties  between  the  nurses  of  a  public  civil  hospital  and  the  diet  kitchen 
managers  of  a  general  military  hospital,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  principle  here 
stated  governed  the  relation  of  the  Christian  Commission  ladies  to  the  hospital 
authorities. 

2  Miss  Mary  E.  Moorhead,of  Pittsburg,  was  the  first  lady  commissioned,  and 
began  the  work  in  this  large  hospital,  where,  for  the  greater  part  of  the  time, 
from  one  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  patients  were  fed  from  the  special  diet 
kitchens.    Miss  M.  had  already  done  good  service  in  several  Eastern  hospitals. 
Her  going  West  is  incidentally  referred  to  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  Weyman,  of  the 
Pittsburg  Branch,  written  on  the  17th  of  March,  1864,  which  thus  fixes  an  im- 
portant date  in  the  diet  kitchen  movement.     "  We  send  to-day,  by  boat  direct, 
15,000  pounds  of  stores  and  20,000  feet  of  lumber,  for  an  extra  diet  kitchen  in 
Nashville.     And  also  Miss  Moorhead  and  Miss  Lathrop,  two  young  ladies  of  our 
Committee,  to  labor  three  or  four  months  in  Nashville."    Miss  Moorhead,  with 
the  aid  of  friends  in  Pittsburg,  built  a  chapel  for  the  inmates  of  the  Cumberland 
Hospital,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000. 


670  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

East, — at  Washington,  Alexandria,  City  Point,  Point 
of  Rocks,  Baltimore,  etc.  In  all,  between  fifty  and  sixty  , 
special  diet  kitchens  were  put  in  operation,  varying  in 
the  period  of  their  continuance  according  to  the  exigen- 
cies of  the  service.  They  were  maintained  in  the  more 
permanent  hospitals  until  the  Commission  closed  its 
labors.  Over  one  hundred  ladies  were  engaged  in  their 
management. 

Not  only  was  this  special  feature  of  the  Commission's 
work  approved  by  the  surgeons  who  were  brought  into 
immediate  contact  with  it,  but  through  their  recommen- 
dation and  the  obvious  value  of  the  system  it  was 
endorsed  by  the  higher  officers  of  Government.  By 
the  action  of  Assistant  Surgeon-General  R.  C.  Wood, 
and  of  the  Commanding  Generals  and  Quartermasters 
of  the  Departments  in  the  West,  in  the  spring  of  1864, 
Mrs.  Wittenmyer  secured  free  transportation  for  herself 
and  assistants,  with  every  facility  for  visiting  and  labor- 
ing in  the  hospitals  within  their  fields.  A  little  later 
the  following  order  was  issued :  — 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON-GENERAL'S  OFFICE.  ~i 
LOUISTILLK,  KY.,  August  1,  18fi4.      / 

To  Medical  Directors  and  Assistant  Surgeons  in  charge  of  General 
Hospitals  in  Western  Medical  Department  : 

Mrs.  Annie  Wittenmyer,  the  Agent  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
has  introduced  a  system  of  Diet  Kitchens  into  General  Hospitals, 
found  to  be  very  useful  and  practical,  and  has  employed  proper 
persons  to  attend  to  their  arrangement.  It  is  enjoined  upon  all 
medical  officers  to  give  her  and  her  agents  every  facility. 

R.  C.  WOOD,  Assistant  Surgeon-  General,  U.  S.  A. 

On  coming  East,  Mrs.  Wittenmyer  met  with  the  same 
cordial  co-operation  at  Washington.  Surgeon-General 


SPECIAL   DIET    KITCHENS.  671 

Barnes,  from  whom  the  Commission  received  constant 
favor  and  assistance,  gave  his  official  approval  :  — 

SURGEON-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  1 
October  20,  1864.      / 

Mrs.  A.  Wittenmyer  is  specially  commended  to  the  attention  and 
courtesy  of  all  medical  officers. 

J.  K.  BARNES,  Surgeon- General 

To  this  the  President  added  his  endorsement :  — 

Let  this  lady  have  transportation  to  any  of  the  armies,  and  pri- 
vileges while  there  not  objected  to  by  the  Commanders  of  the  armies 
respectively.  ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

October  20,  1864. 

As  the  result  of  this  official  commendation  the  fol- 
lowing special  order  was  issued  from  the  War  Depart- 
ment :  — 

Special  Order,  No.  262. 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  OFFICE,  1 
WASHINGTON,  October  27,  1864.  J 

[EXTRACT.] 

56.  Permission  to  visit  the  United  States  General  Hospitals  within 
the  lines  of  the  several  Military  Departments  of  the  United  States, 
for  the  purpose  of  superintending  the  preparation  of  food  in  the 
Special  Diet  Kitchens  of  the  same,  is  hereby  granted  Mrs.  Annie 
Wittenmyer,  Special  Agent  United  States  Christian  Commission, 
and  such  ladies  as  she  may  deem  proper  to  employ,  by  request  of 
United  States  surgeons. 

The  Quartermaster's  Department  will  furnish  the  necessary  trans- 
portation. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War: 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  Assistant  Adjutant- General. 

With  official  encouragement  and  assistance  so  heartily 
and  abundantly  given,  it  is  not  strange  that  the  diet 
kitchen  service  achieved  the  most  gratifying  results. 


672  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  selection  of  lady  managers  was  a  delicate  and 
difficult  task,  for  while  there  were  many  who  were  ready, 
from  various  motives,  to  enter  upon  service  in  the  army, 
there  were  not  many  who  could  satisfy  the  high  standard 
of  qualifications  established.  The  officers  of  the  Com- 
mission and  of  its  Branches  and  local  committees,  and 
the  members  of  the  Ladies'  Commissions,  presented  the 
names  of  such  ladies  as  might  to  them  seem  fitted  for 
the  work,  but  the  final  decision  and  entire  control  of  all 
appointments  were  left  with  Mrs.  Wittenmyer.  Each 
lady  appointed  received  the  following 

MANAGER'S    COMMISSION. 

U.  S.  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  CENTRAL  OFFICE,  "t 
11  BANK  STREET,  Philadelphia, 186 / 

No 

M.__.  of 

has  been  duly  appointed  and  is  hereby  commissioned  a  MANAGER  in 
the  Special  Diet  Kitchen  Service  of  the  United  States  Christian  Com- 
mission, connected  with  the  United  States  Military  Hospitals. 


,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C. 

Issued  at  the  office  of  the  General  Superintendent  of  the  Special 

Diet  Kitohen  service,  in ,  this 

day  of ,  186 


General  Superintendent. 

Each  manager  was  also  furnished,  for  her  guidance, 
with  the  following 

INSTRUCTIONS   TO   MANAGERS  OF   SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS. 

In  accepting  your  present  position  of  responsibility,  you  place 
yourself  in  the  service  and  under  the  general  care  and  direction  of 
the  United  States  Christian  Commission ;  and  in  the  absence  of  the 
Superintendent  you  will  be  under  the  general  direction  of  the  Field 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS.  673 

Agent  of  the  Department,  and  will  look  to  the  nearest  Station  Agent 
of  the  Commission  for  assistance  and  supplies. 

The  following  statements  and  requirements  must  receive  careful 
attention,  and  be  scrupulously  observed  : 

1.  Your  work  in  the  kitchen  is  to  assist  the  surgeons  in   giving 
comfort  and  restoration  to  languishing  men,  who  are  in  need  of  care- 
fully prepared  nutritious  food. 

2.  The  order  of  the  surgeon  in  charge  is  the  law  of  the  kitchens, 
as  it  is  of  all  other  hospital  arrangements. 

3.  Under  the  direction  of  the  surgeon  in  charge  it  will  be  your 
duty  to  prepare  such  articles  of  diet,  and  only  such,  as  are  ordered 
or  approved  by  the  surgeons  in  charge  of  the  sick. 

4.  You  will  keep  open  to  the  inspection  of  the  surgeon  in  charge 
an  account  of  all  the  stores  received  from  any  source  outside  of  the 
hospital,  and  at  the  end  of  each  month  forward  a  copy  of  this  account 
to  the  Superintendent. 

5.  In  addition  to  the  monthly  report,  you  will  communicate  with 
the  Superintendent  at  the  end  of  each  week,  noting  any  incident  of 
interest  you  may  choose,  and  giving  a  general  statement  of  the  con- 
dition and  working  of  the  kitchen. 

6.  Great  good  may  be  daily  accomplished  by  bringing  kind  words 
and  Christian  sympathy  and  solicitude,  with  articles  of  comfort  and 
necessity,  to  the  cots  of  the  sick  and  wounded ;  but  all  such  visits  to 
the  wards  must  be,  by  the  surgeon's  permission,  and  in  strict  con- 
formity with  hospital  regulations. 

7.  A  spirit  of  censoriousness  and  evil-speaking  and  intermeddling, 
unchristian  anywhere,  is  doubly  mischievous  here,  and  dangerous  to 
all  concerned.     First  impressions  of  what  can  and  ought  to  be  done 
in  a  large  hospital  are  very  likely  to  need  the  correction   which 
extended  experience  and  candid  observation  are  sure  to  give. 

8.  Neatness  and  simplicity  of  dress  are  intimately  connected  with 
your  success. 

9.  A  uniform  Christian  deportment,  above  the  shadow  of  reproach, 
is  absolutely  necessary. 

10.  Your  work  has  its  foundation  in  Christian  self-sacrifice.     The 
only  possible  sufficient  motive  for  you  is  a  desire  to  serve  the  Master 
and  to  do  good  to  the  suffering.     For  this  you  will  be  willing  to 
forego,  in  a  large  degree,  home  comforts,  and  especially  that  of  social 


674  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

intercourse,  in  order  to  give  yourself,  with  a  single  aim  and  with  all 
your  might,  to  the  work  you  have  undertaken. 

ANNIE  WITTENMYER,  Superintendent. 

I  hereby  pledge  myself,  as  a  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  faithfully,  fully, 
and  earnestly  to  fulfil  the  duties  above  enjoined. 


Manager. 

Dated  at — , 

this day  of ,  186 

The  surgeon  in  charge  of  one  of  the  general  hospitals 
at  New  Albany,  Indiana,  gives  the  following  very  clear 
statement  of  the  method  of  working  in  the  diet  kitchens 
and  of  their  value.  It  was  originally  published  in  the 
Reveille,  a  little  paper  issued  by  the  soldiers  of  the 
hospital:  — 

One  of  the  marks  of  progress  in  the  treatment  of  our  sick  and 
wounded  is  found  in  the  establishment  of, the  special  diet  kitchen 
under  new  and  better  auspices.  From  the  first  the  patients  in  a 
hospital  were  naturally  divided  into  two  classes,  one  embracing  all 
who  were  able  to  go  to  the  general  table,  and  the  other  the  remainder, 
or  those  who  eat  in  the  ward.  To  the  latter  the  office  of  the  special 
diet  kitchen  wholly  applies.  The  Surgeon-General  has  given  a  "diet 
table,"  with  the  various  diets, — full,  half,  low,  milk,  beef  tea,  and 
chicken,  together  with  the  articles  and  amount  appropriated  to  each. 
This  table  is  the  result  of  very  careful  and  accurate  experiments 
made  in  several  of  the  largest  hospitals  in  the  United  States,  and  is 
fully  sufficient,  except  in  a  few  cases,  for  the  patients.  The  articles 
required  in  these  exceptional  cases  constitute  what  is  called  "  extra 
diet."  The  Commissary  furnishes,  generally,  an  ample  supply  of 
the  more  substantial  articles  of  diet,  and  it  is  only  the  more  delicate 
and  nicer  articles  which  the  Christian  and  Sanitary  Commissions 
have  found  it  necessary  to  furnish. 

The  great  stumbling-block,  however,  has  been  the  proper  prepara- 
tion of  the  food,  so  as  to  be  palatable  and  nutritious  to  the  sick.  The 
men  who  were  detailed  for  that  purpose  have  been  generally  too 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS.  675 

careless  and  too  little  conversarit  with  the  arts  of  cooking  to  render 
just  the  service  needed.  Mrs.  Annie  Wittenmyer,  of  Iowa,  appre- 
ciating fully  this  difficulty,  undertook  to  remedy  it.  Her  plan  was 
eminently  practical,  and  so  simple  that  any  body  could  understand 
it.  It  was  just  to  take  the  Government  kitchen  as  already  organized, 
with  all  its  means  and  materials,  with  its  defects  and  advantages, 
and  attempt  to  make  it,  through  the  aid  of  intelligent  Christian 
ladies,  what  the  kitchen  is  in  a  well-regulated  household.  Thus  fur 
the  plan  has  worked  admirably.  The  Christian  Commission,  with 
its  noble  charities,  has'  given  supplies  of  all  articles  not  readily 
obtained  through  the  commissary.  Thus  the  small  fruits,  both  dried 
and  canned,  with  many  things  to  gratify  the  taste  and  please  the 
fancy  of  the  sick,  have  been  abundantly  supplied.  But  the  chief 
advantage  is  in  the  fact  that  ladies  of  the  rarest  attainment  and  the 
highest  Christian  character  have  given  direction  to  everything  apper- 
taining to  the  kitchen.  Generally  two  ladies  are  assigned  to  each 
special  diet  kitchen.  While,  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  conduct 
of  the  hospital  they  are  under  the  control  of  the  surgeon  in  charge, 
they  are  in  the  service  of  the  Christian  Commission,  and  are  subject 
to  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Wittenmyer,  its  authorized  agent.  Her 
instructions  are  so  plain  and  simple  that  there  is  not  the  slightest 
danger  of  interference  with  the  arrangements  of  the  hospital. 

The  articles  of  diet  sent  to  the  sick  are  always  furnished  on  the 
order  of  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the  ward,  and  are  never  given  to 
the  patient,  .under  any  circumstances,  without  his  consent.  Thus 
one  great  source  of  trouble  is  avoided.  As  a  rule,  which  does  not 
admit  of  an  exception  within  the  writer's  knowledge,  all  articles 
furnished  by  the  Christian  Commission  have  been  faithfully  distri- 
buted. The  Government  supplies  the  ladies  with  rations,  and  there 
is  not  the  slightest  occasion  for  them  or  their  friends  to  appropriate 
the  stores  to  their  own  use.  Besides,  their  high  character  is  a  suffi- 
cient guarantee.  The  stores  are  secure  in  their  hands, —  a  circum- 
stance in  itself  of  great  consideration.  Five  cents  would  buy,  many 
times  over,  all  the  stores  of  the  Christian  Commission  which  have 
been  misapplied  in  this  hospital,  and  this  is  true,  we  have  no  doubt,  of 
many,  if  not  all  others,  where  these  kitchens  have  been  established. 

For  some  time  the  special  diet  kitchen  of  this  hospital  has  been 
entirely  adequate.  Nearly  two  hundred  men  have  been  supplied 


676  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

daily  with  every  variety  of  food  which  could  be  imagined  or  the 
fantastic  taste  of  the  patient  suggest.  A  Diet  Bulletin  is  issued 
every  day  to  the  wards,  exhibiting  the  articles  of  full,  half,  and  low 
diet  appropriate  for  that  day,  together  with  a  list  of  articles  which 
can  be  ordered  on  extra  diet.  A  glance  enables  the  surgeon  to  see 
precisely  what  articles  are  on  hand,  and  is  his  guide  in  making  out 
his  orders  for  diet.  These  are  entered  on  printed  lists  made  for  that 
purpose,  and  consolidated  for  each  ward  by  the  commissary  steward. 
This  consolidated  order  serves  as  a  guide  both  for  drawing  from  the 
commissary  and  for  issuing  to  the  nurses  of  the  ward.  The  greatest 
system  and  order  prevail  throughout,  and  it  rarely  happens  that  the 
patient  fails  to  get  exactly  what  his  surgeon  ordered  for  him. 

While  this  method  increases  the  responsibility  and  adds  to  the 
work  of  the  surgeon,  it  certainly  promotes  to  a  much  greater  extent 
the  welfare  of  the  patient.  Attention  to  diet  thus  becomes  one  of 
his  most  important  and  most  necessary  duties.  It  should  never  have 
been  otherwise.  Health,  strength,  and  life  itself  depend  more  upon 
the  efficiency  of  the  kitchen  than  upon  the  power  of  the  medicines 
or  the  agency  of  external  comforts.  A  mind  which  could  conceive, 
and  a  will  which  could  carry  out,  the  designs  of  a  plan  of  such  vital 
importance  to  the  hospital  work,  deserves  and  should  receive  the 
highest  admiration. 

An  inside  view  of  one  of  these  kitchens  is  well  drawn 
by  the  lady  manager  in  charge,  in  a  letter  to  the  Gene- 
ral Superintendent,  dated  Point  of  Rocks,  Virginia,1 

1  In  speaking  of  the  diet  kitchens  at  Point  of  Rocks,  Mrs.  "Wittenmyer  says :  — 
"  These  kitchens  were  the  most  important  in  the  entire  service.  Their  fame  was 
spread  abroad,  and  many  came  from  far  and  near  to  see  for  themselves  whether 
it  were  true  that  sick  and  wounded  in  a  field  hospital,  within  range  of  the  enemy's 
guns,  could  be  so  well  provided  for  and  so  delicately  and  systematically  served. 
General  Grant  made  a  special  visit  to  these  kitchens,  in  disguise.  He  examined 
the  diet  lists,  and  stood  by  and  saw  the  ladies  issue  dinner,  and  then  went  through 
some  of  the  wards  while  the  patients  were  eating.  A  soldier,  mistaking  him  for 
a  Delegate  of  the  Christian  Commission,  called  out,  '  See  here,  Christian  ;  won't 
you  bring  me  a  pair  of  socks?'  The  General  responded,  'I'll  see  that  you  get 
them,'  and  passed  on.  I  had  often  spoken  to  him  of  our  work,  and  as  often 
urged  him  to  visit  some  of  our  kitchens,  and  I  was  very  much  gratified  when  he 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS.  677 

January  10,  1865.     The  kitchen  had  been  established 
but  a  few  days  when  the  letter  was  written  :  — 

My  Dear  Mrs.  Wittenmyer :  I  suppose  by  this  time  you  would  like 
to  know  how  progresses  the  first  "  Special  Diet  Kitchen  "  in  the 
Army  of  the  James.  Well,  we  think,  all  things  considered,  the 
kitchen  is  an  entire  success.  The  agents  are  quite  in  love  with  it, 
and  purpose  taking  board  with  us, — so  'much  is  it  already  in  advance 
of  their  own  kitchen.  We  moved  into  our  quarters  Monday,  Jan.  2d, 
and  Thursday,  the  5th,  assisted  in  preparing  the  first  dinner  in 
our  new  kitchen,  the  issuing  of  which  beggars  description.  The 
dinner  for  three  hundred  and  fifty,  which  consisted  of  beef  steak, 
potatoes,  corn  starch,  pudding,  bread,  and  toast  buttered,  was  pre- 
pared without  any  utensils  but  the  stove  furniture,  and  cooked  in  the 
stoves  without  any  chimney,  and  with  green  pine  wood, — the  smoke 
almost  blinding  us.  The  carpenters  were  still  at  work  in  the  room, 
putting  in  a  window,  making  a  store-room,  tables,  shelves,  etc. ;  and 
there  were  teu  men  to  help  us.  beside  a  guard, — so  you  can  imagine 
we  were  somewhat  crowded.  All  we  had  to  issue  in  were  two  wooden 
buckets  and  a  tin  cup  from  each  ward,  and  they  looked  more  like 
swill  buckets  than  anything  else.  For  supper  we  had  bread  and 
butter,  nicely  buttered  toast,  farina,  and  excellent  baked  apples ; 
and  our  new  tin  arrived  just  in  time  to  issue  in ;  but,  as  there  was 
much  confusion  and  no  system,  it  took  more  than  an  hour  to  issue. 
From  the  surgeon  down  no  one  knew  anything  about  this  new  order 
of  things,  and  so  it  was  up-hill  business  all  round.  The  next  day  I 
attempted  to  bring  order  out  of  this  confusion,  and  assigned  to  each 
man  in  the  kitchen  his  work,  and  Miss  N.  her  especial  oversight ; 
had  the  issuing  vessels  labeled ;  requested  a  diet  list  from  each  ward, 
and  for  the  ward  masters  to  come  for  the  rations  instead  of  the 
nurses,  until  they  fully  understood  the  working  of  the  new  system, — 
all  of  which  the  surgeon  promptly  attended  to ;  and  at  noon,  Friday, 
instead  of  an  innumerable  company  of  nurses  calling  for  rations, 
with  a  guard  to  keep  them  out  of  the  house  and  preserve  order,  four- 
told  me  that  he  had  visited  the  kitchens  at  Point  of  Rocks,  had  seen  the  ladies 
issue  dinner,  and  found  that  the  patients  in  that  hospital  lived  better  than  lie  did, 
and  that  he  was  very  much  pleased." 


678  ANNALS    OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

teen  gentlemanly-behaved  and  manly-looking  ward  masters  unani- 
mously presented  themselves.  I  told  them  briefly  our  manner  of 
issuing,  and  called  off  the  list,  and  in  about  ten  minutes  all  were 
served,  and  had  left  with  their  rations.  It  made  the  men  who  had 
previously  been  in  the  light  diet  kitchen  open  wide  their  eyes  to  see 
the  rations  so  summarily  disposed  of.  The  next  day  I  Avas  sick  and 
unable  to  go  to  the  kitchen,  and  Miss  N.  called  off  the  list  for  each 
meal,  and  they  were  issued  in  still  less  time,  and  without  any  appre- 
ciable blunders,  and  at  least  five  of  our  men  are  not  able  to  read  the 
numbers  on  the  labels.  Now  the  rations  are  promptly  issued  in  less 
than  five  minutes.  We  have  very  excellent  men  in  our  kitchen, 
seven  white  and  three  black.  They  are  all  delighted  with  the  new 
order  of  things,  and  say  it  seems  very  homelike.  We  all  eat  at  the 
same  table, — one  or  two  taking  turns  to  serve.  The  colored  men  at 
first  positively  declined,  but  now  take  their  places  as  requested,  and 
we  have  a  very  pleasant,  social  table. 

Miss  H.  has  explored  her  entire  field,  and  commenced  systematic 
ward  visitation.  She  has  a  large  and  destitute  field,  and  the  amplest 
opportunity  for  doing  good,  and  I  feel  assured  she  will  be  very  use- 
ful. I  feel  that  just  such  labor  is  more  needed  than  any  other,  and 
no  kitchen  shall  deprive  me  of  the  blessed  privilege  of  entering  into 
a  field  already  so  ripe  for  the  harvest,  and  laboring  for  Christ  and 
for  souls.  Meetings  are  held  in  the  chapel  every  night,  very  fully 
attended  and  intensely  interesting;  many  anxious  inquiring  souls, 
and  many  finding  peace  in  Jesus.  Do  not  understand  that  I  mean 
to  neglect  the  kitchen,  but  I  mean  to  find  time,  if  my  health  don't 
fail,  to  feed  the  soul  as  well  as  the  body.  If  I  do  not,  I  shall  feel 
that  I  am  doing  a  small  work.  I  never  saw  men  so  approachable 
upon  the  subject  of  religion ;  they  truly  seem  like  little  children. 
May  God  pour  out  his  Holy  Spirit  largely  upon  them,  and  grant 
them  his  salvation,  is  my  constant  prayer.  I  find  Miss  N.  a  "true 
yoke-fellow." 

We  are  treated  with  great  deference  by  all  the  medical  officials 
here,  and  they  promise  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  aid  us,  and  make 
everything  as  pleasant  as  possible.  We  have  only  to  make  our 
wishes  known,  and  whatever  we  need  to  facilitate  our  work  is  forth- 
coming. Indeed,  now  I  begin  to  fear  we  shall  be  killed  with  kind- 
ness, instead  of  coldness  and  hard  work,  and  if  there  is  any  failure 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS. 


679 


in  the  prosperity  of  the  kitchen,  it  will  be  wholly  on  our  part ;  so 
you  must  help  us  with  your  counsels  and  prayers,  that  we  fail  not, 
and  in  nowise  bring  this  department  of  Christian  effort  into  disre- 
pute. This  has  been  a  trying  day.  All  night  and  all  day  the  rain 
has  come  down  in  torrents,  in  our  quarters  and  kitchen,  as  well  as 
out  of  doors.  Quarts  of  water  rail  off  our  beds  while  we  slept,  and 
all  our. clothing  had  to  be  wrapped  in  rubber  blankets,  and  one  of 
us  had  to  stay  all  day  to  keep  the  house  from  washing  away,  while 
the  others  were  at  the  kitchen,  which  was  even  worse  off.  Almost 
everything  had  to  be  dried,  even  to  bed  and  bedding,  and  the 
kitchen  was  well-nigh  over  shoes  with  mud  and  water.  But  to-night 
finds  us  in  good  spirits,  our  zeal  undampened,  though  our  work  has 
been  most  thoroughly  soaked.  Affectionately, 

E.  W.  J. 


The  variety  of  food  furnished  in  the  diet  kitchens,  and 
also  the  amount  issued,  are  indicated  in  the  accompany- 
ing table,  which  shows  the  distributions  made  from  the 
kitchens  of  sixteen  hospitals  during  a  single  month.1 

1  It  will  be  of  interest  to  compare  with  the  table  given  on  pp.  680-' 1,  the  sub- 
joined exhibit  of  the  daily  diet  issued  from  the  kitchen  of  Miss  Nightingale  to 
the  sick  English  soldiers  of  the  Crimea.  In  noticing  the  difference  in  the  variety 
of  articles  issued,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  nearness  of  our  troops,  and  the 
ease  with  which  they  could  be  reached,  gave  us  a  very  great  advantage  in  minis- 
tering to  them. 

Average  Daily  Issue  of  Extra  Diets,  supplied  from  F.  Nightingale's  Kitchens  to  the  Extra-Diet  Roll*  nfthe 
Medical  Officers,  Barrack  Hospital,  Scutari,  from  January  13  to  February  13, 1855.  (From  the 
Parliamentary  Report  of  the  Sidney  Herbert  Commission,  p.  392.) 


Amount  supplied. 

Article!. 

From  publlo  itorei. 

From  private  tourcct. 

25  gallons 

Beef  Tea 

80  pounds  Beef. 

15      " 

Chicken  Broth. 

28  Chickens. 

12  Chickens. 

16      " 

Sago 

280  quarts 
10      « 

Barley  Water. 
Rico  Water. 

Bariiiyl 

Rice. 

I  on.  ni- 

30      " 

Milk. 
Hi  •    Puddings 

Rice. 

Milk. 

Port  Wine 

3      u 
3      " 

Marsala. 
Brandy 

llMMla. 

Itl-illldV 

15  pounds 
4  dozen 
40 

Jelly. 
C&ns. 

JW  Chickens.""' 

Ixinglaas. 
uRlbickens. 

680          ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

I^IISf  3lllIslsflll3JIJJIEJP.il 

c-t-^;-:,:->i:^::/::::/.--.^;r:      KMVTo-ac      =      =  ^te 


IS 


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Albany,  Ind.  _'«  •         '  sf  •  TC"  •  " 


Floating      Hospital,  S'o    -I 

New  Albany,  Ind.  _-<N: 


U      Hi 


3  I  is-i  S 


Second  Division  Ho,         g  1 1    j!    jj  I  §  §  1  §  1 1 1      «ii|slsilgsi 
pital,   Point  of  ga-  rf     2f«f  :^T     «T     ^      .        <rf 


pital,   Poi 
Rocks,  Va 


First  Division  Hospi- 
tal, Point  of  Rocks, 
Va. 


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SPECIAL    DIET-KITCHENS. 


681 


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b-  Men,  by  the  large  variety  of  food  furnishe 
t  the  approbation  of  the  surgeon  immediate 
nto  consideration  that  there  were  many  woun 
ill,  or  dying,  who  in  their  loneliness  and  suff 
er  a  matter  of  wonder.  And  since  Hie  loved 
bstitute  home-food  and  home  comforts." 


XOTE.  —  Mrs.  Wittcnmyer  Bay*:  —  "It  will 

milted.  Not  hint;,  however,  wait  Usuod  withou 
seem  unlit  for  sick  men;  lint  when  we  take  in 
ami  others  who  wen-  home-sick,  or  hopeleanly 
pp  p  uvd  MI*  h  ilainlii-o  for  them,  it  is  no  longe 
hoiir«  of  suffering,  it  was  a  delightful  tank  to  s 


682  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  hospitals  represent  various  parts  of  the  field,  East 
and  West.  A  much  larger  exhibit  might  have  been 
made,  if  it  were  desired  simply  to  show  the  amount  of 
food  supplied,  for  at  the  time  given  there  had  been  a 
great  decrease  in  the  number  of  patients  in  several  of 
the  Western  hospitals,  where  the  special  diet  kitchens 
had  rendered  signal  service.  It  is  a  comfort  to  know 
that  something  was  done,  as  these  figures  suggest,  by  the 
Government  and  people  of  the  nation,  to  alleviate  the 
sufferings  and  minister  to  the  sorest  wants  of  those  who 
freely  perilled  health  and  life  for  the  nation's  safety. 

Subjoined  is  a  list  of  the  ladies  who  were  engaged 
in  the  management  of  diet  kitchens,  with  their  resi- 
dences and  the  names  of  the  hospitals  in  which  they 
served:  — 

LADY  MANAGERS  OF  DIET  KITCHENS. 

MRS.  ANME  WITTEXMYER,  Davenport,  Iowa,  General  Superintendent. 
Miss  E.  W.  GOOD.U.E,  Saco,  Maine,  Superintendent  for  the  Mississippi  Department. 
Miss  MARY  E.  SHELTOX,  Burlington,  Iowa,  Superintendent  for  the  Eastern  Department. 
MRS.  E.  P.  SMITH,  Pepperell,  Mass.,  Superintendent  for  the  Cumberland  Department. 

NAME  AND  RESIDENCE.  HOSPITAL. 

Allen,  Mrs. ,  Des  Moines,  Iowa No.  6,  New  Albany. 

Allyng,  Mrs. , ,  Ind Crittenden,  Louisville. 

Athon,  Mrs.  ,  Indianapolis No.  2,  Knoxville. 

Ayers,  Miss  Martha  D., ,  111 Colored,  Nashville. 

Bancroft,  Mrs.  Caroline, ,  Vt Columbian,  Washington. 

Beckwith,  Mrs. , ,  111 Webster,  Memphis. 

Billings,  Miss  Lizzie,  Providence Mt.  Pleasant,  Washington. 

Bloor,  Mrs.  Sarah,  West  Point,  Iowa Gayoso,  Memphis. 

Bonney,  Mrs.  Mary,  Denmark,  Iowa Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Bray,  Miss  Lizzie,  Kenosha,  Wis Jackson,  Memphis. 

Bray,  Miss  Saliua,  Kenosha,  Wis McPherson,  Vicksburg. 

Buck,  Mrs. ,  Chicago Jackson,  Memphis. 

Burnell,  Miss  Mary,  Milwaukee ,  Memphis. 

Chase,  Mrs. ,  Chicago Colored,  New  Albany. 

Child,  Miss  D.,  Dyersburg,  Tenn 


Colored,  Vicksburg. 
Brown,  Louisville. 
Brown,  Louisville. 
City  Point,  Va. 


Clark,  Mrs.  Judge,  Chicago. 

Clark,  Miss  ,  Chicago 

Cole,  Miss  Ella,  Medway,  Mass 

Cole,  Mrs.  Nellie,  Sheboygan,  Wis Campbell,  Washington. 

CongiH,  Miss  Sallie,  Springdale,  Iowa Field,  Chattanooga. 

Conover,  Mrs. ,  Bloomington,  111 No.  14,  Nashville. 

Conrad,  Mrs.  Ruth  G.,  Kcokuk,  Iowa No.  1,  Knoxville. 

Cooley,  Miss  Mary,  South  Deerfield,  Mass Wilmington,  N.  C. 

Cox,  Miss , ,  Wis No.  1,  Nashville. 


SPECIAL    DIET    KITCHENS. 

NAME  ANT  RniDBKCc.  HOSPITAL. 

Culver,  Mise , ,  Wis No.  2,  Chattanooga. 

Culver,  Miss , ,  Wis No.  2,  Chattanooga. 

Cunningham.  Miss  Lizzie,  Burlington,  Iowa Wilmington,  X.  C. 

Danforth.  Mrs.  Ruth,  Chicago Totten,  Louisville. 

I>al.<.  Mrs.  Col.,  Neosho,  Wis Webster,  Memphis. 

Dellaven,  Miss  Lizzie,  Pittsburg Cumberland,  Nashville. 

Edwards,  Miss  S.  J., ,  Mich Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Ensworth.  Mr.-.  Elerta,  Chicago Colored,  New  Albany. 

Evans.  Miss  ,  Keokuk,  Iowa No.  1,  Knoxville. 

Facett,  MIPS  Elma,  Salem,  Ohio Crittenden.  Louisville. 

Flagg,  Mrs. ,  South  Windsor,  Conn Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Pogg,  Mrs. , ,  Maine Steamer,  Louisville. 

K,.nl,  Mrs.  Dr. ,  Ohio No.  3,  Nashville. 

Foulk.  Miss  Lydia,  Philadelphia No.  1,  Chattanooga. 

Fowlor,  Miss  Mattie  J.,  Pittsburg Finley,  Washington. 

Githens,  Mrs. ,  Des  Moines,  Iowa No.  6,  New  Albany. 

Hagan,  Miss  Kate,  Bloomfield,  Iowa Joe  Holt,  Louisville. 

Hauford,  Mias  Mary,  Keokuk,  Iowa No.  1,  Knoxvillf. 

Hanford,  Miss  Sada,  Keokuk,  Iowa No.  2,  Knoxville. 

Happen,  Miss  , ,  Pa Point  of  Rocks.  Va. 

Hardenbrook,  Miss  Eunice, ,  Kansas Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Hodson,  Miss  Eliza, ,  111 Colored,  Memphis. 

Hogan,  Miss  Jennie,  Muscatine,  Iowa No.  1,  Chattanooga. 

Hopper,  Miss  Maggie,  Finleyville,  Pa Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Hosford,*  Miss  Frances,  Olivet,  Mich Lookout  Mountain. 

Houghton,  Miss  Mary,  Dorchester,  Mass Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Hovoy,  Mrs.  Dr.,  Rochester,  N.  Y ,  Louisville. 

Howe,  Miss  Francona,  Lowell,  Mass Campbell,  Washington. 

Howe,  Miss  Lizzie.Lowell,  Mass Sickles,  Alexandria. 

Howell,  Miss  ,  Pittsburg Floating,  New  Albany. 

Humbert,*  Miss  Mary,  Pittsburg Emery,  Washington. 

Ilunnings,  Miss  Phebe,  Pittsburg Floating,  New  Albany. 

Johnson,  Miss  Anna,  Milwaukee ,  Memphis. 

Jones,  Mrs.  E.  II.,  Iowa  Falls,  Iowa Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Kelley,  Miss  Lizzie, ,  Ohio No.  2,  New  Albany. 

Kelley,  Miss  Sallie, ,  Ohio No.  2,  New  Albany. 

Kibben,  Misn  Mary,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa Post.  Nashville. 

Kingsley,  Mrs.  J.  C.,  Cleveland,  Ohio Slough,  Alexandria. 

Latino]),  Miss ,  Pittsburg Cumberland,  Nashville. 

Littl-.  Miss  Mary,  Pittubur;; Finley,  Washington. 

McDowell,  Miss  Esther,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa No.  6,  New  Albany,  and  Post,  Chicago. 

McDowell,  Miss  Josephine,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa Post,  Chicago. 

Me  K.'iizie,  Mrs. ,  Dubuque,  Iowa \V..|,-trr.  .Memphis. 

McQuesten,  Mrs.  H.  E.,  Wentworth,  N.  H Columbian,  Washington. 

Marion,  Miss . ,  Ohio Colored,  Nashville. 

Martin,  Miss  Nannie,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa Crittonden,  Louisville. 

Marshall,  Miss  Lucy,  Leicester,  Mass Columbian,  Washington. 

Merrill,  Mrs. ,  Cleveland,  Ohi: Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Mi!l«'t.  Miss  No.  2,  Nashville. 

Mill.T,  Miss  Eliza No.  2,  Nashville. 

Moot-head,  Miss  Mary  E.,  Pittsbnrg Cumberland,  Nashville. 

Murdock,  Miss  Ellen,  1'ittstmrg No.  19,  Nashville. 

Murphy.  Mis-  Haiti...  Chicago Mt.  Pleasant,  Washington. 

Neames,  Miss  Phebe,  Allegheny  City,  Pa No.  6,  New  Albany. 

Noyes,  Miss  Hattie,  Medina,  Ohio Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

0;;den,  Mrs.  Don.tliy,  Hamilton,  111 Washington,  Memphis. 

ivttis.  Miss , ,  111 'Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Pitkins,  Miss  Jenni.'.  Hartford,  Conn City  Point,  Va. 

Platt,  Mrs.  E.  C,.. .  Kansas Foundry,  LouUville. 

Potter,  Mrs.  , ,  V.  Y Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 


684 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


NAME  AND  REBII.F.XCK.  HOSPITAL. 

Pratt,  Miss  Ellen,  Hillsdale,  Wis Mt.  Pleasant,  Washington. 

Price,  Mrs.  —, ,  N.  Y Gayoso,  Memphis. 

Pimngton.'Mrs. ,  Keokuk,  Iowa Sedgwick,  Louisville. 

Reaves,  Mrs. , ,  Ohio Point  of  Rocks,  Va. 

Robinson,  Mrs.  S.  J.,  Crown  Point,  Ind McPherson,  Vicksburg. 

Sage,  Miss  Fanny,  Kenosha,  Wis McPherson,  Vicksburg. 

Shaw,  Miss  Hannah,  Pittsburg Cumberland,  Nashville. 

Shelton,  Miss  Amanda,  Burlington,  Iowa Field,  Chattanooga. 

Swan,  Miss  Eliza,  Danville,  Iowa Bowling  Green,  Ky. 

Swarts,  Mrs ,  ,  Ind Crittenden,  Louisville. 

Tannehill,  Mrs.  Bell,  Libertyville,  Iowa Colored,  Nashville. 

Thomas,  Mrs.  J.  F.,  Dubuque,  Iowa Webster,  Memphis. 

Thompson,  Miss  Maggie,  Detroit Slough,  Alexandria, 

Underwood,  Mrs.  Mary,  Muscatine,  Iowa Brown,  Louisville. 

Vance,  Miss  Louisa,  Quincy,  111 Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  Madison,  Inc 

Ward,  Miss  Lizzie, ,  Wis Colored,  Nashville. 

Wilkins,  Miss  Carrie,  Keokuk,  Iowa Atlanta. 

Willcy,  Miss  Sallie,  Bloomfield,  Iowa Joe  Holt,  Louisville. 

Williams,  Mrs.  Catharine,  Shell  Rock,  Iowa Brown,  Nashville. 

Williams,  Mrs.  Mary,  Keoknk,  Iowa Washington,  Memphis. 

Williamson,  Miss  Anna,  Lawrence,  Kansas Lexington,  Ky. 

Wright,  Miss  Sophia, ,  Ohio West  End,  Baltimore. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

PUBLICATIONS.— LOAN  LIBRARIES. 

THE  work  of  distributing  publications  throughout  the 
army  by  the  Christian  Commission  possessed  several 
points  of  special  interest.  More  than  any  other  part 
of  their  labors  it  furnished  an  index  of  the  character  of 
the  soldiers ;  and  the  evidence  was  as  gratifying  as  it 
was  remarkable,  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  army 
were  men  to  whom  serious  and  solid  literature  wa*  a 
necessity.  The  record  of  these  distributions  also  shows 
how  promptly  and  fully  the  literary  tastes  and  needs  of 
the  soldiers  were  responded  to.  The  Commission,  in 
this  as  in  other  respects,  did  not  at  first  aim  to  be  more 
than  the  forwarder  of  what  the  people  might  supply, 
and  the  earliest  shipments  of  reading-matter  therefore 
consisted  mainly  of  such  second-hand  tracts,  newspapers, 
and  books  as  were  offered.  Then  the  small  publications 
of  the  Tract  Socities  were  added, — some  of  them  having 
been  specially  prepared  for  army  circulation.  .The 
ordinary  religious  tract  was  extensively  used,  being 
easily  sent  and  supposed  to  be  peculiarly  appropriate. 
The  American  Messenger,  the  Tract  Journal,  and  tin- 
Christian  Banner,  soon  recommended  themselves,  and 
large  numbers  were  distributed.  As  the  feeling  grew 
that  the  soldiers  deserved  the  freshest  and  best  that 

685 


686  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

could  be  secured,  the  Commission  readily  adopted  the 
system  of  making  heavy  purchases  instead  of  relying 
upon  donations,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1863  began  the 
regular  distribution  of  the  religious  weekly  papers.  It 
should  be  remarked  that  from  the  beginning  of  the  war 
these  papers  were  sent  to  the  army  in  considerable  num- 
bers. Not  a  few  of  the  subscribers  to  them  went  into 
the  ranks,  and  requested  that  their  papers  should  follow 
them;  sometimes  the  chaplain  would  make  up  a  "club" 
from  his  regiment ;  the  publishers  generally  gave  notice 
that  their  journals  would  be  furnished  for  soldiers  at  the 
simple  cost  of  production,  and  many  subscribers,  in  remit- 
ting pay  for  themselves,  would  add  something  for  the 
"army  fund."1  But  the  action  of  the  Commission  greatly 
increased  this  army  circulation,  and  the  ablest  organs  of 
all  the  evangelical  denominations  were  sent  by  tens  of 
thousands  into  the  hospitals  and  camps  East  and  West. 
The  same  considerations  that  suggested  this  increase  of 
religious  periodicals  operated  also  to  improve  the  quality 
of  the  books  used.  Less  reliance  was  placed  upon  tracts 
and  the  smallest  kind  of  publications,  although  they  con- 
tinued to  be  abundantly  circulated,  and  a  better  and  more 
expensive  class  of  works  was  purchased,  alike  for  the  knap- 
sack and  the  library.  Many  of  these  books  were  printed 
and  bound  in  substantial  and  attractive  styles,  and  were 
every  way  worthy  of  the  wide  circulation  and  eager 
reception  which  they  received.  The  following  table  will 
show  the  increase,  from  year  to  year,  in  the  quantity 
and  value  of  publications  distributed,  and  will  partially 
indicate  also  the  improvement  in  quality.  The  knap- 

1  In  the  summer  of  1863  the  Commission  was  receiving,  in  this  way,  from  500 
to  1,000  copies  each  of  several  of  the  leading  weekly  religious  journals. 


PUBLICATIONS. 


687 


sack  books,  of  convenient  size  for  carrying  in  the  sol- 
dier's pocket  or  knapsack,  received  this  improvement 
more  than  any  others.  The  monthly  and  weekly  reli- 
gious papers  were  substituted  for  tracts.  The  "  Silent 
Comforter"  and  works  of  that  class, — sheets  of  Scripture 
texts  printed  in  large,  clear  type, — were  placed  in  the 
hospitals,  posted  where  the  eye  of  the  patient  could 
readily  see  them  as  he  lay  on  his  cot.  Libraries  were 
established  and  maintained  at  the  principal  stations  of 
the  Commission,  at  military  posts,  in  the  general  hospi- 
tals, and  on  the  naval  vessels  and  river  gunboats. 

YEARLY    DISTRIBUTION    OF    PUBLICATIONS. 


Second  Year. 

Third  Year. 

Fourth  Year. 
(four  months). 

Total  in  Four 
Years. 

Bibles,  Testaments,  etc  
Hymn  and  Psalm  Books  
Knapsack  Books  

102.56fl 
130,697 
115,757 
3,450 
34.653 
384,781 
10,953,706 

$59,919  40 

467,715 
371,8,59 
1,254,591 
39,713 
120,492 
2,931,469 
11.976,722 

$104,980  22 

569,594 
489,247 
4,326,676 
93,872 
346,536 
7,990,758 
13,681,342 

$446,574  26 

328,879 
379,150 
2,611,028 
159,781 
266.180 
6,818,994 
2,492,473 

$422,853  47 

1,466.748 
1,370,953 
8.308.052 
296,816 
767,861 
18.126,002 
39,104,243 

$1,034,327  35 

Library  Books  
MMJM/MICS  and  Pamphlets  
Monthly  and  Weekly  Papers  

Cash  value  of  Publications  

Of  this  total  amount,  $299,576.26  represents  the 
value  of  publications  donated  from  various  sources,  and 
$734,751.09  the  cost  of  those  purchased  by  the  Commis- 
sion,— showing  that  nearly  one-third  of  its  entire  cash 
receipts  ($2,524,512.56)  was  thus  expended.1  The  pro- 
portion in  which  the  several  Branches  of  the  Commis- 
sion participated  in  this  distribution  is  seen  in  the  fol- 
lowing table:  — 

1  It  is  evident,  from  the  facts  and  figures  given,  that  the  Commission  was 
enabled,  by  means  of  the  heavy  discounts  granted  to  it  by  the  publishers  and 
publishing  societies,  to  purchase  a  very  large  amount  of  reading-matter  for  the 
money  it  expended. 


38  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  PUBLICATIONS  FROM  THE  VARIOUS  OFFICES. 


OFFICES. 

laments,  etc. 

Psalm  Books 

Books. 

Booksf 

Pamphlets. 

Newspapers. 

Taracts° 

PHILADELPHIA  
Albany  
Baltimore  
Boston  
Brooklyn  

972,931 
300 
9,450 
6,777 
2,674 

648,590 
200 
5,500 
90,300 
4,450 

6,539,700 
«50 
31.772 
62.730 
64,570 

144,918 
450 
1,990 
17.500 
6,876 

449,223 
1,500 
2.354 
1,125 

72,565 
2  700 

10,608.725 
2.000 
184,800 
164.500 
202,820 
56550 

19,410.294 

10.000 
5,160.300 
897,107 
695,420 

Chicago  
Cincinnati  
Detroit  
Indianapolis  
Louisville  
New  York  
Peoria,  
Pittsburg  
St.  Louis  
St.  Paul  

4,300 
24.940 
700 
12,329 
54.478 
76.:«l 
28,608 
10,386 
20,813 

214.130 
170,341 
800 
3,280 
500 
108,866 
45,259 
32,036 
45,445 
256 

59,221 
533,683 
750 
25.619 
3.200 
460.224 
125,056 
179,420 
220,684 
273 

9.023 
35,438 

"  1.536 
1,000 
25.702 
1.956 
14.258 
33.823 
126 
570 

8,905 
34.486 
150 
1,734 
2,500 
44,941 
1,896 
106.630 
34.676 
176 

737,653 
2,153.910 
6,000 
18.569 
9,100 
1,347,438 
175.608 
1.286,700 
822,435 
8,500 

1,215,206 
2,423.579 
1,000 
223.302 
255.000 
5,070.234 
146.928 
148,920 
2,086,569 

Utica 

525 

7  615 

Washington  

132,006 
109  200 

1,000 

500 

1,650 

2,300 

333.079 

460,384 

Totals  

1,466,748 

1,370,953 

8,308,052 

296,816 

767,861 

18,126,002 

39,104,243 

To  the  foregoing  list  should  be  added  8,572  copies  of 
the  "  Silent  Comforter,"  "  Green  Pastures,"  etc., — hung 
up  in  hospitals,  on  vessels  of  war,  etc. 

One  of  the  most  striking  facts  indicated  in  the  above 
tables  is  the  large  circulation  of  the  Scriptures  in  the 
army.  Under  date  of  Sept.  18,  1862, — about  the  time 
that  the  headquarters  of  the  Christian  Commission  were 
established  in  Philadelphia, —  Mr.  Stuart  wrote  to  the 
American  Bible  Society,1  asking  if  it  would  grant  to  the 
Commission  "what  Bibles  and  Testaments  they  may 
need  in  their  work."  To  this  request  Kev.  Dr.  Taylor, 
Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Bible  Society,  replied 
on  the  20th:  —  "Your  letter  can  have  only  one  response. 
Most  cheerfully  will  our  Committee  and  Board  grant  all 
that  you  require  in  your  noble  labors."  Thus  promptly 
and  cordially  began  a  co-operation  the  results  of  which 


1  See  p.  84. 


PUBLICATIONS.  689 

form  a  chapter  unique  and  memorable  in  the  history  of 
Bible  distribution.1  The  demands  made  by  the  Com- 
mission upon  the  Society  were  unprecedented,  taxing 
and  over-taxing  its  great  facilities  for  manufacturing 
copies  of  the  Scriptures,  but  the  terms  of  the  generous 
engagement  were  never  modified,  and  the  spirit  and 
manner  in  which  the  service  was  rendered  were  no  less 
admirable  than  the  service  itself.  Under  date  of  Jan. 
23,  1863,  Dr.  Taylor  writes:  "I  take  pleasure  in  saying 
that  this  grant  of  20,000  Testaments  is  the  largest  in 
value  ($2,098.75)  ever  yet  made  to  any  one  body  by  the 
American  Bible  Society;  and  you  know  that  there  are 
more  where  these  come  from."  This  grant  was,  however, 
frequently  duplicated,  and  on  several  occasions  it  was 
greatly  exceeded,  once  (April  23,  1863)  by  the  single 
grant  of  more  than  150,000  volumes,  valued  at  not  less 
than  $10,000.  The  various  nationalities  of  our  troops 
were  well  shown  by  the  several  languages  in  which  these 
Scriptures  were  printed, — one  request  being  for  Testa- 
ments in  English,  German,  French,  Danish,  Italian, 
Spanish,  and  Portuguese.  The  Society  was  able  to 

1  Before  this  co-operation  began  the  Bible  Society  had  done  a  good  work  among 
the  soldiers.  In  pursuance  of  the  resolution  quoted  at  p.  84,  the  Society  desired 
"  that  no  soldier  willing  to  receive  one  should  go  to  the  battle-field  without  a  copy 
of  the  Word  of  God."  Upon  the  passage  of  the  resolution,  therefore,  May  '2, 
1861,  "steps  were  immediately  taken  by  the  agents  and  auxiliaries  of  the  Society 
throughout  the  country,  to  supply  the  soldiers  in  companies  and  regiments  at 
their  places  of  rendezvous  and  in  their  encampments  at  the  seat  of  war." 
Through  these  methods  "it  is  safe  to  say  that  from  650,000  to  700,000  vnlmm< 
were  distributed  in  the  armv  and  navy"  prior  to  May,  1862,  "besides  many 
thousands)  of  volumes  granted  specifically,  on  direct  application,  for  the  supply 
of  soldiers  and  sailors."  For  the  five  months  that  intervened  between  the  1st  of 
May  and  the  date  of  Mr.  Stuart's  first  application,  above,  the  work  of  distribution 
went  forward  through  the  same  channels  and  at  the  same  or  a  greater  rate.  See 
the  Bible  Society's  Annual  Reports  for  1862  and  1863. 
87 


690  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

manufacture  books  at  the  rate  of  from  nine  to  twelve 
copies  per  minute  of  the  working  day,  but  was  not 
always  able,  even  at  this  rate,  immediately  to  satisfy  all 
requests.  The  rapid  increase  of  distribution  among 
the  soldiers,  and  the  opportunities  for  giving  the  Scrip- 
tures to  the  communities  through  which  our  armies 
moved,  led  to  the  appointment,  in  June,  1864,  of  three 
General  Agents  or  Superintendents  for  the  oversight  of 
this  work.  Rev.  W.  H.  Gilbert  was  appointed  for  the 
armies  in  Virginia,  Rev.  W.  F.  Baird  for  the  armies  in 
Tennessee,  and  Rev.  S.  H.  Hall,  D.D.,  for  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Gulf.  These  Superintendents  were  chosen 
and  paid  by  the  Bible  Society,  but  were  also  commis- 
sioned and  furnished  with  subsistence,  transportation, 
quarters,  etc.,  by  the  Christian  Commission, — thus  act- 
ing officially  for  both  associations  and  reporting  to  both. 
Besides  the  grants  to  the  Christian  Commission,  amount- 
ing to  1,451,748  volumes,  valued  at  $179,824.99,  the 
Bible  Society  also  sent  to  the  army,  through  other 
agencies,  not  less  than  574,512  volumes, — making  their 
total  issues  for  this  purpose,  during  the  period  of  the 
civil  war,  amount  to  the  vast  number  of  2,026,260 
volumes.1  In  addition  to  this,  nearly  300,000  volumes 

1  In  a  private  note,  dated  October  17,  1867,  Kev.  Dr.  Taylor  says,  after  attest- 
ing the  figures  above  given:  — "But  to  these  figures  must  be  added  the  great 
supply  made  by  our  own  auxiliaries  to  regiments  going  out  from  almost  every 
State.  This  we  cannot  now  exactly  get  at,  but  it  was  very  large ;  and  it  was  a 
work  most  nobly  done  throughout  the  war,  chiefly  at  the  cost  of  those  patriotic 
Societies.  I  give  some  items,  so  far  as  reported,  but  the  returns  are  very  incom- 
plete: Maine,  11,224  volumes;  Vermont,  10,000;  Rhode  Island,  8,817;  New 
York  Bible  Society,  300,000;  New  Jersey  and  Delaware,  70,000 ;  Ohio,  nearly 
200,000;  Illinois,  at  least  150,000.  Massachusetts,  Pennsylvania,  and  other 
States  were  constantly  engaged  in  this  work.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  over  three 
millions  (3,000,000)  of  volumes  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  were  distributed  to  soldiers 
and  sailors  and  prisoners  of  war  during  the  conflict." 


PUBLICATIONS.  691 

were  granted  for  the  Confederate  armies  and  citizens  of 
the  States  in  rebellion, — the  government,  with  the  hearty 
approval  of  the  military  authorities,  permitting  the 
transmission  of  the  books  through  the  lines  of  the  army, 
and  the  Christian  Commission  furnishing  its  facilities  of 
transportation  for  the  same  purpose.1  It  is  gratifying 
to  know  that  the  receipts  of  the  Bible  Society  increased 
in  proportion  to  the  increase  of  demand  upon  its  benevo- 
lence,— so  that  its  income  for  the  year  ending  with 
April,  1865,  was  $677,851.36,  an  excess  of  $117,272.76 
over  the  previous  year,  and  the  largest  annual  income 
in  the  history  of  the  Society  by  $236,045.69,  being  also 
$241,894.44  more  than  "the  receipts  of  the  year  1860, 
when  all  the  Southern  States  co-operated  with  it."  Its 
immense  army  work  was  therefore  more  than  met  by 
the  increase  in  its  receipts,  so  that  the  ordinary  opera- 
tions of  the  Society  were  not  interfered  with. 

It  is  worthy  of  special  remark  that  this  vast  and  un- 
paralleled army  work  closed  with  the  close  of  the  first 
fifty  years  of  the  Bible  Society's  history, — a  fitting  con- 
summation to  a  memorable  period, — a  period  during 

1  In  this  connection,  the  subjoined  letter  will  be  of  interest :  — 

MKMIMHS,  August  8,  1804. 
MR.  GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C., 

Philadelphia,  Pa. : 

Dear  Sir:  We  have  received,  in  good  order,  the  twelve  boxes  marked  R.  A.  M., 
and  numbered  from  18967  to  18978,  containing  16,2">S  Bibles,  Testaments  :md 
portions  of  Scriptures,  for  the  Memphis  and  Shelby  County  Bible  Society, —  it 
being  the  first  instalment  of  50,000  volumes,  donated  by  the  American  I'.ihle 
Society,  for  the  Confederate  Army  and  citizens  in  the  Southwest.  Please  accept 
the  thanks  of  our  Society,  for  forwarding  this  grant,  from  New  York  to  Memphis, 
in  so  short  a  time  and  free  of  cost.  We  have  wagons  engaged,  and  :i  permit  t'nmi 
General  Washburn,  to  send  these  Scriptures  through  the  lines  to-morrow. 
Yours,  very  truly, 

KTHKI.  II.  I'OKTKK, 


692  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

which  the  receipts  of  the  Society  were  $10,434,953.74, 
and  its  issues  21,409,966  volumes.  It  was  proper,  as 
well  as  highly  significant,  that  two  such  institutions  as 
the  American  Bible  Society  and'  the  United  States 
Christian  Commission, — one  indicating  the  permanent 
and  growing  vigor  of  American  Christianity,  and  the 
other  indicating  its  power  to  meet  promptly  a  great 
emergency, —  should  be  found  in  hearty  and  effective 
co-operation.  The  final  correspondence  between  the 
two  bodies  is  here  given.  Under  date  of  March  12, 1866, 
Mr.  Stuart  wrote  to  Dr.  Taylor  as  follows : — 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir:  We  have  tried  all  along  in  these  years  of 
war  to  make  regular  and  suitable  acknowledgments  of  the  donations 
of  your  Society,  through  the  Christian  Commission,  to  the  army  and 
navy;  but  I  am  unwilling  to  close  the  record  of  our  Commission 
without  attempting  once  more  to  express  our  gratitude  and  admira- 
tion for  the  munificence  shown  by  the  American  Bible  Society,  in 
the  measures  adopted  for  supplying  our  national  defenders  with  God's 
Word.  Not  an  application  made  by  us  was  ever  refused,  although 
single  requisitions  have  often  been  presented  for  more  than  50,000 
copies  at  a  time;  but  on  the  contrary,  an  immediate  and  most 
generous  response  was  invariably  given.  The  Christian  Commission 
was  gladly  welcomed  as  the  great  agency  for  Bible  distribution  in 
the  army,  and  the  spirit  of  harmony  and  co-operation  which  charac- 
terized your  and  our  Society  was  a  forcible  illustration  of  that  Chris- 
tian love  which  "hopeth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  and  endureth 
all  things."  By  successive  grants  during  the  war,  your  Society  has 
passed  over  to  us  for  distribution  to  soldiers  and  sailors,  of  Bibles, 
Testaments,  and  portions  of  Scripture,  1,451,748  volumes,  valued 
at  8179,824.99.  Such  appropriations  by  one  benevolent  organization 
for  distribution  through  the  operations  of  another  have  hitherto 
been  unknown  in  the  history  of  benevolent  institutions.  The  result 
has  been  most  happy.  Without  this  co-operation  of  the  Bible 
Society  our  field  work  would  have  lost  half  its  power ;  and  on  the 
other  hand,  if  the  Christian  Commission  had  been  organized  for  the 


PUBLICATIONS.  693 

express  purpose  of  Bible  distribution,  it  could  not  have  accomplished 
it  better.  In  this  feeling  of  gratitude  on  the  part  of  the  Commission 
our  agents  and  Delegates  in  the  field  unanimously  agree.  We  have 
been  gratified  by  the  expressions  of  surprise  which  have  come  from 
them,  on  their  arrival  in  the  field,  at  the  abundant  and  free  pro- 
vision of  the  Word  which  they  found  waiting  their  distribution  to 
hungry  men.  Doubtless  one  of  our  Delegates  in  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  a  pastor  from  Massachusetts,  expressed  the  prevalent 
feeling  among  them  when  he  said  :  "  I  have  contributed  to  the  Bible 
Society  all  my  life,  but  I  never  knew  its  worth  and  power  till  to-day. 
The  first  collection  I  shall  ask  from  my  church  will  be  for  that 
Society,  to  buy  Testaments  for  soldiers,  and  the  next  will  be  for  the 
Christian  Commission  to  send  men,  to  hand  them  over."  Our  work 
in  hospital  and  camp  has  ceased  ;  but  the  results  of  the  efforts  which 
in  your  name  we  were  enabled  to  make  will  never  cease.  There  are 
few  homes  in  the  land  where  a  Union  soldier  has  thrown  off  his 
knapsack  without  bringing  back  from  the  war  a  book  from  your 
press ;  and  to  many  a  home  has  the  pocket-worn  Testament  found 
its  way  as  the  only  memento  of  him  who  will  never  return.  It  is 
the  heirloom  in  the  family  henceforth.  May  this  seed  so  widely  and 
happily  scattered  spring  into  abundant  harvests,  and  may  the  Ameri- 
can Bible  Society  go  forth  in  the  confidence,  affection,  and  generous 
support  of  the  people,  to  put  a  copy  of  God's  Word  in  every  home 
in  the  land,  and  send  it  in  every  tongue  to  every  nation  of  the  earth. 
Very  truly  yours, 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman. 

Upon  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers of  the  Bible  Society  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tions :  — 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  rejoice  with  the  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Commission,  in  the  completion  of  their  arduous,  self-sacrificing, 
patriotic,  Christian  work,  and  that  they  have  secured  for  themselves 
and  the  Gospel  they  represented  the  gratitude  of  our  country. 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  regard  it  as  a  most  gracious  providence 
that  such  an  uirency  was  raised  up  in  this  time  of  our  country's 
exigency,  and  that  this  Society  was  enabled  to  avail  itself  so  largely 


694  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

of  its  aid  in  sending  to  our  noble  soldiers  and  sailors  on  the  battle- 
field, in  the  camp,  and  in  the  hospital,  the  "Word  of  Life. 

Resolved,  That  the  whole  history  of  the  Christian  Commission, 
constituting  as  it  does  an  unparalleled  illustration  of  Christian  love 
and  benevolent  devotion,  should  be  written  out  and  preserved  for  the 
instruction  of,  and  as  a  model  to,  our  children  and  our  children's 
children. 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  transmit  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Christian  Commission  a  copy  of  these  resolutions,  and 
express  to  him  our  wishes  for  his  speedy  restoration  to  health. 

This  action  of  the  Board  w,.s  enclosed,  according  to 
instructions,  in  the  following  letter  of  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor :  — 

To  GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman  U.  S.  C.  C. : 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  and  pleasure  of  transmitting  the 
enclosed  response  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  American  Bible 
Society  to  the  very  eloquent  letter  in  which  you  have  officially  ex- 
pressed the  final  acknowledgment  of  the  United  States  Christian  Com- 
mission, of  the  grants  of  Bibles  and  Testaments,  and  portions  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  etc.  In  addition  to  this  formal  action  of  th'e 
Managers,  it  is  my  great  pleasure  to  state,  that  during  the  years  of 
wasting  war  which  by  the  grace  of  God  called  your  admirable  Com- 
mission into  existence,  and  gave  it  scope  and  power,  it  has  been  a 
great  providential  helper  in  our  specific  Bible  work  in  the  army  and 
navy  of  the  United  States.  The  large  grants  which  were  confided 
to  the  Christian  Commission  were  justified  only  by  the  emergencies 
of  the  conflict,  and  by  the  faithfulness  and  intelligent  zeal  with 
which  it  discharged  the  weighty  responsibilities  of  this  part  of  its 
high  calling.  Our  correspondence  and  co-operation  have  always 
been  conducted  upon  the  most  liberal  principles  of  Christian  service 
for  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  It  has  produced  warm 
attachments,  enlarged  liberality,  expanded  efforts,  and  the  deepest 
human  and  Christian  sympathies.  More  than  all,  God  has  blessed 
the  work  from  its  inception  to  its  completion.  Its  course  has  been 
eminently  providential,  as  its  widest  issues  are  unseen  and  eternal. 
The  closing  of  this  great  instrumentality  was  well  adapted  to  its 
object,  history,  and  results.  Your  noble  work  is  done.  Its  record  is 


PUBLICATIONS.  695 

immortal.  No  old,  effete  system  of  faith  and  morals  could  have 
given  birth  to  your  organization.  It  was  distinctively  American 
and  Christian,  the  offspring  of  enlightened  patriotism  and  of  our 
New  Testament  religion.  And  it  was  fitting  that  as  it  sprang  from 
the  Bible,  it  should  make  the  Bible  its  chief  object  of  distribution. 
No  such  organized  system  of  Bible  distribution  ever  existed  before 
among  the  armies  or  nations  of  the  earth  in  times  of  war.  Every 
one  of  your  5,000  Delegates  and  representatives  became  to  a  greater 
or  less  degree  a  Bible  distributor,  among  men  who  were  hourly  ex- 
posed to  danger  and  to  death,  in  camps,  ships,  and  battle-fields ;  in 
hospitals,  forts,  and  sieges  ;  on  weary  marches,  and  on  seas,  and  bays, 
and  rivers,  and  ports.  Your  touching  letter  of  acknowledgment 
does  not  overstate  the  blessings  of  this  good  work.  And  now,  we 
thank  you  and  all  whom  you  represent  for  every  volume  of  the  Word 
of  God  which  you  have  carried  to  every  soldier  and  sailor  of  the 
Union.  We  thank  you  for  all  that  you  have  transported  to  the  Con- 
federate troops,  or  given  their  sick  and  wounded  and  dying  men, 
upon  the  battle-fields  and  hospitals  where  they  were  stretched.  For 
your  Christ-like  ministrations  to  tens  of  thousands  of  prisoners  of 
war,  of  both  sides,  we  thank  you ;  and  for  the  noble  completion  of 
your  great  work  in  all  its  varieties  of  labor  and  of  love,  the  whole 
nation  and  the  Church  of  God  bless  you  from  henceforth. 

Accept  also,  my  dear  sir,  for  yourself,  as  Chairman  of  the  Chris- 
tian Commission,  the  assurances  of  our  heartfelt  respect  and  desires 
for  the  full  recovery  of  your  health  during  your  visit  to  the  Old 
World.  Yours,  very  truly, 

W.  J.  R.  TAYLOR,  Corres.  Secretary. 

To  the  foregoing  it  may  be  permitted  to  add  the  fol- 
lowing testimonial  from  the  Jubilee  Memorial  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  prepared  for  the  Board  of 
Managers  by  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Ferris,  Chancellor  of  the 
University  of  New  York  City  :  — 

To  the  Christian  Commission,  composed  of  volunteer  laborers  from 
the  ministry,  the  college  fraternity,  the  theological  seminary,  the 
counting-room,  the  home-circle,  the  sous  and  the  daughters  of  tht 


696  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Christian  family,  we  and  our  country  cannot  be  too  emphatic  in  our 
thanks,  as  theirs  was  a  work  of  the  highest  Christian  benevolence, 
ministering  to  the  bodily  comfort  of  our  brave  soldiers,  but  especially 
to  their  soul's  welfare,  in  circumstances  of  great  danger  on  the  battle- 
field, and  under  various  exposures  and  hardships  in  the  camps  and 
hospitals,  on  the  land  and  on  the  sea.  Through  this  channel  were 
distributed  1,451,748  volumes,  valued  at  $179,824.99.  Theirs  and 
ours  has  been  the  joy  to  know  that  the  most  blessed  fruits  accom- 
panied and  followed  the  united  Christian  services.  The  whole  con- 
stitutes a  model  chapter  in  the  history  of  evangelical  benevolence. 
The  wise  ordering  of  Providence  enabled  us  thus  to  reach  many  a 
man  who  had  not  been  within  our  reach  before,  to  revive  the  heart 
of  many  a  true  Christian  soldier,  to  impart  comfort  to  many  a  dying 
brave,  and,  with  the  survivors,  to  send  many  a  copy  of  the  Scriptures 
to  homes  in  the  wilderness,  and  these  made  dearer  by  the  circum- 
stances in  which  obtained.1 

In  March,  1863,  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  London,  forwarded  to  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion, in  a  very  courteous  manner,  for  distribution  in  the 
army,  a  donation  of  15,000  volumes,  valued  at  $1,677.79, 
— accompanied  by  the  assurance  that  additional  ship- 
ments would  be  made  if  desired.  These  volumes  were 
"portions"  of  Scripture, — as  the  book  of  Psalms,  or  a 
single  Gospel,  etc., — very  neatly  bound  in  flexible 
covers,  in  small  and  convenient  form  for  the  pocket. 
They  were  widely  distributed  as  presents  among  the 
officers  and  others,  and  were  highly  prized.  This  gift 
from  the  London  Society,  at  a  time  when  political 
feeling  ran  high  in  both  countries,  was  an  assurance 

1  An  agent  in  charge  of  the  Commission's  work  in  the  Department  of  North 
Carolina  wrote  to  the  New  York  office  :  —  "  Copies  of  the  Bible  and  Testament 
were  thankfully  received.  Great  numbers  of  men,  returning  to  their  distant 
homes,  applied  for  these,  and  for  a  few  small  religious  books,  for  the  '  children,'— 
showing  clearly  that  through  months  and  years  of  hardship  and  exposure  to 
manifold  temptations  they  still  retained  fond  memories  of  home." 


PUBLICATIONS.  697 

that  there  was  not  wanting,  among  English  Christians,  a 
true  sympathy  and  appreciation  for  us  and  our  struggle. 
This  fact  was  frequently  alluded  to  at  the  time,  and  with 
most  happy  effect,  in  the  various  documents  and  addresses 
put  forth  by  the  Christian  Commission  and  its  repre- 
sentatives. Mr.  Stuart  was  afterward  permitted  to  ac- 
knowledge in  person  this  generous  act  of  international 
Christian  courtesy.1 

1  See  p.  281.  The  duty  on  these  books  was  remitted  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury. 

In  February,  1865,  Mr.  Robert  Mackenzie,  of  Dundee,  Scotland,  wrote  an 
admirable  little  book,  entitled  America  and  Her  Army.  Its  object,  as  stated  in 
the  Preface,  was  "to  sketch  the  remarkable  measures  which  America  has  adopted 
for  the  benefit  of  her  army,  with  the  remarkable  results  which  have  been  gained." 
The  operations  of  the  Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions,  and  of  other  agencies, 
were  briefly  but  very  cleacly  stated  and  illustrated,  in  a  spirit  of  most  cordial 
appreciation.  "  There  has  been  nothing  more  unusual,"  says  Mr.  Mackenzie,  "  in 
the  case  of  the  war  now  raging  in  America,  than  the  care  which  the  Northern 
people  have  exercised  over  their  army.  It  can  scarcely  fail  to  introduce  a  new 
era  in  the  history  of  the  soldiers  of  Christian  States.  America  has  impressively 
reminded  us  of  the  duty  we  owe  to  the  men  who  fight  our  battles.  The  noble 
lesson  she  has  taught  cannot  be  too  carefully  studied."  Special  emphasis  was 
given  to  the  distinctively  religious  work  among  the  soldiers.  The  book  was  pub- 
lished, in  an  attractive  style,  by  Messrs.  T.  Nelson  &  Sons,  of  Edinburgh  (see  p. 
531),  and  gratuitously  circulated,  as  a  testimonial  of  their  sympathy  for  the 
American  cause.  The  following  letter  from  our  Secretary  of  State  to  Mr.  Nelson 

fitly  characterizes  this  generous  action  :  — 

DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE,  "> 
WASHINGTON,  March  23.  1865.      J 

My  Dear  Sir:  Our  excellent  Consul  at  Liverpool  has  sent  me  two  copies  of  a 
tract,  America  and  Her  Army,  written  by  Mr.  Robert  Mackenzie,  which  is  pub- 
lished by  you,  and,  as  I  understand,  gratuitously,  as  a  contribution  to  the  cause 
of  the  United  States  in  the  present  unhappy  civil  war.  I  pray  you  to  accept  my 
thanks  for  this  manifestation  of  your  sympathy.  The  book  is  .-o  '  genially 
written,  and  yet  with  so  much  of  truth  and  reason,  that  it  can  well  be  accepted 
by  our  countrymen  as  a  compensation  for  columns  of  reproach  which  have  hccii 
poured  upon  us  by  the  cm-mir-  of  freedom  and  humanity  in  Knghmd.  I  have 
taken  great  pleasure  in  laying  one  of  the  two  copies  In 'Co  re  the  I're.-idcnt  of  the 
United  Stales,  and  I  am  requested  l>y  him  to  add  his  thanks  to  those  which  I 
have  expressed  in  my  own  behalf.  I  am,  dear  sir,  very  faithfully  your-, 

MB.  THOMAS  NELSON,  London.  WU.I.IAM  11.  SKWARD. 


698  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

It  should  also  be  stated  that  the  American  and  For- 
eign Bible  Society,  New  York,  sent  into  the  army, 
through  various  agencies,  donations  of  Scriptures  to  the 
amount  of  93,707  volumes,  valued  at  $16,863.92.1  The 
American  Bible  Union,  New  York,  likewise  circulated 
in  the  army  about  50,000  copies  of  the  New  Testament, 
in  whole  or  in  part.2 

The  Roman  Catholic  version  (Douay)  of  the  Bible 
was  gratuitously  distributed  to  some  extent,  by  the 
Christian  Commission  and  other  agencies,  to  those  sol- 
diers and  sailors  who  preferred  it.  The  Commission 
would  not  appropriate  funds  for  this  version,  but  distri- 
buted such  copies  as  were  donated.3 

The  two  American  Tract  Societies,  at  Boston  and  New 
York,  early  gave  attention  to  the  wants  of  the  army,  as 
has  been  elsewhere  stated.4  Both  co-operated  cordially 

r  Mr.  U.  D.  Ward,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Society,  furnishes  these 
figures,  in  a  letter  dated  October  23,  1867,  and  adds:  —  "Our  grants  may  have 
been  more  than  this,  but  this  is  as  near  as  I  am  at  present  able  to  learn." 

2  Mr.  Wm.  D.  Wright,  Assistant  Treasurer  of  the  Union,  under  date  of  October 
25,  1867,  gives  this  as  an  approximate  statement, —  the  Society  not  having  kept  a 
very  accurate  account  of  their  army  distribution. 

3  Messrs.  Lucas  Brothers,  of  Baltimore,  from  whom  the  Douay  Scriptures  were 
procured,  in  a  letter  dated  October  23,  1867,  say :  —  "  We  find  that  we  furnished 
positively  for  parties  for  the  Christian  Commission  8,480  Testaments ;  and  about 
600  more  of  the  same,  which  we  have  good  reason  to  believe  were  for  the  Commis- 
sion ;  and  also  about  400  Bibles,  which  we  believe  went  to  the  army,  but  are  not 
positive,  as  they  were  furnished  through  other  dealers."     Among  the  orders  from 
the  field  on  file  is  one  from  Mr.  Cole,  asking  for  "  two  thousand  Douay  Testa- 
ments," lor  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

An  approximate  statement  of  the  entire  circulation  of  the  Scriptures  among 
the  soldiers,  during  the  four  years  of  the  war,  would  therefore  be  as  follows,  in 
accordance  with  the  above  figures :  — 


American  Bible  Society 3,000,000 1 


American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.     93,707 
American  Bible  Union 50,000 


Douay  Version 9.480 

Total 3,168,187  ' 

*  See  pp.  84,  85. 


British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society..     15,000  vols. 


PUBLICATIONS.  699 

with  the  Christian  Commission,  making  to  it  donations 
of  books  and  papers,  and  selling  at  the  lowest  prices. 
In  June,  1864,  the  Boston  Society  adopted  the  following 
resolutions:  — 

1.  That  the  Committee  on  Charities  be  authorized  to  grant  to  the 
Christian  Commission  the  publications  of  this  Society,  to  such  amount 
as  the  charitable  funds  will  permit,  provided  that  said  Commission 
shall  purchase  an  equal  quantity  of  said  publications  at  cost. 

2.  That  if  the  Christian  Commission  shall  accept  the  above  pro- 
posal, and  thus  distribute  our  publications  through  the  army,  our 
own  independent  system  of  distributions  shall  be  discontinued. 

This  proposal  was  accepted  by  the  Commission,  and 
was  substantially  adhered  to  during  the  rest  of  the  war. 
The  grants  received  from  the  Society  were  valued  at 
$6,846.53.1  The  Tract  Society  at  New  York  made 
arrangements  with  the  Commission  that  were  favorable 
to  the  efficiency  of  both  associations,  proposing,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  to  furnish  gratis  as  large  an  edition  of  the 
monthly  American  Messenger  as  the  Commission  could 
circulate,  and  constantly  making  also  large  donations 
of  its  various  publications.  Its  total  grants  to  the 
Commission,  in  books  and  papers,  were  valued  at 
$19,886.03.2 

• 

1  One  instance  of  extraordinary  despatch,  creditable  alike  to  author,  publishers, 
and  printers,  is  worthy  of  record.  The  Tract  Society  in  Boston  proposed  publish- 
ing a  little  book,  entitled  "  Mustered  Out,"  to  be  distributed  among  the  soldiers, 
ns  a  parting  gift,  at  the  time  the  main  portion  of  the  army  was  discharged,  in 
the  spring  of  1865.  On  advising  the  Christian  Commission  of  the  fact,  a  large 
order  was  at  once  forwarded  by  telegraph,  for  the  emergency  was  pressing.  K.  . 
Dr.  Kirk  wrote  the  book  in  two  days;  it  was  put  in  type  and  stereoty|>ed  in  two 
thy-:  printed  in  two  days;  bound  in  one  day;  and  shipped  to  the  Hold  in  jn-t 
a  week  from  the  time  the  manuscript  wa<  commenced.  See  above,  p.  --'.*>. 

-  IJoth   the  Trad   .-Wit-tie-:  did   the  principal  part  of  their  army  work  tlm>ii-!i 
si>ecial  agencies  and  laborers  of  their  own, —  their  Held  missionaries  maintain- 


700  ANNALS   O^1    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Other  Societies,  as  the  American  Sunday-School 
Union,  Tract  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication,  Presbyterian  Publi- 
cation Committee,  American  Baptist  Publication  Society, 
Protestant  Episcopal  Book  Society,  Massachusetts  Sab- 
bath-School Society,  American  Reform  Tract  and  Book 
Society,  New  York  Sabbath  Committee,  etc.,  etc.,  with 
many  private  publishers,  gave  their  co-operation,  and 
were  desirous  of  a  share  in  the  patriotic  and  Christian 
work  of  furnishing  the  army  with  attractive  and  whole- 
some reading.  Several  of  these  Societies  adopted  the 
principle  of  making  donations  to  the  Commission,  in 
publications,  equal  in  value  to  its  purchases.  Frequently 
a  denominational  Society  would  receive  from  a  contri- 
buting church  or  ecclesiastical  body  a  donation  in  money, 
sometimes  of  $1,000  or  more,  with  the  request  that  its 
value  in  publications  be  sent  to  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. Private  publishers  as  well  as  Societies  often  sold 
their  books  to  the  Commission  at  a  discount  of  50  per 
cent,  and  authors  of  valuable  works  remitted  the  whole 
or  a  portion  of  their  copyright. 

In  the  monthly  and  weekly  religious  newspapers  dis- 

jng,  however,  intimate  intercourse  with  the  Delegates  and  army  agents  of  the 
Commission.  From  statements  kindly  furnished  by  the  officers  of  the  two 
Societies,  it  appears  that  the  Society  at  New  York  "  prepared  and  printed  during 
the  war,  for  the  army  and  navy,  247  distinct  works,  of  which  in  the  aggregate 
6,570,000  copies  were  circulated ;  it  also  furnished  for  the  army,  in  four  years, 
2,799,000  copies  of  the  American  Messenger,  and  expended  above  $200,000  for 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  soldiery."  The  Society  at  Boston  "  published  for  the 
army,  of  books  of  all  kinds,  910,227  copies ;  tracts,  2,156,500  copies ;  papers, 
4,685,400  copies;"  and  expended  upon  their  army  work  "$105,715.23,— not 
including  the  publications  sold  to  other  institutions  and  to  individuals,  and 
excepting  also  their  ordinary  grants,  many  of  which  ultimately  reached  the 
army." 


PUBLICATIONS.  701 

tributed,  all  the  evangelical  publishing  societies  were  re- 
presented and  all  the  evangelical  denominations.  About 
sixty  different  papers  were  included  in  the  list.  Their 
ordinary  circulation  was  taken  as  the  standard  of  the 
popular  demand  for  the  several  journals,  and  the  Com- 
mission divided  its  total  purchases  among  them  in  the 
same  proportion, — so  that  the  paper  which  circulated  most 
widely  at  home  was  circulated  most  widely  in  the  army 
also.  This  method  recommended  itself  as  the  fairest  for 
all  concerned,  and  as  likely  to  secure  for  each  soldier 
the  religious  journal  to  which  he  had  previously  been 
accustomed.  The  figures  show  that  the  total  newspaper 
circulation  by  the  Commission  rose  from  less  than  two 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  copies  per  month  in  1863, 
in  which  year  it  may  be  said  really  to  have  begun  (the 
previous  distributions  having  been  mainly  donations  of 
second-hand  papers1),  to  more  than  one  million  five 

1  The  Commission  did  not  begin  the  purchase  of  weekly  religious  papers  until  the 
latter  part  of  1863, —  the  first  shipment  from  Boston  being  in  the  last  week  of 
October.  Previous  to  that  there  had  been  large  donations  and  some  purchases 
of  the  monthly  papers  of  the  several  evangelical  publishing  societies,  and  weekly 
papers  had  also  been  donated  in  considerable  quantities,  through  special  subscrip- 
tions for  the  same,  as  explained  on  p.  686.  In  what  way  a  good  work  was  done 
by  various  local  societies  is  shown  in  the  following  circular,  issued  by  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  February,  1863,  and  distributed 
in  all  the  families  of  the  city :  — 

For  the  past  two  yours,  tlio  prisoners  at  the  jail  have  been  supplier!  weekly  with  religion-  paper* 
that  have  been  gathered  from  families  as  soon  as  possil.li>  after  being  read.  Tin's.-  p;.]» -r-  an- 
usually  collected  ou  Tuesday,  and  distributed  the  following  Thursday  or  Sunday, —  thus  affording  to 
those  "in  prison"  quite  fresh  religious  reading-matter.  The  prisoners  show  «  great  deal  of  grnti- 
tndi-  (in  them,  and  are  very  eager  to  get  them.  Families  too  poor  to  subscribe  have  been  Mippli.-d 
in  the  Mime  niiinner.  We  now  propose,  to  send  these  papers  to  soldiers  whom  w.-  know  will  appre- 
ciate th.-m.  The  Committee  of  the  ('In -istiiin  Commission  off.-r  to  pay  the  postage  on  papers  m  Bent. 
]|  you  have  not  already  such  use,  or  any  use  for  your  weekly  religions  paper,  we  >!..  h.-iel.v  -"li.it 
it  for  such  purposes.  If  any  have  had  and  now  have  the  benefit  of  your  paper  alter  you  have  .l,.ne 
with  it,  we  desire  not  to  change  its  course,  as  there  are  undoubtedly  enough  in  our  city  for  us  that 
are  not  now  in  use.  Please  have  the  paper  ready  for  the  messenger  when  he  comes  next  Tuesday, 
if  you  conclude  to  accede  to  this  request;  if  not,  pleu>e  hand  him  this  note  and  he  will  not  call 
again. 


702 


ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


hundred  thousand  copies  per  month  in  the  beginning 
of  1865.1 

It  would  be  of  great  interest,  if  it  were  possible,  to 
give  the  names  of  places  at  which  this  vast  amount  of 
reading-matter  was  distributed.2  The  list  would  include 

1 "  The  number  of  periodicals  sent  out  from  the  New  York  office  alone  amounted, 
not  unfrequently,  to  from  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  to  two  hundred  thou- 
sand copies  per  month."  —  Memorial  Record,  p.  28. 

«  PUBLICATIONS  SENT  TO  THE  FOLLOWING  POINTS,  FROM  THE  CEN- 
TRAL OFFICE,  PHILADELPHIA,  FROM  JANUARY  1  TO  DECEMBER  31, 
1864. 


DESTINATION. 

Scrip- 
tures. 

Hymn  and 
Vsalm 
Books. 

Knapsack 
Books. 

Library 
Books. 

6.074 
3,808 
221 
1,941 
1,031 
50 
1,582 
425 
598 

25 

182 
12 
33 
110 
2 
301 
1,011 
2 

Magal's 

an.I    1'am- 
phlets. 

Religion 
News- 
papers. 

Pages  of 

Silent 
Com- 
forter. 

Washington.  D.  C  
Baltimore,  Md  
Annapolis,  Md  

56,716 
18.331 
185 
5,895 
58,897 
22.500 
11  '2.933 
20,789 

100,870 
25,005 
4,736 
6.805 
2,086 
1.706 
45,365 
8,494 

821,014 
377.756 
32,122 
65.083 
317,061 
198,785 
1,060,621 
283.608 
2,626 
17,951 
5,100 
10,195 
35,853 
4.433 
5.603 
62 
1,750 
35.622 
158,715 
4,475 
6.453 
8,181 
945 
2,593 
5,500 
11,434 
4.286 
4.723 
10,880 
20.960 
3,250 
16,578 
8,452 
67,703 
17,840 
170 
2.774 
1,600 
154,440 
3,900 
149,112 

32.051 
10,187 
134 
18,300 
9,943 
3.500 
19,117 
750 
2,100 
110 

""225 
100 
150 

""502 
13,750 

939.319 

240.733 
85.832 
139,943 

yoo.291 

93,142 
;'>C,'.l.<;i.-,s 
534.694 
400,270 
37,003 
1,750 
900 
25,019 
11,158 
64.215 
10,919 
22,102 
85,348 
233,596 
16,163 
21,408 
24,111 
12,183 
11.089 
81645 
18,980 
18,691 
1,525 
2,050 
36,631 
16,888 
22.203 
1,184 
137!561 
48.528 
5;530 
12,800 
85 
29.257 
12,636 
158,324 

1,979.272 

.,.,-  .,.,.., 

751430 
42,250 
416,618 

145.7.™ 
1.55.-..724 
492,955 

98,565 
12.525 
36.906 
121.098 
15,166 
38,200 

"'500 
105.734 

272.027 
9.484 
13.659 
28,780 

12,440 

10.928 
12,964 
15.410 
46,610 
35,088 
250 
47,630 
99.635 
15t).!l«.lO 
47,510 
4,000 
300 
400 
99.415 
2,928 
227,874 

803 
310 
24 
60 
1,070 

"720 
60 
35 
55 
...... 

15 
30 

10 
201 
3 
....„ 

12 
....„ 

'"l6 
6 
31 
10 

30 
80 

"ios 

Cincinnati,  Ohio  
Louisville  Ky  

St  Louis  Mo  

Nashville,  Tenn  
New  York  N  Y 

Cairo  111  

200 
1,670 

"1,864 
40 
461 
200 

2,575 
200 
700 
728 
649 
250 
60 

Springfield,  111  
Knoxville,  Tenn  
Martinsburg  Va 

Yorktown,  Va  
Johnson's  Island,  Ohio  
Purkersburg,  West  Va.  
Newark,  N.  J  

Fort  Delaware,  Del  

8 
18,300 
1,945 
8 
25 

'"305 

2,295 
3,651 
3.551 
1,136 
1,844 
25 
1,600 

Chester.Pa  
York  Pa 

Wheeling,  West  Va  
Wilmington,  Del  
Carlisle,  Pa  

334 

26 
248 
1,950 
130 

2,845 

22,475 
"200 

Harrisburg.  Pa  
Camp  William  Penn,  Pa  
Chambersburg,  Pa  

250 
200 

2,300 
1,800 
320 
600 
1,100 
600 
265 
11,919 
4,712 
700 
200 
200 
100 
4,361 
50 
10,460 

Portland,  Me  
Elmira  N  Y 

100 
5 
50 
3.932 
780 
775 

3,718 
150 
8,363 

200 
91 
58 
67 
121 
850 
100 
20 

200 

""'228 

""622 

7,650 
100 

New  Albany.  Ind  
Harper's  Ferry,  Va  
Alexandria,  Va  

Philadelphia  Hospitals,  Pa... 
IiMi.-  pulis.  Ind  
Pottsville  Pa  

(k'ttvslmi-g,  Pa  

San  Francisco,  Cal  
Fortress  Monroe,  Va  
Kock  Island,  111  
Miscellaneous  

162 
3,925 

25,690 

"  1,000 
81,204 

Totals  

339,595 

254,018  3.940,209 

227,443 

4,491,664 

0,509,257 

3,698 

PUBLICATIONS.  703 

nearly  all  the  encampments  and  posts  of  all  the  armies. 
But  the  data  for  such  an  exhibit  are  not  preserved.  The 
preceding  table  gives  a  very  partial  indication,  showing 
the  destination  of  the  publications  from  the  Central 
Office  alone  during  the  single  year  of  1864, — being 
about  one-half  of  the  distributions  for  that  year. 

The  eagerness  with  which  this  reading-matter  was 
received,  and  the  advantages  resulting  from  it,  have 
been  repeatedly  shown  in  the  narratives  and  incidents 
heretofore  given.  To  make  an  adequate  statement  would 
require  the  publication  of  the  greater  part  of  the  Dele- 
gates' and  agents'  reports,  and  then  the  story  would  not 
be  wholly  told.  A  few  additional  illustrations  will, 
however,  not  be  out  of  pla<3e.  As  to  the  general  results 
of  the  distribution  of  the  Scriptures  in  the  army  and 
navy,  the  Annual  Report  of  the  Bible  Society,  for  1864, 
says: — 

The  deductions  drawn  in  our  last  Annual  Report  respecting  the 
power  and  value  of  the  Scriptures,  and  our  wide  distribution  of  them 
in  the  army  and  navy,  are  fully  confirmed  by  the  experience  of 
another  year.  The  demand  for  the  Scriptures  continues  unabated. 
The  treatment  of  the  Bible  or  Testament  by  the  soldier  is  declared, 
by  men  who  have  seen  much  of  the  armies,  to  be,  as  a  rule,  reverent 
and  proper.  On  this  subject,  one  of  the  most  experienced  Delegates 
of  the  Christian  Commission,  in  an  address  to  the  Board  of  Mana- 
gers, gave  this  testimony :  — "  After  much  observation,  I  am  led  to 
the  belief,  that  the  soldier's  Bible  receives  better  care  than  most  other 
things  he  possesses.  I  have  never  seen  a  copy  of  the  Scriptures 
wantonly  destroyed  or  thrown  away.  I  have  seen  a  torn  Bible  on 
the  battle-field  sprinkled  with  blood,  that  no  soldier  would  take  (it 
seemed  too  sacred),  and  it  was  buried  with  him  who  once  possessed  it 
I  have  been  astonished  to  find  in  field  hospitals  so  many  copies  <>f  th«- 
sacred  Scriptures  hidden  away  in  the  bosoms  of  poor  wound.  .1  frllows. 
when  everything  else  had  been  sacrificed  to  the  Moloch  of  war.  I 


704  ANNALS   OF   THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

have  known  a  soldier  to  fling  away  everything,  even  to  his  last  shirt, 
and  preserve  his  Bible.  I  firmly  believe  that,  instead  of  receiving 
worse  treatment,  the  soldier's  Bible  received  from  your  noble  Society 
is,  as  a  general  rule,  better  cared  for  than  any  other  book  or  mate- 
rial that  he  possesses." l  While  this  testimony  is  true  as  a  general 
rule,  it  has  some  exceptions,  but  they  are  comparatively  trifling.  As 
to  its  effect  upon  the  discipline  of  the  camp,  the  intellectual  and 
moral  influences  of  the  Word  of  God,  there  is  a  stream  of  uniform 
and  satisfactory  evidence.  But  the  spiritual  and  everlasting  results, 
who  can  estimate  ?  We  know  that  thousands  of  soldiers  have  been 
hopefully  converted  to  God  by  the  power  of  truth  during  the  past 
year ;  that  many  backslidden  Christians  have  been  restored ;  that, 
extensive  and  powerful  revivals  of  religion  have  been  and  are  now 
in  progress  in  portions  of  the  great  Armies  of  the  Potomac,  and 
of  the  Cumberland,  and  the  Tennessee.  Large  and  small  Bible- 
classes  have  been  regularly  maintained,  and  religious  services  have 
been  thronged  night  after  night  by  thousands  of  our  soldiers.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  seems  to  have  become 
equally  developed,  and  the  powers  of  good  and  of  evil  are  thus 
brought  into  sharper  conflict  for  and  against  the  truth,  and  for  the 
possession  of  the  immortal  souls  of  the  hosts  that  stand  with  their 
lives  in  jeopardy  every  day.  Amid  these  strange  scenes,  the  Bible, 
by  the  power  and  demonstration  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  doing  its 
appropriate  work.  From  some  of  the  naval  vessels  also  we  have 
had  good  tidings.  The  great  inference  from  this  part  of  our  Report 
is  this,  that  we  have  every  encouragement  to  sustain  and  intensify 
this  vast  distribution  of  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  to  secure  to  it  every 
possible  degree  of  system,  responsibility,  and  power;  and  to  make  it 
more  than  ever  a  work  of  faith  and  a  labor  of  love  for  our  country 
and  our  God. 

Scarcely  a  Delegate  could  be  found  in  the  whole 
number  who  would  not  fully  understand  and  confirm 
Mr.  O.  W.  Fay's  testimony,  as  he  writes  from  Cairo,  111., 
under  date  of  March  22,  1864  :  — 

1  Address  of  Rev.  Geo.  J.  Mingins,  Bible  Society  Btcord,  February,  1864,  p.  19. 


PUBLICATIONS.  705 

We  shall  soon  need  our  stock  of  English  Testaments  replenished. 
We  also  need,  very  much,  pocket  Bibles.  Those  sent  were  very 
acceptable  indeed,  but  we  are  now  entirely  out,  as  we  usually  are. 
Soldiers'  prayer  books  are  needed, — the  small  ones,  about  the  size 
of  the  Soldiers'  Hymn  Book,  containing  prayers  and  hymns.  If  the 
Christian  brethren  could  see  such  anxiety, — amounting  almost  to 
rudeness, —  as  I  saw  yesterday,  when  distributing  Testaments  and 
hymn  books  and  prayer  books,  they  would  rejoice  to  be  permitted  to 
supply  such  a  demand.  There  were  half  a  dozen  hands  extended  at 
a  time  to  receive  a  Testament,  and  for  prayer  books.  There  was  an 
actual  strife  as  to  who  should  have  them,  because  I  had  not  enough 

for  all Dr.  T.,  at  the  hospital,  said  he  wished  he  had  some 

Scripture  passages,  printed  in  large,  clear  type,  to  post.over  each 
man's  head,  on  the  wall,  also  to  post  on  the  wall  opposite  the  door, 
so  that  it  would  "  meet  the  eyes  and  thrill  the  heart  of  the  patient  as 
he  enters  the  ward."  He  seemed  so  anxious  about  it  that  I  told  him 
I  would  try  to  get  something  for  him.  Where  such  requests  come 
from  the  surgeon  of  a  hospital  in  which  the  nurses  are  Catholics,  I 
think  they  should  be  heeded  and  answered. 

Quite  similar  is  the  earlier  evidence,  in  another  field, 
of  Rev.  F.  N.  Peloubet,  of  Oakham,  Mass.,  who  was  a 
Delegate  among  the  troops  in  Virginia,  in  1862.  He 

writes  :  — 

I  have  always  had  a  deal  of  pity  for  tract  distributors, —  poor 
martyrs!  —  with  the  whole  world  for  their  inquisition,  and  refusals, 
and  .scorn,  and  indifference  for  their  instruments  of  torture,  who 

Moil  and  toil  till  evening  gray, 
At  thankless  work,  for  scanty  pay. 

But  in  the  army  I  have  learned  a  "  new  song."  I  have  seen  men 
hungry  for  reading, —  hungry  as  if  they  had  been  more  than  the  five 
days  in  a  moral  "  Starvation  Valley,"  without  even  the  five  hard- 
tacks for  the  five  days.  I  have  seen  men  l«>«.k  earnestly.  ]>lra«linir 
with  their  eyes,  "Give  me  one  grain  of  corn,  brother,"  as  they  -aw 
little  tracts  given  to  those  near  them  ;  I  have  seen  them  gather 


706  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

around  the  ambulance  Avhence  we  were  distributing  Messengers,  old 
and  new,  tracts,  old  religious  papers,  hymn  books,  and  some  periodi- 
cals,— pressing  eagerly  for  a  drop  of  the  blessing.  Everywhere  men 
are  ready  and  waiting  ;  the  religious  paper  neglected  at  home  is  read 
here ;  the  tract,  scorned  and  wasted  at  home,  is  grasped  eagerly  here 
with  a  "  thank  you."  We  do  not  know,  in  our  pleasant  towns,  with 
reading  as  common  almost  as  air,  what  it  is  to  hunger  and  thirst  for 
something  to  read.  Now  is  the  time  to  pour  forth  our  good  religious 
reading.  Not  that  written  for  the  soldier  in  particular,  but  that 
written  for  the  human  soul.  The  soldiers  love  to  see  the  citizen's 
dress  in  their  reading  as  w7ell  as  on  their  friends.  What  ive  like  to 
read,  they  like  to  read.  After  some  prayer-meetings  in  a  regimental 
hospital,  there  was  much  gratitude  expressed ;  they  were  glad  we 
came  and  prayed  with  them ;  they  wrere  glad  to  see  men  fresh  from 
home,  free  from  all  the  trappings  of  war,  to  converse  with,  and  pray 
with,  and  talk  to,  as  in  our  parishes  at  home.  And  it  is  much  the 
same  with  reading. 

The  members  of  the  various  Executive  Committees, 
as  well  at  the  Central  Office  as  in  the  several  Branches, 
would  doubtless  approve  the  carefully-weighed  state- 
ment of  the  New  York  Committee.  "  In  looking  back 
upon  their  work  the  Committee  feel  that,  next  to  the 
relieving  of  present  physical  wants,  through  the  per- 
sonal agency  of  the  Delegates,  the  providing  and  fur- 
nishing suitable  books,  magazines,  and  newspapers, 
conferred  the  greatest  and  most  permanent  benefits  upon 
the  soldiers  and  sailors.  Wherever  this  provision  was 
made  the  effects  were  most  manifest  in  the  employments, 
habits,  and  general  conduct  of  the  men.  The  intense 
eagerness  with  which  reading-matter  was  invariably 
received  is  the  best  possible  evidence  of  its  usefulness. 
In  re-reading  the  correspondence  of  the  Committee  it 
has  been  a  matter  of  surprise  to  see  what  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  letters  of  the  Delegates,  and  of  chaplains 


PUBLICATIONS.  707 

and  officers,  is  occupied  either  in  applying  for  books 
and  papers,  or  in  giving  an  account  of  the  interest  with 
which  they  were  received  and  read." 

Numerous  conversions  were  reported,  as  the  fruit  of 
the  religious  publications  distributed,  and  numerous 
acknowledgments,  by  officers  and  privates,  of  the  great 
help  derived  from  such  books  as  "  The  Blood  of  Jesus," 
"Come  to  Jesus,"  "The  Little  Captain,"  etc.,  etc.  Many 
of  the  little  books  had  titles  so  apposite  and  suggestive, 
that  even  the  names  themselves  exerted  a  manifest  influ- 
ence, as  in  this  incident,  given  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Smith, 
from  Chattanooga,  October  19,  1863: — 

I  handed  one  of  our  books,  "  Where  is  Jesus?"  to  a  soldier  jester- 
day.  He  looked  at  the  title  and  said, "  I  found  that  out  before  I  left 
home,  or  I  would  not  have  dared  to  come  to  the  army."  A  little 
after  a  fine,  smooth-faced  boy,  from  Michigan,  came  in.  I  showed 
the  same  book  to  him.  He  looked  at  it,  and  his  eyes  brimmed  with 
tears  as  he  said,  "  That's  what  I  want  to  know." 

The  distribution  of  newspapers  was  a  work  of  unfail- 
ing interest.  These  were  so  fresh  and  homelike  that 
they  were  sought  with  peculiar  avidity.  Mr.  Isaac 
Russell,  in  his  report  of  the  Commission's  operations  at 
Louisville  for  1864,  says: — 

Early  in  the  year  Chaplain  W.  \V.  Meech,  who  has  most  exten- 
sively aided  the  Commission  from  the  first,  was  ordered  from  the 
Hospital  at  Louisville  to  the  charge  of  that  at  Bowling  Green.  He 
at  once  proposed  to  do  a  good  work  for  the  troops  on  guard  duty 
aloug  the  line  of  the  Louisville  and  Nashville  Railroad,  as  often  as 
he  could  spare  the  time  from  his  duties  in  the  hospitals,  camps,  bar- 
racks, and  military  prison  at  the  post.  This  was  truly  doing  the 
work  of  the  Commission  at  railroad  speed.  Most  of  the  guarded 
points  are  passed  without  stopping,  and  it  required  constant  attention 


708  ANNALS   OF    THE   CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

to  know  and  improve  the  favored  moment  of  passing  a  fort  or 
stockade.  The  chaplain  has  often  stood  on  the  platform  for  miles, 
watching,  with  a  roll  of  papers  in  hand,  lest  he  should  miss  the 
opportunity  of  cheering  a  squad  of  these  soldiers  with  our  reading, 
and  has  felt  amply  repaid  as  he  has  seen  how  eagerly  they  ran  to 
get  the  boon.  At  some  of  the  stockades  on  the  lower  part  of  the 
road  the  soldiers  have  put  a  board  on  a  post,  silently  asking  passen- 
gers to  "  DROP  A  PAPER."  At  one  place  they  have  printed,  in  large 
capitals,  on  the  white  side  of  a  poncho  or  gum  blanket,  "  PLEASE 
DROP  PAPERS."  As  the  train  approaches,  two  of  them  hold  up  the 
request,  and,  if  need  be,  shake  it  to  secure  attention.  The  papers 
once  thrown  off,  there  is  a  race  who  will  first  get  them,  and  then  all 
gather  around  for  the  news  and  good  reading  they  contain.  About 
thirty  points  have  been  supplied  by  the  chaplain,  besides  occasional 
parcels  sent  to  places  off  the  line  of  the  road.  It  has  been  an  inter- 
esting field  of  operation,  and  must  have  benefited  not  less  than 
three  thousand  men  at  each  distribution. 

This  was  a  branch  of  the  work  that,  more  than  any 
other,  could  be  systematically  and  effectively  prosecuted 
among  the  naval  forces.  The  Committee  at  Peoria,  in 
1864,  ma^e  arrangements  by  which  they  were  "  enabled 
to  send  a  package  of  books  and  papers,  semi-monthly, 
to  every  one  of  the  fifty-nine  vessels  composing  the 
Mississippi  Squadron."  The  Committee  at  New  York 
supplied,  on  an  average,  about  two  hundred  and  forty 
ships  with  monthly  packages  of  reading-matter.  The 
naval  officers  rendered  every  facility  for  this  distribu- 
tion, and  manifested  a  cordial  appreciation  of  it.  An 
example  of  many  is  this  letter  from  Commander  Rodgers 
to  Mr.  Stuart: — 

U.  S.  STEAMER  IROQUOIS,  "I 
BALTIMORE,  March  26,  1864.      } 

Dear  Sir:  I  beg  leave  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  the  valuable 
box  of  religious  reading,  sent  by  you  from  the  United  States  Chris- 
tian Commission,  for  the  use  of  the  crew  of  this  ship.  I  beg  to 


PUBLICATIONS.  709 

convey  through  you  my  grateful  sense  of  the  value  of  this  gift,  and 
I  trust  that,  with  God's  blessing,  it  may  exercise  a  very  salutary 
influence  upon  those  for  whose  benefit  it  is  intended.  I  shall  have 
much  gratification  in  looking  after  the  careful  use  of  these  books, 
and  I  offer  you  my  warmest  thanks  for  the  means  of  doing  good 
which  you  have  placed  in  my  keeping. 

I  remain,  dear  sir,  with  great  respect, 

Your  obliged  and  obedient  servant, 

C.  R.  P.  RODGERS,  Commander  U.  S.  N., 

Commanding  U.  S.  sfcamer  Iroquois. 

Rev.  J.  Stockbridge,  a  chaplain  in  the  navy,  gives 
this  lively  sketch  of  the  way  in  which  the  papers  fur- 
nished him  by  the  Christian  Commission  satisfied  the 
cravings  of  his  men  :  — 

We  have  in  this  hospital  from  three  hundred  and  fifty  to  three 
hundred  and  seventy-five  patients, — the  number  changing  daily. 
Every  Sunday  morning  I  place  within  the  reach  of  each  patient  a 
paper  of  his  own  denomination,  if  evangelical.  In  passing  through 
the  wards  special  care  is  taken  to  supply  the  comparatively  few  who 
are  confined  to  their  cots.  Come  with  me,  and  you  shall  see 
how  it  is  done.  Here  is  a  patient,  suffering  young  man ;  leg 
off' at  the  thigh;  —  bursting  of  a  Parrott  gun  did.  it.  "I  have  a 
variety  of  religious  papers  here ;  to  what  denomination  do  you  be- 
long?" "Methodist,  sir."  "Where  from?"  "Massachusetts." 
"  You  want  the  Zion's  Herald."  I  hand  him  a  copy ;  it  kike*  him 
right  home ;  and  if  the  person  who  paid  for  that  copy  could  see  the 
smile  that  lights  up  the  poor  fellow's  face,  he  would  say,  "My  money 
has  paid  me  a  hundred  fold." 

Here  is  a  lad  of  sixteen,  very  feeble,  the  son  of  a  widow.  "  My 
lad,  what  kind  of  a  paper  do  you  want?"  "Baptist."  "Win-P- 
are you  from?"  "Philadelphia."  "The  Chronicle  is  your  paper;" 
and  I  hand  him  one,  which  he  accepts  with  thanks  and  a  smile. 

Here  is  a  gray-bearded  sailor,  ripening  for  the  sickle  of  the  great 
reaper.  "Shipmate,  what  kind  of  a  paper  will  you  have?"  "Metho- 
dist." "  What  State  are  you  from  ?"  "New  York."  I  hand  him  a 
copy  of  the  Advocate  and  Journal.  He  lays  the  paper  in  his  lap, 


710  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

and,  while  getting  his  spectacles  ready,  he  thinks  of  the  time,  a  good 
while  ago,  when  he  read  that  paper  in  the  presence  of  the  old  folks 
at  home,  amid  the  pattering  of  little  feet,  and  the  quick  step  of  Mary 
in  the  room  overhead,  who  is  "putting  on  her  things"  to  go  to  Sun- 
day school.  He  tries  his  spectacles,  but  the  reading  is  blurred.  He 
takes  off  his  glasses  and  looks  at  them ;  nothing  is  the  matter  with 
them  ;  it  is  the  tear  that  is  in  his  eye. 

Here  is  a  stout  young  man,  lying  on  a  cot.  "  What  kind  of  a 
paper  will  you  have,  mv  man?"  "Baptist."  "Where  are  you 
from?"  ''Boston."  I  hand  him  a  copy  of  the  Watchman  and 
Reflector. 

A  wide-awake  young  man  runs  up  to  me,  and  says,  "  Have  you 
got  a  copy  of  the  Congregationalist?"  "You  are  a  Yankee." 
"  Exactly."  I  hand  him  a  copy  of  the  paper  his  mother  is  reading 
that  very  day. 

Here  is  a  Presbyterian  from  New  York  State.  "  Are  you  Old 
School  or  New  School  ? "  That  is  evidently  a  poser  for  him  ;  he 
don't  know  what  to  answer.  "  Do  you  take  the  Evangelist,  or  the 
Observer,  at  home?"  "Oh,  the  Observer"  I  give  him  a  copy,  and 
he  is  soon  "  under  the  trees  "  with  Irenseus. 

Some  men  take  a  fancy  to  the  Christian  Intelligencer,  because  it 
displays  an  American  flag  at  the  head  of  its  first  column. 

Miss  Rankin,  a  missionary  of  the  American  and 
Foreign  Christian  Union,  at  Monterey,  Mexico,  sends 
the  following  suggestive  incident  in  her  own  experi- 
ence :  — 

/  MONTEREY,  MEXICO,  August  10,  1865. 

Observing  a  requisition  for  facts  connected  with  the  operations  of 
the  Christian  Commission,  I  felt  constrained  to  mention  one,  among 
many  others,  which  shows  the  superior  value  of  that  institution.  In 
the  spring  of  1865  I  left  New  Orleans  for  Mexico,  on  a  United  States 
transport.  Before  leaving  I  obtained  a  quantity  of  reading-matter 
from  the  office  of  the  Christian  Commission  in  New  Orleans,  as  I 
knew  that  a  company  of  United  States  soldiers  were  to  be  carried 
upon  the  transport  to  Brazos  Santiago.  Besides  the  soldiers,  there 
were  also  on  board  quite  a  number  of  officers,  belonging  to  different 


PUBLICATIONS.  711 

departments  of  the  service.  I  reserved  my  reading-matter  until  the 
Sabbath,  believing  it  would  then  be  more  likely  to  benefit  the  men. 
Accordingly,  when  that  holy  day  dawned,  some  twenty-four  hours' 
travel  from  the  Brazos,  I  waited  with  earnest  hope  for  an  opportunity 
to  circulate  the  books  and  papers  in  my  possession.  The  opportunity 
soon  occurred.  Two  officers  came  into  the  cabin.  One  said  to  the 
other,  "Shall  we  have  a  game  of  whist?"  At  once  I  placed  upon 
the  table  several  of  the  latest  religious  papers,  which  were  seized  with 
such  avidity  that  I  felt  sure  the  game  of  whist  would  not  be  played 
that  day  at  least.  I  then  took  as  many  of  the  small  army  books  and 
papers  as  I  could  well  carry  upon  the  upper  deck,  where  were  more 
•than  one  hundred  soldiers,  sitting  and  lying  in  perfect  listlessness, 
without  seeming  to  know  how  to  occupy  themselves.  Several  of  the 
men,  observing  me,  came  forward,  and  very  respectfully  and  thank- 
fully took  the  books  and  papers,  and  distributed  them  among  the 
rest.  I  never  witnessed  more  delight  manifested  than  by  these  men 
in  obtaining  periodicals  with  which  they  had  been  familiar  in  their 
far-distant  homes.  One  would  say  of  the  Messenger,  "  This  is  the 
paper  my  mother  always  took  and  loved."  Another,  "  The  JVr«o 
York  Observer  is  an  old  friend."  And  almost  every  one  had  some 
expression  of  gratification.  Thus  a  blessed  Sabbath  was  saved  from 
desecration,  and  the  Gospel  brought  to  bear  upon  the  minds  and 
hearts  of  these  men  in  a  way,  we  may  hope,  which  will  bring  forth 
fruit  for  eternity.  MELINDA  RANK  IN. 

Reference  has  several  times  been  made  to  the  labors 
of  the  Commission  among  the  colored  troops.  They 
were  supplied  with  elementary  school  books  of  all  kinds, 
and  also  with  periodicals,1  Scripture  portions,  and  other 
publications  suited  to  their  circumstances  and  atniin- 

1  Rev.  I.  P.  Warren,  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  Boston,  in  a  communica- 
tion already  quoted,  gives  these  facts  respecting  one  paper  alone :  —  "  In  January, 
1864,  was  begun  the  publication  of  the  Freedman,  a  small  illu-tnited  monthly 
paper,  designed  to  aid  in  teaching  the  colored  jH-opIe,  iM.tli  in  the  army  and  fist- 
where.  Of  this  tin-re  had  Wii  pnblUhed,  tip  to  IVtvmU-r.  l.Mi'>,  1,423,000 
copies.  It  is  believed  that  fully  three-fourths  of  tlu-e  wi-n-  distributed  to  colored 
soldiers  or  their  families.1' 


712  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

ments.  Not  a  few  of  them  could  appreciate  the  read- 
ing-matter furnished  for  general  distribution,  and  none 
showed  greater  eagerness  or  gratification  than  they.  To 
be  able  to  read  the  New  Testament  was  to  these  new- 
made  men  a  marvellous  acquisition,  and  to  own  the 
Book  itself  was  to  secure  an  incalculable  prize.  A 
Delegate  writes :  — 

The  colored  soldiers,  many  of  them,  are  trying  hard  to  learn,  and 
some  of  them  succeed  far  beyond  what  could  be  expected.  It  is  not 
an  uncommon  thing  to  see  them  go  forth  in  the  morning,  to  a  twenty- 
four  hours'  picket  duty,  with  a  musket  in  one  hand  and  a  book  in 
the  other, — a  fact  full  of  significance.  They  prize  the  books  and 
papers  provided  for  them  by  the  Christian  Commission  very  highly, 
and  are  very  thankful  for  them.  They  often  say  that  there  must  be 
mighty  good  folks  up  in  the  North,  to  send  them  down  such  nice  books 
and  papers  for  them  to  learn  out  of. 

A  chaplain,  in  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  some 
reading-matter  for  his  regiment,  says  :  — 

The  primers  and  spelling-books  for  the  contrabands  I  will  distri- 
bute at  my  earliest  opportunity.  I  intend  to  start  a  school  myself 
among  them,  if  my  duties  will  permit, — and  I  think  I  can  arrange 
them  for  it, — and  I  will  report  you  my  success.  I  gave  primers  to 
boys  employed  in  the  regiment.  One  of  them,  the  colonel  told  me 
to-day,  lay  by  his  fire  until  midnight,  trying  to  decipher  his  letters. 
I  gave  another  to  a  bright  youngster,  and  a  few  minutes  after  I  saw 
him  sitting  on  a  stump,  while  a  little  drummer-boy  was  teaching  him 
to  read. 

This  record  would  be  far  from  complete  were  it  to 
omit  "  Lizzie's  Letter."  It  will  best  explain  itself,  and 
is  as  follows :  — 

PHILADELPHIA,  April  17,  1863. 

My  Dear  Soldier :  I  send  you  a  little  Testament.  I  am  a  little  girl 
seven  years  old.  I  want  to  do  something  for  the  soldiers  who  do  so 
much  for  us ;  so  I  have  saved  my  pocket-money  to  send  you  this. 


PUBLICATIONS.  713 

Although  I  have  never  seen  you,  I  intend  to  begin  to  pray  that  God 
will  make  and  keep  you  good.  Oh,  how  sorry  I  am  that  you  have 
t«»  leave  your  dear  mother.  Did  she  cry  when  you  bade  her  good- 
bye? Don't  you  often  think  of  her  at  night,  when  you  are  going  to 
bed  ?  Do  you  kneel  down  and  say  your  prayers  ?  If  I  were  you,  I 
would  not  care  if  the  other  soldiers  did  laugh  ;  God  will  smile  upon 
you.  I  am  sorry,  very  sorry  that  you  are  sick.  I  wish  that  I  could 
go  to  nurse  you.  I  could  bathe  your  head,  and  read  to  you.  Do 
you  know  the  hymn, 

"  There  is  a  happy  land  ?  " 

I  hope  you  will  go  to  that  land  when  you  die.  But  remember,  I  will 
pray  that  you  may  get  well  again. 

When  you  are  able  to  sit  up,  I  wish  you  to  write  to  me,  and  tell 
me  all  your  troubles. 

Enclosed  you  will  find  a  postage  stamp.  I  live  at  No.  —  North 
Ninth  street.  Good-bye.  Your  friend, 

LIZZIE  S . 

The  letter  was  addressed,  with  the  Testament,  to 
"  Some  Sick  Soldier,"  and  was  sent  to  a  hospital  in 
Nashville,  where  it  was  given,  by  a  Delegate  of  the 
Commission,  to  a  soldier  in  the  convalescent  ward  of 
Hospital  No.  8.  He  was  the  "  first  soldier  who  rose  to 
request  prayer  for  his  salvation,  in  the  first  meeting 
there  after  the  precious  Testament  and  letter  arrived  in 
Nashville."  A  few  days  after  he  wrote  to  Lizzie  the 
fol  lowing  reply  :  — 

NASHVILLE,  TKNX.,  April  24,  18«3. 

My  Dear  SlMer  Lizzie:  I  received  your  kind  letter  from  Mr.  C.  I. 
M.  A  beautiful  present  indeed,  and  I  trust  it  will  be  one  of  the 
means  of  converting  others,  as  well  as  the  receiver.  May  God  bless 
the  giver!  You  have  done  a  good  work.  Continue  to  pray,  dear 
sister;  and  God  will  answer  you.  He  says  so  in  his  w-nl. 

My  dear  mother  is  in  the  grave.     It  is  nearly  eleven  years  since 

90 


714  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

she  died  ;  but  she  died  happy,  and  I  trust  I  shall  meet  her  in  heaven. 
I  will  try  and  pray  for  myself.  Have  been  in  the  hospital  four 
months,  but  am  now  nearly  well ;  will  be  able  to  join  my  regiment 
to  face  the  enemy ;  and  if  I  should  fall  on  the  battle-field,  I  may 
have  the  blessed  assurance  of  meeting  my  Saviour  in  peace. 

Yes,  "  there  is  a  happy  land."  May  we  meet  in  that  happy  land. 
I  do  not  think  that  my  fellow-soldiers  will  deter  me  from  serving  my 
Master.  There  are  many  others  here  that  his  Spirit  is  striving  with. 

I  expect  to  go  home  to  see  my  dear  friends  once  more.  Am  very 
thankful  that  the  privilege  is  granted,  and  I  trust  we  shall  have  a 
happy  meeting.  Dear  Lizzie,  I  must  close.  May  God  bless  you,  is 
my  prayer.  Write  me  again. 

Address  your  friend,  S L N , 

Fmirth  Mich.  Cavalry,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

This  correspondence  became  one  of  the  most  effective 
publications  of  the  war.  It  found  its  way  into  all  the 
newspapers.  It  was  also  issued  in  letter  form  by  the 
American  Tract  Society,  New  York,  and  was  circulated 
at  home  and  in  the  army  by  tens  of  thousands.  It 
stimulated  the  manufacture  of  housewives  and  comfort- 
bags,  into  which  were  put  multitudes  of  letters  similar 
to  Lizzie's  gem. 

In  April,  1864,  the  Christian  Commission  assumed 
the  work  of  distributing  the  leading  secular  magazines 
and  reviews  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  This 
enterprise  originated  with  Rev.  J.  C.  Thomas,  chaplain 
of  the  Eighty-eighth  Illinois  Regiment.  As  early  as 
December,  1862,  Chaplain  Thomas  began  to  study  the 
question  of  supplying  his  regiment  with  the  best  and 
freshest  periodical  literature,  secular  as  well  as  religious, 
with  promptness  and  regularity,  and  at  the  least  expense. 
Correspondence  with  publishers  showed  that  they  were 
ready  to  furnish  their  publications  at  half-price ;  con- 


PUBLICATIONS.  715 

sultatlon  with  other  chaplains  showed  that  they  were 
ready  to  co-operate  in  the  movement ;  the  Adams  Ex- 
press Company  signified  their  willingness  to-  carry  all 
packages  free ;  and  thus  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
became,  to  some  extent,  cheaply  supplied  with  good 
secular  reading, — political,  scientific,  and  literary.  Chap- 
lain Thomas  had  the  encouragement  of  all  his  superior 
officers,  who  entered  heartily  into  the  spirit  and  purpose 
of  his  design,  and  during  1863  the  plan  was  greatly 
enlarged  and  improved.  It  soon  came  to  include  the 
best  books  as  well  as  the  best  periodicals,  and  the  forma- 
tion of  portable  libraries  for  regiments,  hospitals,  etc. 
The  same  facilities  could  be  secured  for  the  one  class  of 
reading  as  for  the  other,  and  they  were  both  equally 
desired  by  the  soldiers.  In  September,  18G3,  Chaplain 
Thomas  was  detailed  by  General  G.  H.  Thomas  (not  a 
relative)  as  "  General  Heading  Agent  for  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland."  He  at  once  set  about  perfecting  and 
carrying  out  his  plan.  For  some  time  he  had  felt  the 
necessity  of  being  in  close  connection  with  one  of  the 
national  societies  at  work  in  the  army,  in  order  to  give 
greater  comprehensiveness  and  efficiency  to  his  move- 
ment, and  urged  its  adoption  by  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion. The  Commission  hesitated  about  engaging  in  such 
an  enterprise,  partly  because  it  involved  the  receiving 
of  pay  from  the  soldiers  for  the  reading-matter  distri- 
buted to  them,  and  partly  because  it  involved  the  distri- 
bution of  secular  literature, — neither  of  which  were 
sanctioned  by  the  Commission's  ordinary  methods  of 
operation.  After  a  few  months,  however,  the  work  was 
undertaken,  with  very  beneficial  results.1 

1  The  Commission  was  requested  to  do  this,  by  General  Thomas,  commander 


716  ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

The  distribution  of  secular  periodical  literature  through 
the  Commission  did  not  include  newspapers,  but  only 
magazines  and  reviews ;  nor  did  it  become  general,  but 
was  confined  to  the  Western  armies.  It  did  not  really 
violate  the  Commission's  principle  of  gratuitous  service, 
for  the  periodicals  were  sold  at  the  exact  cost  price,  or 
cheaper  if  it  was  not  possible  to  make  the  exact  change, 
— as  in  the  case  of  postage  stamps.1  In  this  way  large 
numbers  of  such  periodicals  as  the  Edinburgh,  North 
British,  and  North  American  Reviews,  Eclectic  Maga- 
zine, Atlantic  Monthly,  Harpers'  Magazine,  Littell's 
Living  Age,  etc.,  etc.,  were  circulated.  In  order  to  pre- 
vent misapprehension  each  magazine  bore  a  label,  of 
which  this  is  a  specimen  :  — 


BOUGHT  OF  THE  PUBLISHERS  AT  30  CTS. 

TRANSPORTED    BY    ADAMS    EXPRESS    COMPANY    FREE. 

Sold  at  our  Rooms  and  by  Distributors  at  30  Cts. 

But  only  to  the  Army  and  Navy  and  in  Single  Numbers. 

Hnitrt  State  -$. 

* 


The  formation  of  libraries  requires  a  more  detailed 
statement.  In  prosecuting  this  work  Chaplain  Thomas 
became  directly  connected  with  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion, as  General  Library  Agent,  and  the  movement  em- 

of  the  Army,  and  by  other  officers,  and  the  request  was?  strongly  endorsed  by  Eev. 
E.  P.  Smith,  the  Commission's  General  Field  Agent. 
1  See  p.  487. 


LOAN    LIBRARIES.  717 

braced  the  preparation  of  libraries  for  all  parts  of  the 
army,  under  what  was  known  as 

THE    LOAN    LIBRARY    SYSTEM.1 

This  system,  in  the  form  finally  reached  during  1864, 
may  be  most  clearly  explained  under  the  following 
particulars : 

1.  Arrangements  were  made  with  the  leading  pub- 
lishers, almost  without  exception,  by  which  their  books 
were  purchased  at  one-half  the  retail  price.  They 
agreed  to  this  in  January,  1864,  and,  although  the  cost 
of  printing  and  materials  increased  very  greatly  during 
the  year,  they  did  not  advance  their  prices.  From  their 
catalogues,  about  one  hundred  in  number,  an  army  cata- 
logue was  compiled  by  Chaplain  Thomas,  including  all 
the  books  deemed  suitable  for  army  libraries,  with  the 
prices  affixed.  In  choosing  books  these  rules  were  ob- 
served :  "  None  but  the  best  works ;  none  but  the  best, 
most  suitable  and  cheapest  editions;  secular  work-  as 
well  as  religious;  utility  rather  than  variety."  One 
house  in  each  of  the  principal  publishing  centres, — Bos- 
ton,New  York,  Philadelphia, and  Cincinnati, — consented 
to  act  as  agents,  for  receiving,  packing,  and  forward- 
ing, without  charge,  all  the  purchases  made  in  their 
respective  cities.  These  houses  were,  Gould  &  Lincoln, 
Boston;  Chas.  Scribner  &  Co.,2  New  York;  Ash- 

1  Chaplain  Thomas  has  kindly  furnished  (he  materials  for  this  account  of  tin- 
Loan  Liliraries.  The  system  was  suggested  to  him  by  the  plan  of  tin-  American 
Seaman's  Friend  Society. 

-  How  generously  and  heartily  these  men  bore  their  gratuitously-a^unm!  l>ur- 
den  is  seen  in  this  incident.  After  acting  for  some  months,  nvrivini;  and  di<- 
tributing  orders  among  twenty-five  publishers,  receiving  packages,  paying  bills, 
and  packing  and  shipping  books,  Messrs.  tScribner  &  Co.  (by  Mr.  Arm-ii..n-  . 


718  ANNALS    OF    THE   CHRISTIAN   COMMISSION. 

niead  &  Evans,  Philadelphia;    and  Poe  &  Hitchcock, 
Cincinnati. 

2.  The  Government  supplied  cases  for  the  libraries. 
The  first  sixty  were  made  by  order  of  General  Thomas, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War, — the 
Commission  being  meanwhile  responsible  for  the  ex- 
pense. The  Secretary  approved  the  order,  and  granted  a 
requisition  also  for  two  hundred  and  forty  more.1  Each 
case  was  three  feet  square,  and  eight  inches  deep ;  corners 
dove-tailed  and  iron-bound.  Shelves  for  books,  18mo, 
16mo,  12mo,  and  8vo,  with  the  spaces  between  the  shelves 
respectively  six  and  a  half,  seven  and  a  half,  eight  and  a 


wrote  to  Chaplain  Thomas,  under  date  of  Sept.  10,  1864: — "It  has  been  con- 
siderable trouble  to  us ;  yet  we  are  willing  to  do  twice,  yes,  ten  times,  as  much  for 
our  brave  soldiers;  and  only  wish  (the  writer's  wish)  that  we  had  shoulders 
broad  enough  and  arms  strong  enough  to  crush  this  cursed  rebellion,  and  bring 
or  send  every  soldier  to  his  own  fireside.  As  it  is,  you  and  they  have  our  morn- 
ing and  evening  prayers,  and  our  further  offer  to  do  all  in  our  power." 

1  The  Government  and  military  authorities  showed  very  great  interest  in  this 
matter.  Chaplain  Thomas's  plan  was  formally  commended  by  twenty  promi- 
nent general  army  officers ;  and  his  request  for  the  book  cases  was  endorsed  by 
the  Surgeon-General  and  the  Quartermaster-General, — "  to  cost  not  over  six  dol- 
lars each."  Among  the  tokens  of  approval  received  was  the  following : — 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND,     ~) 
STEAMER  TUSCARORA,  TENNESSEE  RIVER,  Jan.  11,  1865.  / 
CHAPLAIN  J.  C.  THOMAS,  General  Eeading  Agent,  U.  S.  C.  C.  : 

Dear  Sir :  Your  communication  of  the  31st  ult,  has  been  received.  Your  sum- 
mary of  the  successes  of  the  library  and  magazine  enterprise  during  the  past  year 
is  most  gratifying  to  General  Thomas  and  myself,  as  it  must  be  to  you  who  have 
been  so  deeply  interested  in  it.  To  you  the  praise  is  due,  and  I  am  directed  by 
the  Major-General  commanding  to  tender  you  his  thanks  for  the  untiring  energy, 
even  when  afflicted  with  a  depressing  disease,  which  you  have  displayed  in  this 
noble  enterprise.  That  the  God  of  armies  may  long  keep  you  in  health  and 
strength  to  continue  the  good  work,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  the  writer. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  D.  WHIFFLE, 
Brig.-Gen.  and  Chief  of  Staff. 


LOAN    LIBRARIES. 


719 


half,  and  ten  and  a  half  inches.  Two  panel-doors,  each 
with  good  lock  and  key.  Case  stained,  except  door- 
panels,  and  varnished.  Door-panels  marked: 


u.  s. 

U.  S. 

COMMISSION 

COMMISSION 

LOAN 

LOAN 

200 

(or  other  number.) 

200 

3.  Each   library  contained   125  volumes, — standard 
popular   books  of  history,    biography,    poetry,   fiction, 
science,  religion,  etc., — all   appropriately  labeled   and 
numbered,  and  neatly  covered  and  numbered  on  the 
cover.     On  the  inside  of  the  door  to  each  library  (out- 
side,  therefore,  when  the   library  was    opened)   was  a 
catalogue,  in  large  type,  with  the  names  of  the  books 
arranged  alphabetically  by  authors,  and  numbered,  with 
additional  numbers  and  spaces  up  to  160.     Additional 
catalogues  on  cards  were  also  provided,  for  the  special 
convenience  of  patients  who  were  unable  to  go  to  the 
library. 

4.  The  library,  as  thus  prepared,  was  not  given  to  the 
hospital,  camp,  vessel,  or  other  place  of  its  deposit,  but 
loaned,  subject  to  the  control  of  the  Commission,  and  to 


720  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

be  returned  to  it  when  no  longer  needed.  The  library 
was  confided  to  the  chaplain,  surgeon,  or  other  responsi- 
ble person  who  consented  to  act  as  librarian.  He  was 
required  to  sign  a  pledge,  promising  attention  to  his 
duties  as  librarian,  a  faithful  care  of  the  books,  and 
promptness  in  sending  monthly  reports  of  the  condition 
and  use  of  the  library.  Each  library  was  provided  with 
a  register  or  record  book,  so  arranged  as  to  preserve, 
with  little  trouble,  a  complete  history  of  every  volume. 


A     LOAN     LIBRARY. 


The  register  contained  172  pages, — 160  for  regular 
entries  and  12  for  incidental  memoranda.  The  number 
of  each  volume  on  the  catalogue  corresponded  with  the 
number  of  its  page  in  the  register,  so  that,  for  example, 
the  record  of  volume  20  was  on  page  20.  The  catalogue 
being  also  prefixed  to  the  register,  made  the  reference 
easy.  Each  of  the  160  pages  in  the  register  was  divided 
into  eight  columns,  with  these  headings :  Name,  Regi- 


LOAN    LIBRARIES.  721 

ment,  Company,  Ward,  Bed,  Drawn,  Returned,  Re- 
marks. From  this  register  were  made  up  the  monthly 
reports, — showing  how  many  times  a  volume  had  been 
drawn  during  the  month,  or  that  it  had  remained  in  the 
library,  or  that  it  had  been  lost,  with  such  illustrative 
incidents  as  were  deemed  valuable.  The  monthly  re- 
ports were  forwarded  to  the  General  Library  Agent, 
who  thus  knew  the  exact  location  and  condition  of  every 
library. 

Upon  the  method  here  indicated  there  were  prepared 
215  Loan  Libraries,  containing  the  full  number  of  125 
volumes  each.  Besides  these  there  were  70  Libraries  of 
half  the  size,  containing  75  volumes  each, —  making  in 
all  285  Libraries  and  32,125  volumes,  at  a  cost  of  not 
less  than  one  dollar  per  volume.  Of  the  large  Libraries, 
185  were  made  up  of  new  books  specially  purchased  for 
the  purpose ;  the  remaining  30  large  and  all  the  70 
small  Libraries  were  made  up  of  valuable  second-hand 
books,  given  in  response  to  various  appeals. 

The  Loan  Libraries  were  widely  distributed  through 
the  army, — in  the  general  hospitals,  at  the  permanent 
posts,  and  large  forts,  with  the  regiments,  on  vessels  of 
war,  at  the  principal  army  stations  of  the  Commission, 
etc.  They  were  highly  valued,  and  contributed  much 
to  the  comfort  and  profitable  employment  of  the  men. 
Extracts  from  a  few  reports  are  here  given,  as  showing 
the  use  and  care  which  the  books  received :  — 

Hospital  14,  Nashville,  Tenn.  Report  for  November,  1864,  by 
Chaplain  W.  Allington.  Library  1.  Volumes  drawn,  two  liundivd 
and  thirty -seven ;  volumes  lost,  none.  Scarcely  a  book  has  been 
read  without  some  commendation  being  expressed,  and  the  n  ;uli  r. 
when  asked,  has  never  failed  to  utter  his  high  appreciation  of  the 
91 


722  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

entire  programme  of  providing  such  valuable  aids  for  the  improve- 
ment of  time.  The  "Philosophy  of  the  Plan  of  Salvation"  has 
especially  been  appreciated ;  "  Lossing's  History  of  the  United 
States"  has  been  frequently  called  for;  "Irving's  Sketches,"  "Shak- 
speare's  Readings,"  "  Cotta  Family,"  "  Goodrich's  Library,"  and 
"  Sargent's  Temperance  Tales,"  have  afforded  intense  delight.  The 
library  has  begotten  content,  lessened  rambling  through  the  city, 
created  devotional  feeling,  increased  the  number  of  our  religious 
services,  and  attendance  thereon ;  in  short,  renders  hospital  life,  to 
all  concerned,  more  happy,  and  duty  more  pleasant. 

Library  11.  Volumes  drawn,  two  hundred  and  eighty -nine; 
volumes  lost,  none.  Marked  improvement  in  the  social  life  and 
general  deportment  of  the  patients  and  attendants  of  this  hospital, 
has  taken  place  since  the  introduction  of  the  libraries.  We  have 
more  correspondence  between  soldiers  and  their  friends ;  more  social 
purity,-  less  boisterous  and  rude  conduct.  The  mental  and  moral 
conditions  of  the  men  have  been  revealed,  and  not  a  few  scholars, 
Christians  and  gentlemen  have  been  found  beneath  the  humble  attire 
and  title  of  "  private." 

Library  9.  Hospital  1,  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  Report  for  January, 
1865,  by  S.  J.  Hutchinson,  Librarian.  Volumes  drawn,  two  hundred 
and  ninety-three ;  volumes  lost,  three.  "  Boardman's  Higher  Life," 
"  Haven's  Mental  Philosophy,"  "  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  "  Smith's 
Greece,"  "  Liddell's  Rome,"  "  Student's  Gibbon's  Rome,"  "  Student's 
Hume's  England,"  "Student's  France,"  "Thayer's  Pioneer  Boy," 
"  Goodrich's  Works,"  and  "  Sargent's  Tales,"  are  most  highly 
appreciated. 

Library  70.  Second  Wisconsin  Cavalry,  Alexandria,  La.  Report, 
by  Chaplain  B.  L.  Brisbane.  For  June,  1865  :  Volumes  drawn,  one 
hundred  and  eleven ;  volumes  lost,  none.  The  library  is  a  fine  col- 
lection. It  is  doing  immense  good.  It  is  the  best  thing  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  has  done  for  the  service.  Every  regiment  should 
have  one.  It  has  a  deep  and  abiding  influence, —  intellectually, 
morally,  and  spiritually.  For  July  :  Volumes  drawn,  two  hundred  ; 
volumes  lost,  none.  The  longer  we  have  the  library,  the  more  useful 
we  find  it.  For  August:  Volumes  drawn,  sixty-one ;  volumes  lost, 
none.  Have  been  on  the  march  to  Hempstead,  Texas.  For  Sep- 
tember: Volumes  drawn,  three  hundred  and  thirty;  volumes  lost, 


LOAN    LIBRARIES.  723 

seven.  Some  men  in  hospital  were  sent  off  and  discharged,  without 
returning,  some  of  whom  carried  off  books.  We  are  very  thankful 
for  the  library.  No  estimate  can  be  made  of  the  good  it  is  doing. 
For  October:  Volumes  drawn,  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine; 
volumes  lost,  three'.  Some  books  carried  off  by  deserters,  or  others. 
Library  has  already  well  paid  for  itself.  A  number  of  souls  lately 
converted.  A  good  work  going  on  in  the  regiment.  I  ascribe  much 
to  the  library. 

Library  99.  Hempstead,  Texas.  Report  for  September,  1865,  by 
Rev.£.  J.  Orange,  Agent  Christian  Commission.  Volumes  drawn, 
five  hundred  and  twenty-five;  volumes  lost,  none.  The  library  has 
been  invaluable  to  the  men.  They  all  praise  the  selection  of  books ; 
and  so  interested  were  they  that  I  turned  the  library  over  to  First 
Iowa  Cavalry.  For  November,  by  Chaplain  J.  S.  Rand  :  Volumes 
drawn,  three  hundred  and  seven;  volumes  lost,  three.  At  the  end 
of  October  we  were  on  the  march  to  Austin,  Texas.  The  soldiers 
have  employed  much  of  their  time  in  reading,  instead  of  card- 
playing.  We  have  a  chapel  tent,  in  which  we  keep  the  library, 
and  have  prayer-meetings  every  evening.  We  have  some  clear 
conversions. 

Library  228.  United  States  Flag  Ship  New  Hampshire,  Port 
Royal  Harbor,  S.  C.  Report  for  October,  1865,  by  Chas.  Wiener, 
Librarian.  Volumes  drawn,  two  hundred  and  sixty-six;  volumes 
lost,  one.  The  library  is  having  a  good  effect.  .  It  is- lessening  pi;o- 
fanity  and  intoxication. 

Many  of  the  Libraries  were  lost  in  the  final  breaking 
up  of  hospitals,  camps,  etc.,  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
But  more  than  fifty  permanent  forts  and  posts  through- 
out the  country,  and  twenty-five  United  States  war 
steamers,  were  supplied,  and  the  libraries  were  still  in 
use  by  them  at  the  beginning  of  1867.1 

The  system  of  the  Loan  Libraries,  like  the  Diet 
Kitchens,  originated  in  the  West.  To  the  Western 

1  The  superintendence  of  the  Loan  Libraries  is  at  present  (November,  1867) 
in  the  hands  of  Rev.  E.  P.  Smith,  now  General  Field  Agent  of  the  American 
Missionary  Association,  53  John  street,  New  York. 


724  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

Branches, — St.  Louis,  Peoria,  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis, 
etc., — belongs  the  credit  of  first  appreciating  the  move- 
ment and  making  to  it  the  first  appropriations.  But  it 
was  rapidly  extended  to  the  entire  army. 

The  tables  show  the  distribution  of  a  much  greater 
number  of  bound  books  than  were  contained  in  the 
Loan  Libraries, — the  figures  being  296,816  volumes. 
Some  of  these  were  circulated  as  a  part  of  the  ordinary 
reading-matter  of  the  Commission ;  others  were  in 
libraries,  large  and  small,  formed  at  the  several  stations 
of  the  Commission  during  all  the  years  of  its  labors. 
Frequent  appeals  were  addressed  to  the  public  for  valu- 
able books  for  the  soldiers, — special  efforts  being  made 
in  this  direction  at  the  holiday  seasons, — and  these  were 
responded  to  with  more  or  less  liberality.  The  books 
thus  secured  were  variously  used, — some  being  put  into 
Loan  Libraries  and  the  rest  otherwise  distributed. 
There  were  circulating  libraries  in  some  of  the  chapel 
tents,  as  has  been  already  noticed.1 

The  library  work  of  the  Commission,  in  a  systematic 
form,  was  one  of  its  latest  movements,  but  none  was 
more  thoroughly  appreciated  by  the  soldiers,  and  it  was 
very  fruitful  in  permanent  good. 

1  See  p.  327. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

SUMMARY. 

IT  remains  now  to  present  a  recapitulation  of  the 
operations  of  the  Christian  Commission,  as  detailed  in 
part  in  the  preceding  chapters.  This  may  be  done  most 
clearly  and  satisfactorily  in  a  series  of  Statistical  Tables, 
which  shall  embody  the  principal  facts  and  results  in 
their  proper  relations.  A  careful  examination  of  these 
Tables  will  show  a  few  slight  variations  in  the  different 
exhibits  of  the  same  items.  Prior  to  1864  the  Commis- 
sion did  not  preserve  such  complete  and  ample  records 
of  its  operations  as  it  did  subsequently.  Hence  in  sum- 
ming up  its  work  it  was  necessary  to  estimate  a  few  of 
the  items  for  1862  and  1863 ;  and  different  estimates, 
with  varying  data,  being  made  for  some  of  the  same 
items,  there  are  slight  discrepancies  in  the  results.  But 
the  fact  that  the  Commission  performed  more  than  four- 
fifths  of  its  labors  in  the  years  1864  and  1865,  win -n 
the  records  kept  were  minute  and  accurate,  is  an  assur- 
ance that  any  discrepancies  from  estimated  items  must 
be  very  slight  and  unimportant.  Moreover,  all  the 
principal  items  which  involved  pecuniary  responsibility 
were  carefully  recorded  from  the  beginning,  as  far  as 
was  possible. 

It  was  found  impracticable,  in  the  following  t;iblos,  to 
keep  the  receipts  from  the  offices  on  the  Pacific  Coast 


725 


726  ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

distinct  from  those  of  the  Central  Office.  The  former 
are  therefore  included  in  the  latter.  But  the  sums 
received  from  the  Pacific  Coast  are  separately  mentioned 
in  the  Treasurer's  Reports  for  1864  and  1865,  as  given 
on  pages  218  and  289.  (See  also  page  355.) 


TABLE!.— CASH    RECEIVED   AT   THE   VARIOUS   OFFICES. 


PHILADELPHIA... 

Albany 

Baltimore 

Baugor 

Math 

Boston 

Brooklyn 

Buffalo 

Chicago 

Cincinnati 

Cleveland 

Detroit 

Harrisburg 

Hartford 

Indianapolis 

Louisville 

Milwaukee 

Newark 

New  Haven 

New  York 

Peoria 

Pittsburg 

Portland 

Providence 

Rochester 

Springfield 

St.  Louis 

St.  Paul 

Troy 

Utica 

Washington '..'. 


Totals.. 


1862. 
Dotts.     cts. 


2,821 


3,790  41 
'4,060  00 


130,460  93 
14,600  76 


3.47S  75 
2,376  51 


r>S.o4-_>  4!t 

1,654  15 

22.73-.'  5l> 
3,201 


1864. 
Dolls,      eta. 


472.371  83 
10.560  50 

49.572  90 


11)4.952  13 
2B.450  97 
47 


53.4:19  71 
8.235  82 
2(1.042  40 


23.41  S  5ti 
18.133  79 
3,701  75 


102,747  63 
49.373  12 
92,705  00 

11,862  41 
7,659  07 

39.904  08 
4,011  01 
7,725  51 
3,959  45 

21,206  84 


234,119  46 


19.744  99 
5,100  00 


84,047 


lll.O.HI    -2'.'. 

9.332  01 
3.819  22 


5.432  73 
4,933  15 

116,337  30 

12.729  33 

42,896  81 

7,968  27 

10.328  09 

2.433  00 
33,553  1 


2.2(12  53 
2.930  SI 
7,597 
3,197  43 


828,357  70     2,524,512  56 


17.688  01 
86,739  81 
5.100  00 
.  4,551  44 
330,197  86 
40,125  81 
I1S.45S  S4 
134,253  55 
112,906  07 
15,173  41 
40.202  34 
7,604  94 
33,418  85 
29.1 69  •  64 
7.957  92 
8,868  67 
5.432  73 
4.933  15 
277.627  42 
64.026  60 
158,334  37 
11,169  35 
22,190  50 
10,092  07 
33,553!  17 
M.9C.-J  .V> 
6,21 3!  54 
10,656!  32 
11.557  16 
25,039  02 


•«  NOTE  TO  TABLE  II,  COLUMN  XL 

Expenditure  of  Balances  on  Hand,  January  1,  1866. 

The  Balance  at  the  Central  Office  is  being  used  in  the  manner  explained  on  p. 
229.  The  Balances  at  the  Branch  Offices  have  been  or  are  now  being  applied  in 
accordance  with  the  suggestions  given  on  pp.  228,  229.  Either  under  their  own 
superintendence,  or  through  the  local  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations,  or 
through  some  other  Society,  or  by  a  Special  Committee,  these  several  Auxiliaries 
appropriated  their  unexpended  funds  for  general  work  among  the  soldiers,  as  in 
the  later  operations  of  the  Commission  in  Texas  and  on  the  Western  Plains,  or  for 
disabled  soldiers  in  their  own  communities,  or  for  soldiers'  families,  or  for  some 
similar  purpose.  In  one  or  two  instances  the  surplus  was  added  to  the  Balance 
at  the  Central  Office,  in  the  hands  of  the  residuary  Trustees. 


SUMMARY. 


27 


a353asggSS8338g6g!58885S888g8£  7      I 


:  T  7  ,-.  r,  g   i    IS 


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. 


Z  .-.  -  --  .     :V  =  ^;;;    -r, 


SJSSSSSgSgSSSS 


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l|SM|sa.5?n.> 

^''"'"    '-'~    -''- 


" 


hu 


:    :| 


728 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


3    :"3SS53~?i2 


lilllglsi  igJJJgsl 

w       of eo^r  :«-»-«    «-«-*rt- 


|-ssH  iiszjs  iSI! 


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iliiliill 

:.g    :«,-,•*    :r-«N 


1 1 


SUMMARY. 


729 


To  make  this  final  survey  as  nearly  complete  as  possible,  the  two  following 
tables,  somewhat  modified,  are  repeated  from  pp.  292,  293. 

TABLE  IV.— SUMMARY   OF   RECEIPTS   AND    VALUES. 


PARTICULARS. 

1862. 

II. 
1863. 

III. 
1864. 

IV. 

IStio.l 

V. 

Totals. 

Cash  Receipts  at  Central  and 
Branch  Offices  

f40,160  29 
142,150  00 

$358,239  29 
385,829  07 

$1,297,755  28 
1,169,508  37 
31,296  32 
72,114  83 

S828.357  70 
1,141,957  73 
83,026  26 
52,382  66 

$2,524,512  56 
2,839,445  17 
114,322  58 
179,824  99 

1,677  79 

3,750  90 
344,413  69 

216,095  00 
51,815  00 
15,250  00 

Value  of  Stores  donated  to  Cen- 
tral and  Branch  Offices  
Value  of  Publications  donated 
to  Central  and  Branch  Offices. 
Value  of  Scriptures  donated  by 
American  Bible  Society  
Value  of  Scripture*  donated  by 
British    and    Foreign    Bible 
Society  

10,256  00 

45,071  50 
1,677  79 

Value  of  Hymn  Books  donated 
by  Army  Committee,  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association, 
Boston  

1,788  06 
169,920  00 

106,765  00 
26,450  00 
6,750  00 

1,962  84 
80,713  69 

51,440  00 
12,325  00 
8,500  00 

Value  <>f  Pi-lejrati-s'  services  
Value  of  Railroad,  Steamboat, 
and  other  Transportation  fa- 

21,360  00 

13,680  00 
3,650  00 

72,4'JO  00 

44,210  00 
9,380  00 

Value  of  Telegraph   facilities, 
from  Maine  to  California  
Value  of  Rents  of  Warehouses 
and  Offices 

Totals  

$231,256  29 

$916,837  65 

$2,882,347  S6 

?2,2GO,665  88 

$6,291,107  68 

1  This  is  for  four  months  only,  as  the  active  campaign  closed  in  April,  with  the  full  of  Richmond 
and  the  surrender  of  Lee. 


TABLE  V.— SUMMARY    OF   LABORS   AND    DISTRIBUTIONS. 


PARTICULARS. 

1S62. 

II. 
1863. 

III. 
1864. 

IV. 
1865. 

V. 
Totals. 

Delegates   commissioned  
Number  of  days  of 

374 

1,189 

2,217 

1,079 
4998° 

4,859 
181  56^ 

157 

Jj,i<l>  Hjtni&g  sci  l  HI  ivi  t  len  . 

108 

'  !  ni\     ^  *  .        i  •     i  '                i- 



m 

53 

l',o\e>  of  Stores   and   Publica- 

3,691 

12,648 

47,103 

31.624 

95,066 

Mieiits,  and  portions 
of  Sri  ipinres  distributed  
HvTiin  nii.l  Psalm  Books  
KnapMck    Hooks,  in   paper  or 

102,560 
130,697 

115757 

465,715 
371,859 

1  SIM  .'-'."i 

569,594 
489,247 

4  326  676 

328,879 
379,150 

2,611.028 

1,466.748 
1,370,953 

8,308,062 

Hound  Library  Hooks  
.nd  I'amphlets  

11.  'li-ioiis  \V.--IJy  and  Monthly 

3,450 
34,653 

384781 

39,713 
120,492 

2,931  469 

93.872 
346.536 

7,990,758 

159.781 

•_M',1  VU 

6.S1  8.994 

-••.",  M.i 
7'.7.M'.1 

18,126,002 

10,953.706 

11,976,722 

13,681,342 

2,403,478 

wi.iin.-J4:: 

"Sill-lit  Comforter."  etc  

830 

3,286 

3;698 

na 

M£M 

I'la.vei-.M-.-tinus  Iicld  by  Dele- 
pit'*  

77.744 

•Writing  paper  di^ribM,  nheetn. 

Knve]o|,,  ,  ili-triliiit-d  

Letters  \\nlt.       l.y  ll.-le-at      ... 

730 


ANNALS    OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 


=  IS, 

*  Jlp 


.  1 11 

3  SMI* 
-  jyr* 


M  i 


T+ 1  +++++++++-~^-  i_++++++++++ 1 +++T 


:      .  r-  r 

"  rH  O 


''''''' 


» I 


i    j 


d  It 


SUMMARY. 


731 


A  comparison  of  the  foregoing  Tables  will  give, 
among  other  results,  this  exhibit  of  the  relative  cost  of 
different  departments  of  the  work :  — 


PARTICULARS. 

Total  Valu 
Doll». 

-. 

Per- 
centage. 

Stores  distributed  

3,642,69s 
978  759 

79 

71 

66.6 
17  9 

Diet  Kitchen  Work  
Incidental  Expenses  of  Delegates  

34,005 
176,704 

03 

:is 

0.6 

3.2 

Salaries  of  Army  Agents,  etc  

108,915 
84,055 

96 

m 

2.0 
1.5 

Cost  of  Tents,  Chapels.  Chapel  Furniture,  etc  

144,583 
209334 

la 

00 

2  6 

s!s 

Falances  on  hand,  January  1,  1866  

99>23 

:;> 

1.8 

Total 

5  478  280 

31 

1000 

It  will  be  observed  that  this  comparison  does  not  in- 
clude the  estimated  values  for  Delegate  service,  trans- 
portation, and  telegraph  facilities,  and  the  rent  of  offices 
and  warehouses, — which  were  freely  given  to  the  Com- 


NOTE  TO  TABLE  VI. 

Column  VI  is  formed  byadding  the  corresponding  sums  in  columns  I  and  III. 

Column  VII  is  similarly  formed  from  columns  II  and  III,  on  the  assumption 
that  each  office  disbursed  all  its  receipts,  whether  of  cash,  stores,  or  publications. 

Column  VIII  is  formed  from  the  difference  between  the  corresponding  sums  in 
columns  I  and  II  (or  VI  and  VII).  The  minus  sign  (— )  indicates  that  the  office 
named  in  the  corresponding  line  had  a  deficiency  of  funds  for  its  work, —  that  is, 
it  expended  more  than  the  receipts  into  its  own  treasury,  and  hence  received  help 
from  the  treasuries  of  other  offices;  the  plus  sign  (+)  indicates  that  the  office 
named  had  a  surplus  of  funds,—  that  is,  expended  less  than  its  receipts,  and  hence 
sent  its  surplus  to  the  Central  Office  or  some  Branch  Office.  Of  course,  the  totals 
of  the  plus  and  minus  sums  in  the  column  exactly  balance  each  other. 

The  Bank  of  each  office  is  determined  by  the  gross  business  done, —  that  is,  by 
the  entire  sum  of  the  cash  values  which  passed  through  it,  whether  as  receipts  or 
expenditures.  Where  the  reported  receipts  exceed  the  expenditures,  the  receipts 
determine  the  Rank;  where  the  reported  expenditures  are  in  excess  they  deter- 
mine it. 

The  percentage  of  Office  Expenses  (column  X)  is  also,  for  obvious  reasons, 
determined  upon  the  basis  of  the  gross  business. 

The  other  columns  will  readily  explain  themselves. 


732 


ANNALS   OF    THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION, 


mission.  The  estimates  for  these,  in  Table  IV,  are  very 
moderate, — as,  for  example,  that  of  Delegate  service  is 
at  the  rate  of  less  than  $700  per  year  for  each  Delegate, 
and  no  estimate  is  made  for  offices  and  warehouses  for 
the  first  two  years, — but  they  are  more  than  sufficient 
to  counterbalance  all  the  personal  and  incidental  ex- 
penses of  the  Commission,  both  at  home  and  in  the 
army,  as  the  following  figures  will  show :  — 


Delegates 

Dolts. 
344  413 

ctt. 
69 

T  •      ei  nrf   f        F-  ril'ties 

00 

Tele<raph  Facilities  

51  815 

00 

Rents  of  Warehouses  and  Offices  

15.250 

00 

Dolls. 

cts. 

627,573 

69 

Salaries  of  Army  Agents,  etc  

108,915 
84  055 

96 
91 

Diet  Kitchen  Service,  in  full  

34005 

„•• 

Salaries  at  the  Home  Offices  

54037 

74 

Expenses  of  Meetings,  Incidentals,  etc  

156.296 

26 

613,015 

27 

14458 

42 

So  that  the  entire  expense  account  of  the  Commission 
was  cancelled  by  the  gratuitous  services  it  received. 
And  if  it  were  desired  fully  to  show  how  freely  and 
generously  this  charity  was  served,  it  would  be  requisite 
to  estimate  also  the  gratuitous  labors  of  the  Executive 
Committees,  at  the  Central  Office,  in  all  the  Branches, 
and  among  the  local  tributaries  ;  together  with  the  vol- 
untary assistance  of  returned  Delegates  and  others  in 
canvassing  for  money',  stores,  and  Delegates;  and  the 
free  co-operation  of  publishers,  merchants,  and  others, 
in  helping  forward  the  work.  But  such  an  exhibit,  if 
it  were  possible,  would  be  as  unwelcome  to  the  persons 
who  rendered  the  service  as  it  is  unnecessary  to  the 
reader. 

Each  Delegate  labored,  on  an  average,  thirty-eight 


SUMMARY.  733 

days,  at  a  cost  for  incidental  expenses  of  $36.10,  and 
rendering  a  service  valued  at  $70.68.  The  average 
annual  expense  of  a  Delegate  was  therefore  $347.84, 
and  his  annual  service  estimated  at  $678.  The  aver- 
age number  of  Delegates  in  the  field1  was,  for  the  first 
year,  36 ;  for  the  second  year  115 ;  for  the  third  year, 
217  ;  for  the  fourth  year,  140;  or,  for  the  entire  period, 
127  ;  so  that  the  field  service  of  the  Delegates  was  equal 
to  the  continuous  labors  of  one  man  for  FIVE  HUNDRED 
AND  EIGHT  YEARS.  Assuming  that  the  average  number 
of  permanent  agents  in  the  field,  for  the  three  full  years 
of  the  Commission's  active  operations,  was  50,  and  add- 
ing their  service  to  that  of  the  Delegates,  it  will  give  us 
the*  continuous  labors  of  one  man  for  six  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  years.  Adding  also  the  salaries  of  the  field 
agents  and  the  incidental  expenses  in  the  army  to  the 
expenses  of  the  Delegates,  the  Tables  will  give  this 
exhibit :  The  army  work  of  the  Christian  Commission 
was  equal  to  the  continuous  labors  of  one  man  for  658 
years, — his  annual  work  being  the  distribution  of  $5,536 
worth  of  stores  and  $1,487.74  worth  of  publications 
(contained  in  144  packages),  besides  preaching  89  ser- 
mons, attending  118  prayer-meetings,  and  writing  140 

1  This  computation  would  be  rendered  more  nearly  exact  by  remembering 
that  no  Delegates  were  sent  into  the  field  until  tlje  middle  of  May,  1862,  and  that 
the  field  service  of  the  Commission  ceased,  for  the  most  part,  in  May,  1865, — 
excepting  the  permanent  Delegates  who  were  sent  into  the  distant  West  and 
Southwest.  With  this  modification  the  figures  would  stand, —  Average  number 
of  Delegates  for  the  first  year  (eight  months  of  1862),  48;  for  the  second  ymr 
(1863),  115;  for  the  third  year  (1864),  217;  for  the  fourth  year  (four  months  of 
1865,—  deducting  also  50,  as  the  number  of  Delegates  who  worked  through  the 
entire  year),  310;  or,  for  the  entire  period,  from  May  15,  ISO'J,  to  May  1 .',.  !<(,-,,— 
three  full  years, —  an  average  number  of  153,  with  50  in  the  field  for  the 
remainder  of  1865. 


734  ANNALS   OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

letters  for  the  soldiers;  his  personal  expenses  per  annum 
being  $561.81,  and  his  supplies  for  distribution  being 
forwarded  to  him  at  the  annual  cost  of  $318.14. 

The  Tables  will  readily  suggest  other  comparisons, 
but  it  is  not  necessary  to  state  them. 

Here  our  ANNALS  end.  The  Christian  Commission 
was  formed  to  do  whatever  might  be  found  possible  and 
needful,  in  addition  to  governmental  provision,  for  the 
bodies  and  souls  of  the  men  in  the  army  and  navy. 
This  was  the  original  purpose  at  its  foundation,  and  out 
of  this  purpose  the  entire  work  grew.  With  what  mea- 
sure of  fidelity  and  wisdom  the  work  was  performed 
those  must  now  judge  who  sustained  it  by  their  bounty 
and  their  prayers. 

In  view  of  the  above  summary,  and  of  the  entire 
record,  the  reflections  with  which  the  Commission 
close  their  last  Annual  Report  seem  peculiarly  appro- 
priate :  — 

The  figures  we  have  given,  if  they  cannot  lie,  neither 
can  tell  the  full  truth.  Those  appeals,  in  the  name  of 
Christ  and  country,  to  crowded,  tearful  audiences,  in  the 
churches  and  halls  of  the  land, — by  them  how  many 
better  natures  have  been  touched  and  holier  purposes 
evoked. 

Those  5,000  Delegates,  pastors  and  laymen,  sent  forth 
and  followed  by  the  prayers  of  all  who  pray, — how 
many  have  themselves  been  stirred  and  quickened,  and 
have  returned  home  clothed  with  new  power  for  good. 
To  how  many  weary  and  tempted  men  have  they 
brought  the  cheer  and  restraint  of  home. 

Those  tracts,  knapsack  books,  and  papers, — how  little 
do  these  large  figures  show  of  their  power  to  reinforce 


SUMMARY.  735 

Christian  workers,  relieve  tedium,  quicken  thought,  and 
supplant  sin. 

Those  Bibles  and  Testaments, — given  freely  every- 
where, and  yet  scarcely  one  without  its  story ;  many  of 
them  well  thumbed,  and  kept  close  and  safe  in  the  fight 
or  march,  when  knapsack  and  blanket  are  thrown  away. 

Those  hymn-books, — the  companions  of  the  Testa- 
ments. How  often  have  they  lightened  the  march  and 
lighted  the  camp,  and  brought  the  home  altar  nearer  the 
soldier's  heart. 

Those  chapel  tents  and  log  churches  with  canvas  roofs, 
dotting  the  tented  fields.  How  full  of  encouragement 
to  faithful  chaplains,  and  how  precious  in  the  memory 
of  thousands  who  confess  that  they  were  born  there. 

Those  camp  sermons  and  prayer-meetings.  How 
many  weary  disciples  refreshed  and  wanderers  recovered, 
how  many  tears  of  penitence  and  tears  of  joy  in  new- 
born hope,  how  many  a  brave  soldier's  manly  word  for 
Christ  and  truth,  have  they  witnessed. 

Those  sheets  of  paper  and  envelopes,  counted  by  mil- 
lions,— each  one  a  soldier's  messenger  to  his  home. 
There  was  not  one  too  many, — not  an  envelope  but  was 
freighted  with  tidings  that  seemed  long  delayed.  What 
;i  vast  work  have  they  done  in  bringing  camp  and  fire- 
side together. 

Those  letters  written  by  Delegates, — Some  of  them 
dictated  on  the  spot  where  a  young  patriot  was  lying  in 
his  blood ;  others  bearing  home  "  last  words,"  or  a  lock 
of  hair,  or  a  leaf  from  a  tree  over  a  soldier's  grave. 
Every  one  relieved  or  broke  some  anxious  heart. 

Those  millions  in  money  and  stores.  How  many  hard- 
earned  dollars  gladly  given,  and  numberless  and  name- 


736  ANNALS    OF   THE    CHRISTIAN    COMMISSION. 

less  comforts,  filling  boxes  and  barrels,  have  an  un- 
written history  in  their  gathering  and  in  their  spending. 
On  how  many  thousands  and  millions  of  hearts,  young 
and  old,  have  they  brought  down  the  blessedness  of 
giving.  How  many  old  have  grown  young  in  the  toil 
gladly  accepted,  and  how  many  young  workers  have 
sprung  into  the  maturity  of  sacrifice  and  labor.  To 
how  many  patriots,  on  bloody  field  or  hospital  cot,  have 
these  gifts,  fragrant  with  the  touch  of  home,  brought 
back  courage  and  life.  An  unwritten  history,  indeed, 
for  which  figures  have  no  power, — indicated  only  by  the 
love  that  gathered  them,  and  the  blessings  of  him,  far 
away,  that  was  ready  to  perish  without  them. 

We  gave  the  Commission  the  name  of  the  Master. 
We  sent  it  forth  to  speak  His  words  and  imitate  His 
deeds.  Christ,  the  Lord,  has  accepted  and  honored  it ; 
and  now,  wherever  mention  shall  be  made  of  the  work 
it  has  accomplished,  we  desire  only  that  the  quick,  grate- 
ful, adoring  response  shall  be, 

SEE    WHAT    THE    LORD    HATH    WROUGHT. 


Initcb 


0mmissi0n. 


January  1.  18OO. 

OFFICERS. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman. 
JOSEPH  PATTERSON,  Treasurer. 
REV.  LEMUEL  MOSS,  Home  Secretary. 
REV.  EDWARD  P.  SMITH,  Field  Secretary. 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 
GEO.  H.  STUART,  Philadelphia,  Chairman. 
CHAMBERLAIN,  A.  E.,  Cincinnati. 
COI.WKLL,  STEPHEN,  Philadelphia. 
CROZER,  JOHN  P.,  Philadelphia. 
COOKE,  JAY.  Philadelphia. 
DEMOXD,  CHARLES,  Boston. 
DODGE,  WM   E.,  New  York. 
DYER,  REV.  HEMAN,  D.D.,  New  York. 
FARWELL,  JOHN  V.,  CHICAGO. 


FISK,  CLIXTON  B.,  St.  Louis. 
FREW,  WM.,  Pittsburg. 
GRIFFITH,  G.  S.,  Baltimore. 
GRIFFITH,  W.  S.,  Brooklyn. 
JANES,  REV.  E.  S.,  D.D.,  New  York. 
JONES,  H.  G.,  Philadelphia. 
PATTERSON,  JOSEPH,  Philadelphia. 
SIMPSON,  REV.  M.,  D.  D.,  Philadelphu 


MEMBERS  OF  TPIE  COMMISSION. 


BISHOP,  NATHAN,  New  York.  [Ky. 

BRECKINRIDGE,  REV.R.J.,D.D.,  Lexington, 
BrcKivoHAM,  W.  A.,  Norwich,  Conn. 
CALDWELL.  SAMUEL  B.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
CARTER,  WALTER  S.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
CHAMBERLAIN,  A.  E.,  Cincinnati. 
COLFAX,  SCHUYLER,  South  Bend,  Ind. 
COLWELL,  STEPHEN,  Philadelphia. 
COOKE,  JAY,  Philadelphia. 
CORNELIUS,  REV.  S.,  Portland,  Oregon. 
CROZER,  JOHN  P.,  Philadelphia. 
DEMOXD,  CHARLES.  Boston. 
DODGE,  WM.  E.,  New  York. 
DYER.  REV.  HEMAN,  D.D..  New  York. 
EELLS,  REV.  JAMES,  D.  D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
EVANS,  JOHN,  Denver  City,  Colorado. 
FARWELL,  JOHN  V.,  Chicago. 
FISK,  CLINTON  B.,  St,  Louis. 
FREW,  WM.,  Pittsburg. 
GRIFFITH,  G.  S.,  Baltimore. 
GRIFFITH,  W.  S.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
HILL,  JOHN,  M.D.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
HODGE,  REV.  C.,  D.  D.,  Princeton,  N.  J. 
JANES,  REV.  E.  S.,  D.D.,  New  York. 


JESUP,  MORRIS  K.,  New  York. 
JONES.  HORATIO  GATES,  Philadelphia. 
LEE,  RT.  REV.  ALFRED,  Wilmington,  Del. 
LEHMAN,  REV.  E.,  Chaska,  Minn.» 
MclLVAiNE,  RT.  REV.  C.  P.,  Cincinnati. 
MILLER,  MITCHELL  H.,  Washington,  D.  C. 
NEALE,  REV.  ROLLIN  H.,  D.  D.,  Boston. 
NYE,  JAMES  W.,  Carson  City,  Nevada. 
OWEN,  JOHN,  Detroit,  Mich. 
PATTERSON,  JOSEPH,  Philadelphia. 
PATTON,  GEO.  F.,  Bath,  Me. 
PIERPONT,  FRANCIS  H.,  Alexandria,  Va. 
PIKE,  REV.  J.,  Sanborton  Bridge,  N.  H. 
PRICE,  HIRAM,  Davenport,  Iowa. 
ROBERTS,  J.  B.,  San  Francisco. 
SIMPSON,  REV.  M.,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia. 
SMITH,  JOHN  GREGORY,  St.  Albans,  Vt. 
STOEVER,  M.  L.,  Gettysburg,  Pa. 
STORRS,  REV.  S.  D.,  Atchison,  Kansas. 
STUART,  GEO  H.,  Philadelphia. 
THOMPSON,  REV.  M.  L.  R.  P.,  Cincinnati. 
TOBEY,  E.  S.,  Boston. 
WILLEY,  WAITMAN  T.,  Morgantown,  West 
Virginia. 


TRUSTEES. 

GEO.  H.  STUART,  Chairman. 
STEPHEN  COLWELL. 
JOHN  P.  CROZER. 
JOSEPH  PATTERSON. 
REV.  M.  SIMPSON,  D.D. 

COMMITTEE  OF  PUBLICATION. 
HORATIO  GATES  JONES,  Chairman. 
STEPHEN  COLWELL. 
CHARLES  DEMOND. 


737 


MEMORIAL    RECORD. 

OUR  HONORED  DEAD. 

MANY  Delegates  and  others,  while  in  the  service  of 
the  Christian  Commission,  were  prostrated  by  exposure 
and  over-work.  Most  of  them  recovered,  after  sickness 
of  greater  or  less  duration.  But  some  died.  It  was 
intended  to  commemorate  all  such  by  appropriate  biogra- 
phical sketches,  and  considerable  materials  were  gathered 
for  this  purpose.  But  it  was  found  impracticable  to 
execute  the  design  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  and  it  was 
therefore  modified  into  the  present  form.  The  following 
List-includes  all,  so  far  as  known,  who  died  or  incurred 
their  mortal  sickness  during  their  connection  with  the 
Commission. 

DECEASED  OFFICERS  AND  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 

CROZER,  JOHN  P.,  of  Upland,  Delaware  County,  Pa., — near  Phila- 
delphia. A  constituent  member  of  the  Commission.  Chosen 
a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee,  September,  1862. 
Appointed  a  residuary  Trustee,  January  11,  1866.  Died, 
March  11,  1866.  Age,  73  years. 

FAIRBANKS,  HON.  ERASTUS,  LL.D.,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.  Chosen 
a  member  of  the  Commission,  July  22,  1864.  Died,  Nov. 
20,  1864.  Age,  72  years. 

MILLER,  MITCHELL  H.,  of  Washington,  D.  C.     A  constituent  mem- 
ber of  the  Commission.     Member  of  the  Auxiliary  at  Wash- 
•  ington.     Died,  May,  1866.     Age,  52  years. 

QUIGLEY,  THOMAS,  of  Louisville,  Ky.  First  Treasurer  of  the  Ken- 
tucky Branch.  Died,  January  3,  1864.  Age,  63  years. 

WAYLAND,  REV.  FRANCIS,  D.  D.,  of  Providence,  R.  I.     Chosen  a 
member  of  the  Commission,  July  22,  1864.     Died,  September 
30,  1865.     Age,  69  years. 
738 


MEMORIAL    RECORD. 

DECEASED  DELEGATES  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION. 


739 


For  additional  facts  compare  the  List  of  Delegates,  pages  602-638.     Those  whose 
names  are  in  Italics  died  while  in  the  army,  or  before  reaching  their  homes. 


NAME. 

Residence. 

Date  of  Death. 

T««r» 
of  Age. 

ABBOTT,  WALDO  

Key  West  Fla 

July  11,  1864. 

?8 

ADAMS,  REV.  J.  B  
A  HAMS,  REV.  S.  W.,  D.I)  
BE\TI  MRS  C  A 

Easton,  Pa  
Cleveland,  Ohio  

July     5,  1865. 
Sept.  27,  1864. 
Mar     4  1864 

63 
49 
26 

BROWV  REV  DVVID  

Triadelphia   Va 

Julv    8  1863. 

->., 

Bnow\  RFV  WILLIAM  

Portland  Me 

Dec    11   1864 

53 

COLLINS  REV  H  B 

Sept     4  1864 

35 

COXKLING  REV.  H  

Cleveland   Ohio 

Dec.  15,  1865. 

58 

D  \XFORTH   REV  A  H 

Mile^town    Philad'a 

Feb    14  1865 

48 

D  \VENPORT,  REV.  WILLIAM  

Otisfield,  Me  

Jan.   30,  1865. 

6?, 

Do  AXE,  REV.  HIRAM  

Peoria,  111  

July  21,  1863. 

57 

Drri;   REV  A   R   

Nov.  15,  1863. 

W> 

FISHER,  REV.  JAMES  P.  

Wcstfield,  N.  Y  

Aug.  31,  1865. 

53 

GRIFFIN   REV.  D  

Yellow  Springs  Ohio... 

Feb.  —  ,  1864. 

50 

HATES  HENRY  MD    

Derrv  N    H 

Sept.    4,  1864. 

59 

HILL,  REV.  JOSEPH  B  

HOSFORD?  MlSS   FltAXfES.  

Temple,  X.  H  
Olivet,  Mich  

June  16,  1864. 
Aug.  15,  1864. 

68 

HUMBERT*  Miss  M<VRY  E  

Allegheny  Citv  Pa..    .. 

Aug.  19,  1865. 

?? 

KIMRALL  JAMES  S  

Dec.  16  1864. 

fll 

LiADi>  REV  FRANCIS  D 

Julv     7  1862. 

4? 

LEIGHTON,  JAMES  W  
McCoY  REV  JAMES  

Strafiunl.  X.   H  
Indianapolis  Ind  . 

Nov.  14,  1864. 
Feb.     6,  1865. 

23 

6? 

MAGILL  REV  CHARLES  B  . 

Aug.  27,  1864. 

?4 

Concord  N    H 

June  14  1865 

93 

MATTOX  REV  GEORGE  N  

Prosperity   Pa  

Dec.     6.  1864. 

?fi 

Mi-'iiRi  FT  RFUBFN  D 

Wilson    N   Y 

Feb.  18,  1865. 

3? 

M"\TFLITTS   WM  P 

Mifflinsburg  Pa 

June  16,  1865. 

?3 

MORRELL  REV.  PASCHAL  P  

Gardiner,  Me  

Sept.    1,  1864. 

61 

Bellingham    Mass  

Mar.     2,  1865. 

4tt 

PEARL  REV   CYRIL 

Feb.  10,  1865. 

tin 

POWER  REV  F  H 

Eli/abet  h  P;i 

Oct.    16  1863. 

34 

R  \\HALL  J  L          

Vaphank,  X.  Y  

Oct.    27,  1864. 

•>:; 

REED,  ROBERT  R.,  M.D  

Washington,  Pa  

Dec.   14,1864. 
Mav   19,  1865. 

57 
45 

July  28  1864. 

•v, 

Kr-^Kiii  RFV  W  8 

Jacksonville    111  

N«.v.  -J»,  1^'M. 

:;•> 

Lambertville   N.  J.. 

Julv  28,  1864. 

32 

Julv     4,  1864. 

40 

^TD\VF  RFV  TIMOTHY     

New  Bi'dfonl,  Mass  

Aug.  12.  Is'  I''*. 

41 

7V;.v.vAT,  REV.  S.  W  

Norridgrwork,   Mo  

June  2:?,  l-'il. 
Jan.   2S.  IMJI. 

30 

•M 

TUCKER  REV  JAMES  J  

South    DiMlliam.  M:i^  

Jan.    13,  1864. 

80 

\VARD  REV   FLFTCHFR         

New  Sal,  'in,  N.  Y  

Oct.    27,  1864. 

41 

1  Mrs.  Bent  died  at  Camp  Parole,  near  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  she  Ul>ored  in  connection  with  her 
husband,  Rev.  G.  R.  Bent  (See  pp.  318-321.) 

=  Mi-^  H. isfi.nl  and  Miss  Humbert  were  connected  with  the  Diet  Kitchen  service.  (See  p.  888.) 
Miss  Hosford  died  in  Hospital  No.  3,  Lookout  Mountain. 

CHRISTO    ET   PATRIJE. 


INDEXES. 


I.  INDEX  TO  THE  INTRODUCTION. 


ABRAHAM'S  VICTORY  over  confederate  chiefs,  15. 
Alexander  the  Great,  19. 
Ambulance  and  Flying  Hospital,  50. 
American  Bible  Society,  in  the  Crimean  War,  48. 
American  Revolution,  care  of  wounded,  33,  36; 

suffering  of  soldiers,  34  seq. 
American  Tract  Society,  in  the  Mexican  War,  40. 
Anderson,  Rev.  M.  B.,  LL.  D.,  29. 
Annotated  Paragraph  Bible,  22. 
Aristotle,  20,  24,  26. 
Armies,  ancient,  large  size  of,  21,  22. 
Army  and  Navy  Journal,  New  York,  17, 18,  27. 
Arnold,  Rev.  Thomas,  D.  D.,  20. 

BABYLON-IANS  AND  CHALDEANS  had  no  physicians, 

18. 

Bache,  Mrs.  Sarah,  37. 
Bancroft,  George,  60. 
Baptists  of  Gerhiany,  in  Schleswig-Holstein  War, 

57,  58. 

Bellows,  Rev.  H.  W.,  D.D.,  55. 
Biblical  Cyclopedia,  Kitto,  20,  22 
Biographies  of  Eminent  Soldiers,  Mitchell,  27,  28, 

30,  31. 

Brace,  Chas.  L.,  55. 
Burlingham,  Rev.  A.  H.,  D.D.,  52. 

CAPTIVES  IN  WAR,  ancient  treatment  of,  25, 26. 

Chaplains,  in  the  American  Revolution,  39;  in 
the  Crimean  War,  47. 

Charitf  Internationale  (La),  Dunant,  26,  29,  31, 
52,  54. 

Charily  of  the  Primitive  Churches,  Chastel,  28,42. 

Chaste-mix,  Marquis  de,  37. 

Chivalry,  influence  of,  '28,  29. 

Christianity  and  war,  13, 14;  in  the  Middle  Ages, 
27,  28. 

Clothing  for  soldiers  of  the  American  Revolu- 
tion, 37. 

Commission  Sanitaire  des  Etats-Unis,  Evans,  52. 

Convents,  took  charge  of  disabled  soldiers,  28. 

Coppee,  President  Henry,  LL.D.,  19. 
740 


Crimean  War,  English  soldiers  in  the,  43  seq.,  50; 

French,  48 ;  Russian,  51,  52. 
Cyrrha,  siege  of,  18. 
Cyrus,  king  of  Persia,  18. 

DANCING  PARTY  changed  to  soldiers'  sewing  so- 
ciety, 38. 

IHctianary  of  the  Bible,  William  Smith,  17,  21, 26. 

Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman  Antiquities,  Wil- 
liam Smith,  18,  21,  26. 

Dictionary  of  Greek  and  Roman  Biography,  Wil- 
liam Smith,  19. 

Discipline,  military,  absence  of,  in  Middle  Ages, 
27. 

Does  the  Bible  Sanction  American  Slavery?  Gold- 
win  Smith,  16. 

Dunant,  J.  Henry,  54. 

ECONOMY  of  caring  for  soldiers,  30. 

Edinburgh  Medical  Journal,  59. 

Egyptian  physicians  supported  from  the  public 
treasury,  18. 

Encyclopedia  Melropolitana,  20. 

England  and  Her  Soldiers,  Miss  Martineau,  43. 

English  soldiers  in  the  Crimea,  43,  50. 

Essays  an  Slavery.  B.  B.  Edwards,  26. 

Europe  during  the  Middle  Ages,  Hallam,  27,  30. 

Evans,  T.  W.,  M.  D.,  52. 

Everett,  Edward,  at  Gettysburg,  22. 

Examination  for  military  pensions  among  an- 
cient Greeks,  24. 

Extra-governmental  provision  for  soldiers,  40,  42, 
44  seq.,  48,  51,  54  seq.,  59. 

Field  Book  of  the  Revolution,  Lossing,  35,  36. 
French  soldiers  in  tho  Crimea,  50. 
Funerals,  ancient  military,  23. 

GENEVA,  Switzerland,  International  Relief  Com- 
mittee, 53,  54. 
Gettysburg,  Pa.,  22. 


I.    INDEX    TO    THE   INTRODUCTION. 


741 


HALL.  REV.  ROBERT.  25. 

Hnrpocration,  23. 

Herbert,  Lord  Sidney,  44. 

Hippodamus,  an  ancient  Greek  philanthropist,  24. 

Historical    View    of   the   American    Revolution, 

Greene,  35,  39. 

History  of  Herodotut,  Rawlinson,  18. 
Hiftory  of  Latin  Christianity,  Milman,  29,  30. 
History  of  U,e  World,  Philip  Smith,  19,  22,  23. 
Hospitals,  military,  first  introduction  of,  31. 
Bourtat  Home,  New  York,  59. 

INNER  MISSION  of  Germany,  in  Schleswig-Holstein 
War,  57. 

International  Society  for  Relief  of  Disabled  Sol- 
diers, 53  .-•"/..•  American  Branch,  54. 

Isabella  of  Spain,  organized  a  military  hospital, 
31. 

JEWISH  PRIEST,  duty  in  time  of  war,  16. 
Jewish  soldier,  cared  for  in  war,  16. 17. 
Jews,  more  humane  in  war  than  other  ancient 
nations,  16,  26. 

KSIOHTS,  cared  for  disabled  soldiers,  28,  29. 

LAFAYETTE,  38. 

Larrey,  Baron  D.  J.,  31. 

Leo  VI,  28. 

Lewis,  Mrs.  General  Morgan,  40. 

Lewis,  Prof.  Tayler,  LL.  D.,  20. 

Life  of  Solon,  Plntarch,  23. 

Lincoln,  Abraham,  President,  at  Gettysburg,  22. 

Lossing,  Benson  J.,  36.  40. 

Ludlow,  John  Malcolm,  29. 

MATHESON,  D.,  a  Scotch  "Delegate"  in  the 
Crimea,  47. 

Medicine,  knowledge  of  the  ancients,  17, 18. 

Mercenary  troops,  used  in  the  Middle  Ages,  27. 

Mexican  War,  labors  of  American  Tract  Society, 
40. 

Military  hospitals,  excepted  from  private  benevo- 
lence. 4'2. 

Military  power,  the  people  jealous  of,  in  Ameri- 
can Revolution,  39. 

Mittiimsblait.  Hamburg,  57. 

Monod,  Rev.  Theo.,  53. 

Morris,  Robert,  princely  donation  of.  37. 

NEBRCS  and  Chrysus,  ancient  Greek  physicians. 

in  the  army,  18. 

AVtc  American  Cydopeilia.  21,  26,  31,  45. 
Nightingale,  Miss  Florence,  40,  41,  43,  44,  45,  46, 

48,  50. 


Greeks,  ancient,  medical  arrangements  in  armies,  '  Nurses,  Mies  Nightingale's,  in  the  Crimean  War, 

duties  of,  46. 
Gunpowder,  introduction  of,  30. 

OXCKEN,  REV.  J.  G.,  D.  D.,  57. 

PAULOWXA,  HELENA,  Grand  Duchess  of  Russia, 
service  in  Crimean  war,  52. 

Percy,  P.  F.,  32. 

Pericles,  23. 

Philadelphia,  care  for  soldiers  of  the  American 
Revolution,  37. 

Physicians,  ancient,  18  teq. 

Plutarch,  20,  23. 

Poe,  Mrs.,  and  Lafayette,  38. 

Prisoners  of  war,  seldom  taken  by  the  ancients, 
21. 

Prussia,  originated  in  a  soldiers'  relief  society.  29. 

Public  charity,  Granting  among  the  ancients.  20. 

Pulpit  of  the  American  Revolution,  Thornton,  39. 

REED,  MRS.  ESTHER,  37. 

Relief  of  soldiers,  no  private  organizations  for, 

prior  to  1854,  40. 

Religious  character  of  Union  army.  59,  60. 
Religious  privileges  of  English  soldiers,  57. 
Religious  spirit  of  the  American  Revolution.  39. 
Report  of  Sidney  Herbert't  Committion,  44,  45,  46, 

48. 

Republicanism  and  patriotic  benevolence,  60. 
Rn-ue  Cltritirnne.  51. 


Roma 


medical 


their 


armies,  19. 
Russian  soldiers  in  the  Crimean  war,  51. 


SALADIN,  generosity  toward  wounded  soldiers,  28. 

Schaff.  Philip.  57. 

Schleswig-llolstein  War,  religious  labors  among 
the  soldiers,  56  .-••</. 

Simpson,  Rev.  M..  D.D..  14. 

Sisterhoods,  Roman  Catholic,  28,  29. 

$i*ter$  of  Charity,  Mrs.  Jameson,  28,  45. 

Slain  in  ancient  armies,  very  niini.-n.n-.  •_'!. 

Slavery,  prisoners  of  war  reduced  to,  26. 

Smith.  Prof.  Goldwin.  LL. ».,  16. 

Smith.  Rev.  Henry  IS.,  n.D.,  60. 

Soldiers,  care  of,  in  ancient  times,  18  teq.;  in  the 
Middle  Ages,  27  teq.;  in  liit.-r  time*.  31  rtq. ; 
in  the  American  Revolution.  33  trq. ;  iij  the 
Crimean  War,  40  trq. ;  in  tho  rort'iit  Ameri- 
can Rebellion,  59;  their  position  impi..\«l 
by  introduction  of  gunpowder.  W:  efforts  by 
the  undents  to  recover  tht-ir  dead.  ^J:  offi- 
cial stipulations  for  care  of  disable.! 
international  relief  society,  63  leg.;  inter- 
national treaty,  55. 

Solferino,  battle  of,  52. 

Solon.  23. 

»,H,;-nir  <lr  Slfrrinn  I  Cn\  Diinant,  63. 

Spirit  of  Military  Inttitutinni,  Manuotit,  29. 


742 


INDEXES. 


Surgery,  military,  among  the  ancients.  26. 
Swinton,  William,  60. 

TEUTONIC  KJJIGHTS,  origin  of  the  Order. 
Times  (The),  London,  30,  44. 
Treaty,  international,  concerning  disabled  sol- 
diers, 55. 

Tribune.  (The),  New  York,  51. 
Tribute  Book,  Goodrich,  38. 

UNITED  STATES  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  14,  40,  59, 

60. 
United  States  Sanitary  Commission,  59. 

VALOOURT,  Dr.  de,  50,  51. 
Victoria,  Queen  of  England,  49. 
Visit  to  the  Camp  before  Sebastopol,  McCormick, 
45,  47,  48. 


WAR,  first  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  15; 


sality  of,  in  ancient  times,  16 ;  humanity  of 
Jewish  laws,  16;  prevalent  in  Middle  Ages, 
16;  the  American  Revolution,  33  scq. ;  of 
1812,  40;  Mexican,  40;  Crimean,  43  seq. ; 
Solferino,  52  seq.;  Schleswig-llolstein,  56 
seq.;  American  Rebellion,  58  seq. 

War  for  the  Union,  the  people's  war,  14,  58,  59. 

Warfare,  ancient  mode  of,  21. 

Warren,  Rev.  J.G.,D.D.,  57. 

Washington,  General  George,  describes  the  suffer- 
ings of  his  soldiers.  35 ;  letter  to  the  ladies 
of  Philadelphia,  38. 

Wellington,  Duke  of,  his  humanity  to  the  wound- 
ed, 33. 

Woman's  Work  in  the  Church,  Lndlow,  28. 

Women  of  the  American  Revolution,  active  in 
working  for  soldiers,  36,  37. 

Wylie,  Kev.  T.  W.  J.,  D.D.,41. 


r-    XENOPHON,  18. 


II.  INDEX  TO  THE  ANNALS. 


ABBOTT,  REV.  J.  J.,  303. 

Activity,  religious  and  patriotic,  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  81,  89. 

Adams  Express  Company,  485,  534,  716. 

Adams,  J.  E.,  385. 

Adams,  Rev.  Wm.,  D.  D.,  191, 192. 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  350. 

Albree,  Joseph,  346,  347. 

Alexandria,  Va.,  299,  398. 

Allington,  Rev.  W.,  721. 

Alvord,  Rev.  J.  W.,  85,  88, 176,  298. 

America  and  Her  Army,  Mackenzie,  697. 

American  Baptist  Publication  Society,  700. 

American  Bible  Society,  79,  84, 127,  280  teq.,  460, 
485,  688  seq.,  703,  704. 

American  Bible  Union,  698. 

American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  698. 

American  Messenger,  New  York,  685,  699,  700. 

Ainc  rican  Reform  Tract  and  Book  Society,  700. 

American  Seaman's  Friend  Society,  717. 

American  Sunday  School  Union,  700. 

American  Tract  Society,  Boston,  84, 127,  297,698, 
699,  711. 

American  Tract  Society,  New  York,  85, 127,  297, 
698,  699,  714. 

American  Union  Commission,  447. 

Ames,  Rev.  Bernice  D.,  168. 

Anderson,  Rev.  G.  W.,  136. 

Anderson,  J.  A.,  644. 

Annapolis,  Md.,  319,  320,  659,  660. 

Antietam,  Mi].,  battle  of,  362,  367,  368,  659. 

Army,  as  a  field  for  religious  labors,  81  teq.,  206 
teq.;  divisions  of,  for  Commission  work,  153 
seq. ;  plan  of  field  organization,  561. 

Army  of  the  Cumberland,  beginning  of  work, 
147,  154,  455;  difficulties  of  transportation, 
456;  method  of  work,  456  teq.;  principal 
stations,  459  teq.;  facilities  secured,  468 ;  in- 
creased work,  484;  closing  labors,  513  ttq. 

Army  of  the  Ohio,  147. 148,  484. 

Army  of  the  Potomac,  first  lalwrs,  122, 146, 153; 
work  in  1862,  360-369 ;  in  1863,  369-407  ;  in 
1864,407-136;  in  1865,  436-454;  closing  cam- 
paign, 447. 

Army  of  the  Tennessee,  148, 154,  314,  484, 

Artillery  Brigade,  work  in  an,  425. 

Ashley,  Rev.  S.  S.,  436. 


Ashmead  &  Evans,  Philadelphia,  718. 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  504. 
Augur,  General  C.  C.,  266. 

Auxiliaries.— Branch  Commissions,  relations  and 
fields,  153  seq.;  general  record,  294-359. 

Albany,  N.  Y.,  350. 

Baltimore,  Md.,  318. 

Bangor,  Me.,  340. 

Bath,  Me.,  340. 

Boston,  Mass.,  305. 

Brooklyn,  X.  Y.,  325. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  323. 

Chicago,  111.,  308. 

Cincinnati,  O.,  341. 

Cleveland,  0.,  351. 

Detroit,  Mich.,  348. 

Harrisburg,  Pa.,  356. 

Hartford,  Conn.,  351. 

Indianapolis,  Ind.,  349. 

Louisville,  Ky.,  327. 

Milwaukee,  Wis.,  352. 

Newark,  N.  J.,  356. 

New  Haven,  Conn.,  351. 

New  York,  N.  Y.,  332. 

Peoria,  111.,  330. 

Philadelphia.  Pa.,  304. 

Pittsburg,  Pa.,  345. 

Portland,  Me.,  340. 

Providence,  R.  I.,  355. 

Rochester.  N.  Y.,  325. 

San  Krancisco,  Cal..  352. 

Springfield,  Mass.,  355. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  311. 

8t  Paul,  Minn.,  349. 

Toledo,  0.,  356. 

Troy,  N.  Y.,  341. 

Utica,  N.  Y.,  355. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  296. 

Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  356. 

Ladies'  Commissions,  366. 
See  alto  the  STATISTIC  it  TABLES. 
Ayers,  M.  P.,  625. 

BACOX,  WM.  J.,  366. 
Baird,  Rev.  W.  FM  690. 
Bakor,  Isaac,  673,  601. 
Baker,  I.  Newton,  234. 


744 


INDEXES. 


Baldwin,  H.  P.,  348. 

Ballantyne,  William,  69,  70, 88, 104, 139, 152,  296, 
303. 

Ballard,  F.  W.,  89,  92, 103. 

Baltimore,  79,  318,  520,  529. 

Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  138. 

Bangor,  Me.,  530. 

Bantz,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gideon,  659. 

Baptist  Missionary  Anniversaries,  May,  1861,  85. 

Barnes,  J.  K.,  Surgeon-General  U.  S.  A.,  67,  245, 
410,  671. 

Barrett,  J.  G.,  328. 

Barrows,  Prof.  E.  P.,  D.D.,  167. 

Bates,  Miss  Alraensi  B.,  70. 

Battle-field  work,  261,  385,  428  seq.,  444,  471  seq., 
493  seq.,  508,  547,  596  seq. 

Bealeton,  Va.,  394,  401  seq. 

Beatty,  Mrs.  Mary  S.,  657. 

Beecher,  Rev.  Henry  Ward,  118. 

Beginning  of  the  war,  67;  of  religious  labors 
among  soldiers,  68  seq^  639,  640. 

Belle  Plain,  Va.,  417  seq.,  431  seq. 

Bellows,  Rev.  H.  W.,  D.  D.,  77,  521. 

Bent,  Rev.  G.  R.,  318. 

Best,  Rev.  Jacob,  335. 

BibU  Society  Record,  704. 

Bickerdyke,  Mrs.,  "Mother"  of  General  Sher- 
man's army,  479,480,  501. 

Birney,  General  D.  B.,  453. 

Bishop,  Nathan,  LI.  D.,  152,  333. 

Blackberries  for  the  soldiers,  645,  655. 

Bliss,  S.,  492. 

Blockading  squadrons,  150,  333,  337. 

Boardman,  Rev.  W.  E.,  117, 122, 129,  137, 152, 170, 
192,  359,  364. 

Boardman,  Mrs.  W.  E.,  660. 

Boston,  Mass.,  87,  95,  97, 104, 121,  305,  654. 

Bowler,  Rev.  S.  L.,  303,  340. 

Bowman,  Colonel  S.  M.,  132. 

Bowman,  Mrs.  S.  M.,  353,  354. 

Boynton,  Rev.  C.  B.,  D.  D..  234. 

Bradford,  Mrs.  Augustus  W.,  660. 

Brainerd,  Cephas,  86, 101, 103, 104. 

Branch  Commissions,  sue  AUXILIARIES. 

Brandy  Station,  Va.,  396,  398,  411. 

Breaking  camp,  381,  416. 

Brent,  Mrs.  Jane  W.,  348,  349. 

Bridgeport,  Conn.,  70. 

Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  463,  464. 

Bringhurst,  Rev.  Geo.,  364,  366. 

Brisbane,  Rev.  B.  L.,  722. 

Bristol,  Rev.  D.  W.,  D.  D.,  355. 

British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  280,  696,  697. 

Bronson,  Oliver,  M.D.,  336,  337. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  95,  101, 181, 188,  325. 

Brooklyn  Navy  Yard,  327,  335. 

Broughton,  N.,  Jr.,  297. 

Brown,  Jas.  M.,  333. 

Buckingham,  Wm.  A.,  351. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  320,  323,  324,  520. 


Bull  Run,  Va.,  first  battle  of,  89,  90  seq. 

Burnell,  K.  A.,  148,  314,  466,  467. 

Burnside,  General  A.  E.,  132, 138,  147,  148,  243, 

341. 

Burrowes,  Mrs.  Lucy  H.,  344. 
Butler,  General  B.  F.,  243. 
Butler,  Rev.  C.  M.,  D.  D.,  217. 
Butler,  Rev.  J.  G.,  69. 
Butterfield,  Rev.  H.  Q.,  466. 
Buzzell,  Rev.  Geo.  B.,368. 


CADT,  CHAS.  E.,  Surgeon  U.  8.  A.,  534. 

Cairo,  111.,  310,  331,  556,  704. 

Call  for  Convention  to  appoint  a  Christian  Com- 
mission, 100. 

Cameron,  Simon,  Secretary  of  War,  77,  109, 175, 
248. 

Caldwell,  S.  B.,  326. 

Camp  Convalescent,  near  Alexandria,  Va.,  301, 
302,364,404;  Cowan,  Tenn.,  462;  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  459 ;  Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  460. 

Camp,  March,  and  Battle-Field,  Stewart,  174. 

Camp  Parole,  Annapolis,  Md.,  319,  405. 

Carpenter,  F.  B.,  528. 

Carpenter,  Rev.  J.  R.,  97. 

Carter,  Walter  S.,  352,  507,  596. 

Cash  receipts  by  the  Commission,  521,  726 ;  ex- 
penditures, 727. 

Castle,  Rev.  J.  H.,  136. 

Cavalry,  day's  work  among,  449. 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  70. 

Charlestown  Navy  Yard,  306. 

Chamberlain,  A.  E.,  217,  342,  536. 

Chancellorsville,  Va.,  378  seq. 

Chartres,  Lieutenant.  Thos.,  184,  437. 

Chapel  at  Meade  Station,  Va.,  described,  183  seq  ; 
suddenly  changed  to  a  field  hospital,  443. 

Chapels,  and  chapel-roofs,  174  seq.,  408,  412,  413, 
414,  442,  447,  448,  459,  514. 

Chapels,  wooden,  sent  from  Cincinnati. 

Chaplains,  88,  94,  97,  126,  142,  177,  178,  394,  401, 
408,  412,  442,  452,  456,  481,  490,  506,  514,  544, 
549,  577,  709. 

Chase,  Geo.  S.,  437. 

Chase,  S.  P.,  Chief-Justice  U.  S.  Supreme  Court, 
132,  216,  237. 

Chatfield,  S.,  320. 

Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  464  seq.,  470  seq.,  514. 

Chicago,  111.,  75,  76,  122,  308,  310,  520. 

Chickamauga,  Tenn.,  battle  of  the,  462  seq.,  466. 

Chidlaw,  Rev.  B.  W.,  78, 117, 173,  217,  341,  342. 

Children  and  their  work  for  the  soldiers,  232, 354, 
539,  540,  645,  651  seq.,  712  seq. 

Christ  in  the  Army,  67. 

Christian  Banner  (The),  685. 

Christian  men  in  first  regiments,  82. 

"Christian  Commission.''  first  use  or  the  name. 
96.  See  UNITED  STATES  CHRISTIAN  COMMIS- 


II.    INDEX   TO   THE   ANNALS. 


745 


Cliristian  World  (The),  England,  82. 

Christinas  dinners  for  the  soldiers,  320,  329. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio,  78,  79,  341. 

Cincinnati  Young  Men's  Bible  Society,  78. 

City  Point,  Va.,  196,  322,  420  teq.,  440  teq.,  661 
seq. 

Clark,  Chas.  F.,  348. 

Clark,  H.  II.,  415. 

Claxton,  Rev.  J.  B.,  D.D.,  325. 

Clendenin,  Win.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  513. 

Cleveland,  Ohio,  72, 181,  351. 

Cleveland,  Tenn.,  492. 

Clippinger,  G.  W.,  349. 

Coffee  Wagon  described,  445. 

Coffin,  C.  C.  ("  Carleton  "  of  the  Boston  Journal), 
435,  582. 

Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  battle  of,  419. 

Cole,  John  A.,  139,  143,  146,  147,  177,  251,  317, 
360,  370,  698. 

Cole,  Lewis,  185. 

Colfax,  Schuyler,  234,  256,  268,  528. 

Colored  Troops,  schools  for,  437,  438,  442,  452 
seq. 

Colwell,  Stephen,  217,  229. 

Colyer,  Vincent,  69,  83,  88,  89,  92,94,95,96,99, 
100, 101, 103, 104, 122, 174,  297,  298,  326. 

"Comfort  Bags,"  486,  539,  651  seq. 

Commission  given  to  Delegates,  541 ;  to  Special 
Deputation,  192 ;  to  Lady  Managers  of  Diet 
Kitchens,  672. 

Concord,  Mass,  70. 

Confederate  soldiers,  156,  157,  308,  321,  446,  472, 
474,  475,  588,  589,  595. 

Connecticut,  Auxiliaries  in,  351. 

Contributions,  cash,  519-540,  726,  730 ;  rate  of  in- 
crease, 519;  cost  of  collecting,  519;  from 
fairs,  520;  general  sources,  521;  public  col- 
lections, 522  seq. ;  special  contributions,  525 
teq. ;  from  public  officers,  528 ;  from  corpora- 
tions, 530 ;  from  foreign  countries,  531 ;  from 
foreign  missionaries,  532,  533 ;  from  the  sol- 
diers, 533;  from  the  navy,  535;  keepsakes 
and  special  offerings,  536  ttq. ;  from  the 
ladies,  539 ;  from  the  children,  539,  540. 

Convention  to  form  the  Christian  Commission, 
assembles,  103;  delegates  present,  103, 104 ; 
appoints  the  Commission,  105, 106. 

Cook,  Rev.  R.  S.,  333. 

Cooke,  Jay,  129, 130, 152, 156, 157. 

Cookman,  George,  102. 

Corporations,  facilities  granted  by,  138,  317,  329, 
343,  347,  353,  485,  530, 534,716;  contribution* 
from,  530. 

Crane,  Rev.  K.  N.,  151,  635. 

Crimea,  Knglish  soldiers  in  the,  434,  679. 

Critchfteld,  Rev.  N.  B.,  489,  604. 

Crittencl.-n.  (i.'iu-ral  Thoe.  L.,  505. 

Croll,  L.  H.,  349. 

Crosby,  Charles,  489. 
94 


Crosby,  Judge  N.,  71,  72,  73. 

Cross,  Rev.  A.  Bn  323. 

Crowell,  Mrs.  W.  G.,  357,  359. 

Crozer,  John  P.,  106, 129. 130,131,  152,  229. 

Cudworth,  Rev.  W.  H.,  97. 

Culpepper,  Va.,  394,  427. 

Curwensville,  Pa.,  624. 

Cutler,  Rev.  B.  C.,  D.D.,  108,  113, 122, 129. 

Cnyler,  John  M.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  322,  553. 

DAXFORTH,  RET.  A.  II.,  576. 

Dauphin  Island,  Ala.,  516. 

Davis,  Admiral  Chas.  H.,  257. 

Dedrick,  Levi,  350. 

Delegate  of  the  Commission,  captured  and  im- 
prisoned, 156,  161,  464. 

Delegates,  the  first  company,.  122,  552;  first 
method  of  working,  144,  361:  improved 
method,  145,  369;  paid  and  unpaid,  338,  339, 
548,  569;  death  of,  462,  484,  510;  incon- 
veniences, 457,495;  their  commission,  541; 
instructions,  542 ;  duties,  543  seq..  249, 433  seq^ 
465,  478,  511 ;  to  camps,  544  .-•(•-/.;  to  hospitals, 
546,  547;  to  battle-fields,  547,  general  re- 
quisites and  provisions,  548  teq. ;  service  at 
home,  550;  characteristics  and  value  of  their 
labors,  554  seq.;  representative  of  home  and 
of  the  churches,  564  .-••</..  577;  aptness  in 
teaching,  572  teq.;  reflex  influence  of  their 
work.  574;  Christian  union,  575;  helps  to 
success,  677,  578;  how  they  lived.  582;  re- 
ports of  work,  580,  591,596;  list  of  names, 
602  srq. ;  list  of  deceased,  739 ;  cash  expenses, 
time  of  service,  and  estimated  cash  value  of 
services,  727-733. 

Delegates'  Home,  Nashville.  Tenn..  4V!.  484,  513. 

Demond,  Charles,  103, 104,  106, 108,  113,  115.  1.-3, 
127, 128, 129,  130, 131, 140,  l.VJ,  IT'",,  •.>-_'.•,  247, 
307,  648. 

Dennison,  Wm.,  Postmaster-General,  216. 

Department  of  the  Gulf,  150,  332,  336,  617. 

Department  of  the  Ohio,  147,  148, 154. 

Department  of  the  Mississippi,  149.  14.  314,  517. 

Deputation  to  Southern  Military  Prisons,  188  teq. 

Detn.it,  Mich.,  348. 

Dickinson,  Rev.  E.  F.,  76. 

Diet  of  sick  and  disabled  soldiers,  454  teq. 

Diet  Kitchens,  187,  663  teq. ;  at  Citmp  Douglass, 

Chicago,  309;  at  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio,  344; 

in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  438 ;  in  the 

Army  of  the  Cumberland,  467,  488,  613;  at 

i.urg,  Pa.,  658. 

Diet  Kitchen  Service,  663  ttq.;  importance  of 
special  diet  for  sick  and  disabled,  664,  674, 
675;  plan  of  Mr«.  Witn-mmer'a  kitchen*, 
665,  666;  adopted  by  the  Conimiiwinn.  667, 
668;  welcomed  by  wirgpons,  668,  674.678; 
kitchens  established,  W9,  670:  «i..v,-rnni,-Mt 
approval  and  endorsem-nt.  ••:".  »'T1;  Maiia- 


746 


INDEXES. 


ger's  commission,  672 ;  instructions,  672, 673; 
method  of  working,  674  seq.;  consolidated 
diet  list  of  sixteen  hospitals  for  one  month, 
680,  6S1;  kitchens  of  Miss  Nightingale,  in 
the  Crimea,  679  ;  list  of  lady  managers,  682; 
cash  expenditures  in  the  service,  727,  731, 
732 ;  deceased  managers,  739. 

Dix,  Miss  Dorothea  L.,  80. 

Dodge,  Wm.  E.,  118, 132,  333. 

Dodge,  Geo.  K.,  136. 

Doolittle,  J.  R.,  264. 

Douglass,  Clias.,  340. 

Douglass,  Rev.  R.  D.,  437,  463,  480,  489. 

Duff,  Rev.  Alexander,  D.D.,  531. 

Duffield,  Mrs.  Isabella  G.,  537. 

Dnnton,  Jacob,  445. 

Duryea,  Rev.  J.  T.,  181,  568,  576. 

Dutcher,  John  A.,  352,  596. 

Duties  of  Delegates,  249,  433  seq.,  465,  478,  511, 
543  seq. ;  of  Diet  Kitchen  Managers,  672  seq. 

Duty  of  the  churches  to  the  army,  200  seq.,  206 
seq.,  522. 

Dyer,  Rev.  A.  R.,  462. 

Dyer,  Rev.  Heman,  D.D.,  279,  333. 

EARXSHAW,  REV.  WM.,  461. 

Easton,  Pa.,  539. 

Eastport,  Miss.,  516. 

Eaton,  Rev.  S.  J.  M.,  431. 

Ecclesiastical  History  of  England,  Stoughton,  578. 

Ecclesiastical  position  of  the  Christian  Commis- 
sion, 302,  522,  568. 

Edwards,  Rev.  J.  II.,  435. 

Eells,  Rev.  James,  D.  ».,  129, 152. 

Eggleston,  Edward,  349. 

Electoral  College  of  Pennsylvania,  529. 

Elkhorn,  Wis..  643. 

Emerson,  Rev.  Alfred,  200. 

Emery,  Rev.  S.  II.,  125,  534,  610. 

Emmons,  II.  V.,  437. 

Ensign,  Rev.  F.  G.,  150,  314,  315. 

Ernst,  Rev.  John  F.,  152. 

Ewing,  T.  R.,  150,  370,  464,  489,  507,  511,  512. 

Exchange  of  prisoners,  Colonel  Ould  to  General 
Grant,  197. 

Executive  Committee.  See  UNITED  STATES  CHRIS- 
TIAN COMMISSION. 

Expenditures  by  the  Commission,  727,  730. 

Expenses  of  the  Commission,  727,  730,  731,  732. 

Extra-governmental  assistance  in  the  army,  ne- 
cessity for,  551-563. 

FAIRFAX,  VA.,  382,  393,  395. 

Fall  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  Va.,  444. 

Falmouth,  Va.,  377,  379  seq.,  418. 

Farragut,  Admiral  D.  G.,  216,  246. 

Farwell,  John  V..  76,  106, 152,  307,  507. 

Fay,  0.  W.  704. 

Ferris,  Rev.  Isaac,  D.D.,  695. 


Fessenden,  F.  II.,  601. 

Field,  David  Dudley,  77. 

Field  organization  of  the  Commission,  early  de- 
fects, 144,  361,  455  ;  improvements,  145  seq.. 
369,  408 ;  for  an  active  campaign,  415. 

Financial  crisis  of  1857,  64. 

First  call  for  troops,  68. 

First  subscriptions  of  the  war,  71. 

Fisher,  Rev.  C.  E.,  400. 

Fisher,  Rev.  J.  P.,  303. 

Fisk,  General  Clinton  B.,  108,  217,  310. 

Fitch,  Captain  J.  R.,  463. 

Fitz,  Rev.  S.  E.,  401. 

Five  Forks,  Va.,  battle  of,  443,  451. 

Flint,  Rev.  R.,  573,  574. 

Folsom,  Rev.  E.,  76. 

Food,  preparation  of,  for  sick  soldiers.  See  DIET, 
DIET  KITCHENS,  DIET  KITCHEN  SERVICE. 

Foote,  Admiral  A.  H.,  132,  154. 

Foreign  countries,  contributions  from,  531  seq. 

Fort  Donelson,  Tenn.,  122. 

Fortress  Monroe,  Va.,  552. 

Foster,  Frederick  G.,  152,  333. 

Fowler,  Rev.  P.  H.,  D.  D.,  355. 

Franklin,  Tenn.,  507,  511. 

Frederick,  Md.,  176,  659. 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  368,  417  seq.,  431  seq.,  570, 


French,  J.  D.  W.,  495. 
Frew,  Wm.,  346. 
Fuller,  Rev.  A.,  422. 

Fulton  Street  Prayer  Meeting,  New  York,  origin 
of,  64  seq. 

GALLAGHER,  REV.  MASON,  88. 

Ganse,  Rev.  II.  D.,  132. 

Garrett,  J.  W.,  138. 

Gates,  Mrs.  Ellen  Huntington,  279. 

Gettysburg,  Pa.,  battle  of,  143,  322,  383  seq.,  552. 

Gilbert,  Rev.  W.  H.,  690. 

Gladwin,  Rev.  W.  J.,  317. 

Good  by  the  way,  555. 

Goodrich,  F.  B.,  70,  71,  72,  73,  77. 

Goss,  Rev.  C.  C.,  88. 

Gould  &  Lincoln,  Boston,  717. 

Government  favor  and  facilities  for  the  Commis 

sion,  136  seq.,  143,  232,  337,  343,  513,  665,  670, 

671,  718. 

Grant,  James,  96,  99,  102. 
Grant,  General  U.  S.,  122,  126,  140,  141,  148,  149, 

192, 193, 194,  195, 197,  238,  253,  269,  468,  479, 

676. 

Grapes  for  sick  soldiers,  352,  655. 
"  Great  March  "  of  General  Sherman,  222, 504  seq, 
Greek  Testaments  among  the  soldiers,  78. 
Gregory,  General  E.  M.,  196. 
Grldley,  F.,  324. 
Griffin,  Samuel,  653. 
Griffith,  G.  S.,  79, 152,  318. 


II.    INDEX   TO    THE    ANTXALS. 


747 


Griffith,  W.  S.,  326. 
Orinnell,  Moses  II.,  71. 
Orosvenor,  0.  D.,  325. 
Gunboats,  Western,  work  on,  331. 

HALL.  REV.  GEO.  A.,  437. 

Hall,  Rev.  S.H.,D.D.,  690. 

Halleck.  General  II.  W.,  124, 137, 139. 

Hamilton,  Rev.  B.  F.,  370,  405. 

Hamlin,  Hannibal,  Vice-President,  77, 162,  216. 

Hammond,  W.  A.,  Surgeon-General  U.  8.  A.,  126, 

137, 138,  553. 

Hancock,  General  W.  S.,  242. 
Hiir.lv.  J.  Edward,  328. 

Harlan,  James,  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  256. 
Harris  Mi •-.  E.  >!..  74,  89,  90,  483. 
Harri.sbu.r-.  Pa.,  356,  657. 
Harrisburg  Ladies'  Relief  Association,  657. 
Hartsough,  Rev.  L.,  645. 
Hartt,  Chas.  P.,  341. 
Hawes,  Rev.  E.,  217,  303,  453,  466. 
Hays,  Geo.  P.,  152,  318. 
Henson,  Rev.  Joseph,  336. 
Higbee,  Theodore,  330. 
Hill,  John  D.,  M.  D.,  103, 106, 131,  323,  324. 
Hitchcock,  General  E.  A.,  197. 
History  of  the  CM  War,  Lossing,  68,  77,  80. 
ffittary  of  the  Crimean  War,  Chambers,  434. 
History  of  Rationalism,  Hurst,  63. 
History  <>f  the  Sanitary  Commission,  Stille,  77. 
Hoadley,  David,  353. 
Holmes,  R«v.  H.  M.,  514,  515. 
Holmes,  Rev.  J.  M.,  651. 

Home  and  the  array,  544,  547,  561-566,  594, 735. 
Home  organization  of  the  Commission,  110  seq., 

153  trq.,  166  seq.,  171,  173,  295  teq. 
Hooker,  General  Joseph,  139. 
Hopkins.  L.  C.,  342. 
Hotchkin,  Rev.  B.  B.,  572. 
Honghton,  Henry  C,  150,  437,  489. 
"  Housewives,"  486.  539, 651  ieq. 
Howard,  B.  II.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  213. 
Howard,  General  O.  0.,  132, 240, 463,480, 481, 482, 

492,  498,  500. 

Howland,  Rev.  H.  0.,  398. 
Hunt,  Rev.  8.,  324. 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  514. 
Hussey,  Rev.  John,  156, 157,158, 161,  464. 
Hutchinson  Family,  279. 

ILLINOIS  STATE  SAXITART  COMMISSION,  228. 
Independent  (The),  New  York,  82, 118. 
Indianapolis,  Ind..  349. 
Individual  Relief  Department,  187,  227,  408,  409, 

438  teq..  44.V 

1 1<  f»r  ami  inn  for  Army  Meetinfft,  522. 
Inskip.  Rev.  JohnS.,  174,115. 
•  Ir.M.sides"  of  Cromwell  and  the  Union  soldiers, 

678. 


JACOBS,  B.  F.,  76, 122,  307,  507.  596,  600. 

Janes,  Rev.  E.  S..  D.  D.,  106, 108, 113, 130, 131, 139, 

140,  144, 152, 191, 192,  194,  196,  216. 
Jenkins,  Chas.  W.,  370,  407,  412,  415. 
Jessup,  Rev.  H.  H.,  533. 
Jesup,  Morris  K.,  333. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Edwin,  *00. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Herrick,  260,  346. 
Johnson's  Island,  Ohio,  156, 157. 
Jones,  E.  D.,  311,  312. 

Jones,  Horatio  G.,191, 192, 194, 196, 197,  218,  229. 
Journal  (The)  Daily,  Boston,  582. 
Jubilee  Memorial  of  American  Bible  Society,  695. 

KEENEY,  MRS.  MART  E.,  354. 

Kennard,  Rev.  J.  II.,  D.D.,  132. 

Kimball,  James  S.,  484,  510. 

King,  Harvey  J.,  341. 

Kingsley,  Rev.  J.  C.,  303. 

Kingston,  Ga.,  498  teq. 

Kirk,  Rev.  E.  N.,  D.D.,  167,  223,  699. 

Kirkby.  Wm.,  437,  454. 

Knox  Female  Seminary,  Galesburg,  111.,  538. 

Knox,  H.  M.,  349. 

Knoxville,  Tenn.,  476. 

LADIES'  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSIONS,  170, 187,  227, 324, 
348,  354,  356  seq. 

Lady  Delegates  or  Missionaries,  315. 

Lady  Managers  of  Diet  Kitchens,  665  seq.;  their 
commission,  instructions,  and  duties,  672  seq.; 
list  of  names,  682;  deceased,  739. 

Lambertville,  N.  J.,  642  teq. 

Lanphivr,  J.  C.,  64,  65. 

Lathrop,  Rev.  H.  D.,  355,  489,  493. 

Lawrence,  Arthur,  495,  504,  505. 

Lawrence,  Rev.  Wm.  A.,  150,  444,  449,  477,  495, 
504,  655. 

Loo,  Rev.  Alfred,  D.D,  191,  192,  194,  196, 197. 

Lee,  General  Robert  E.,  194. 

Leete,  Rev.  Thos.  A.,  425. 

Letter-writing  in  the  army,  344,  487,  488,  508, 
517,  729,  735. 

Libraries,  at  chapel  tents  and  stations,  181,  327, 
44S,  724.  See  LOAN  LIBRARIES. 

Lincoln,  A.,  President,  68,  77,  94,  109.  143.  Ifi-j, 
214,  215,  216,  224,  248,  256,  399,  527,  528,  671. 

List  of  Member*  and  Officers  of  the  Christian 
Commission,  169,  170;  of  Lady  Delegate*, 
315;  of  Lady  Manajcers  of  Diet  Kitrhen*, 
682;  of  Delegate,  602;  corrections  and  addi- 
tions, 638:  of  the  Commission  at  it*  clo*e, 
737;  of  deceased  Member*  and  Delegate*, 
738,  739. 

44  Lizzie's  Letter,"  712  teq. 

Loan  Libraries,  437 :  plan  of,  717  Kq.;  nnml.-r, 
7'Jl ;  example*  of  u*>,  721  teq. ;  flnal  loca- 
tion, 723. 

Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  battle  of,  471  ttq. 


748 


INDEXES. 


Lookout  Valley,  Tenn.,  480. 

Loomis,  Rev.  Elihu,  437. 

Loomis,  Rev.  W.  F.,  472. 

Louisville,  Ky.,  327. 

Lovell,  Rev.  A.  S.,  335. 

Lowell,  Mass,  72. 

Lowrie,  M.  B.,  436. 

Loyd,  Rev.  J.  F.,  150,  329,  477,  492,  495. 

Lucas  Brothers,  698. 

Lyford,  Rev.  C.  P.,  152,  303,  355,  404. 

MACKENZIE,  ROBERT,  697. 

McAuley.  Rev.  A.  G.,  168. 

McCabe,  Rev.  C.  C.,  173,  331,  525. 

McCalmout,  Colonel  J.  S.,  117. 

McClelian,  General  George  B.,  89,  107, 109, 125, 

137,  139. 

McCreary,  R.  G.,  370,  386. 
McElroy,  Wm.,  350. 
Mcllvaine,  Rev.  C.  P.,  B.D.,  88, 191. 
Mcllvaine,  G.  H.,  330. 
Mclntyre,  J.  W.,  152,  311,  312. 
McJilton,  Rev.  J.  N.,  D.  D.,  318. 

McKean,  Colonel ,  132. 

McKnight,  Robert,  346. 

McLeod,  Rev.  H.,  495,  507,  511,  515,  516. 

McMichael,  Morton.  529. 

Magazines  for  the  army,  485,  714  seq. 

Maine,  Auxiliaries  in,  340. 

Manierre,  B.  F.,  103,  104,  106, 108, 110, 112, 113, 

116, 129, 134. 
Marietta.  Ga.,  503. 
Marlay,  Rev.  J.  F.,  342. 
Massachusetts  General  Association,  200. 
Massachusetts  Sabbath-School  Society,  297,  700. 
Mather,  S.  H.,  351. 
Matlack,  Rev.  R.  C.,  385. 
Maynard,  Horace,  132. 
Bleade,  General  George  G.,  143, 196,  239,  266. 
Meal  tickets  for  soldiers,  331,  557. 
Meech,  Rev.  W.  W.,  707. 
Meigs,  M.  C.,  Quartermaster-General  U.  S.  A.,  176, 

245. 

Mellen,  L.  F.,  351. 

Members  of  the  Christian  Commission,  169,  737. 
Memorial  Record  of  the  Dead,  738,  739. 
Memorial  Record  of  the  New  York  Branch,  333, 

334.  336,  523,  645. 
Meredith,  General  S.  A.,  158, 159. 
Merrill,  D.  D.,  349. 
Methodist  (77ie),  New  York,  182 
Miller,  II.  Thane,  103, 106, 108. 
Miller,  J.  R.,  370,  401,  415,  419,  590. 
Miller,  Mitchell  II.,  88,  99, 131,  296. 
Milton,  Pa.,  644. 
Milwaukee,  Wig.,  352. 
Mine  Run,  Va.,  battle  of,  396,  397,  553. 
Mingins,  Rev.  George  J.,  132,  173,  336,  352,  354, 

359,  366,  704. 


Missionaries,  contributions  from,  532,  533. 

Mission  Ridge,  Tenn.,  battle  of,  470  seq. 

Mobile,  Ala.,  516. 

Money  sent  home  for  the  soldiers,  438,  450,  451. 

Monfort,  Rev.  F.  P.,  580. 

Montgomery,  Ala.,  517. 

Monthly  Reporter  of  British  and  Foreign  Bible 

Society,  280. 
Moody,  D.  L.,  76, 122, 152,  307,  308,  459,  492. 
Moorehead,  Miss  Mary  E.,  669. 
Morgan  County,  111.,  525. 
Morganzia,  La.,  185. 

Morrison,  Rev.  A.  M.,  116, 117, 119, 120, 129. 
Moss,  Rev.  Lemuel,  168,  279. 
Mount  Hoi  yoke  Female  Seminary,  South  Had- 

ley,  Mass.,  538. 

Mulford,  Major  John  E.,  158, 159, 193, 194, 195. 
Murfreesboro',  Tenn.,  459  seq. 
Mygatt,  George,  351. 

Narratives  of  Conversions,  Conant,  66,  67. 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  457  seq.,  481   seq.,  Delegates' 

Home,  483;  battle  of,  507,  596  stq. 
National  Baptist  (Tl>e),  Philadelphia,  214. 
Navy,  work  in  the,  153,  306,  327,  333,  seq.,  517. 
Neale,  Rev.  R.  H.,  B.D.,  106, 152,  248. 
Nelson,  Thomas,  531,  697. 
Newark,  N.  J.,  355. 
Newport,  R.  I.,  530. 
Newspapers  in  the  army,  religious,  686,  707  seq.; 

secular,  714  seq. 
Newton,  Rev.  R.,  D.D.,  132,  217. 
New  Testament  for  each  soldier  in  the  army,  372, 

376,  460,  480,  485,  689. 
New  York,  79,  82,  86,  87,  89,  95, 103, 104, 118, 150, 

176, 185,  297,  332,  523,  526,  696. 
New  York  Sabbath  Committee,  700. 
Nichols,  Rev.  Starr,  492. 
Nightingale,  Miss  Florence,  71,  268,  269, 275, 434, 

664,  666,  669,  679. 
Noble,  Rev.  T.  K.,  437. 
North  American  (Tl,e\  Philadelphia, 642. 
Notes  on  Hospitals,  Miss  Nightingale,  664,  669. 
Nursing  in  public  hospitals,  methods  of.  669. 

Officers  of  the  Christian  Commission,  170,  737*. 

Ogden,  Joseph  H.,  168,  659. 

Olcott,  Thomas  W.,  350. 

Oliver,  Rev.  R.  W.,  98. 

Orange,  N.  J.,  75. 

Orange,  Rev.  S.  J.,  723. 

Ord,  General  E.  0.  C.,  244. 

Quid,  Colonel  Robert,  193, 194, 198. 

Overland  Express  Company,  317. 

PACIFIC  COAST,  Auxiliaries  on  the,  352,  355,  725. 

Palmer,  G.  II.,  340. 

Panama  Railroad  Company,  353. 

Parker,  Rev.  H.  F.,  437. 


II.    INDEX   TO   THE   ANNALS. 


749 


Parker,  Joseph,  305. 
Parkes,  Miss  Bessie  R.,  569. 
Parsons,  Rev.  B.,  152,  462,  463. 

Parsons,  J.  II.,  312. 
Parvin.  Kev.  R.  J.,  280,  357,  359. 
Pastoral  Letter  of  Massachusetts  General  Asso- 
ciation, 200. 

Patrick,  General  M.  R.,  139,  140,  21",  241,  401, 

403. 
Patterson,  John,  75. 

Patterson,  Joseph,  129,  132,  134,  152,  162.  218, 
229,  289. 

Patterson,  Kev.  Robert,  D.D.,  76,  117,  122,  173, 
3o->,  354. 

Panlding,  Admiral  Hiram,  154. 

Pearne,  Rev.  T.  H.,  181. 

Peloubet,  Rev.  F.  N.,  705. 

Peninsular  Campaign,  362,  364  seq. 

Pennsylvania  Central  Railroad  Company,  530. 

Pennsylvania  troops  first  at  Washington,  69. 

Peoria,  111.,  330. 

Perkins,  D.  W.,  352. 

Perkins,  Joseph,  351. 

Perkins,  W.  F.,  342. 

Petersburg,  Va.,  446. 

Philadelphia,  73,  75,  87, 90, 121,  122,  304. 305. 524, 
526,  539. 

Philadelphia  Ladies*  Aid  Society,  73  seq.,  89,  90 
teg.,  483. 

Philanthropic  Results  of  the  War,  Brockett,  82. 

Phillips,  Philip,  217,  234,  256,  264,  279. 

Picket  station,  day's  work  at  a,  403. 

Piety  and  patriotism,  63,  567,  578,  646. 

Pitcher,  Rev.  O.  P.,  300,  303,  398. 

Pittsburg,  PH.,  345,  524,  526,  669. 

Pittsbiirg  Landing,  Tenu.,  battle  of,  122. 

Pittsburg  (Pa.)  Subsistence  Committee,  346. 

Plea  from  the  army  for  the  Gospel,  206. 

Pleasanton,  General  Alfred,  403. 

Poe  &  Hitchcock,  Cincinnati,  718. 

Point  Lookout,  Md.,  321. 

Point  of  Rocks,  Va.,  440  seq.,  591,  676  seq. 

Pollock,  James,  132,  644. 

Porter,  Rev.  Byron,  640. 

Porter,  Kthel  II.,  691. 

Porter,  Rev.  Jeremiah,  311. 

Porter,  Mrs.  Jeremiah,  311,  501. 

Potts,  W.  S.,  349. 

Powers,  Rev.  II.,  351,  460. 

Prayer-meetings,  daily,  throughout  the  United 
States,  in  1857,66;  daily,  at  the  army  sta- 
tions of  the  Commission,  372,  395,  399,  435, 
458,  459;  meeting  at  a  flying  hospital,  435, 
436;  in  hospital  wagons,  466,  467. 

Pray.T  with  President  Lincoln,  214. 

Pr.-sbyt.Tian  Hoard  of  Publication,  700. 

Presbyterian  (0.  S.)  General  Assembly,  205. 

Presbyterian  Publication  Committee,  700. 

Prescott,  George  W.,  349. 


Press,  co-operation  of  the,  118, 133,  253,  347,  523. 

Press  (77ie),  Philadelphia,  553. 

l"rincetan  Review,  657. 

Prisoners  of  war  (Union),  relief  sent  to  Rich- 
mond, in  1863, 156  seq.;  Deputation  in  1864, 
188  seq.;  Colonel  Quid's  proposition  for  at- 
tendance and  exchange,  197;  at  Annapolis, 
Md.,  320.  See  CONFEDERATE  SOLDIERS. 

Proclamation  of  Emancipation,  143. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Book  Society,  700. 

Providence,  R.  I.,  355. 

Publication  Societies,  688,  696,  098,  700. 

Publications,  first  distributions  in  the  army,  685; 
improvement  in  quality  and  style,  686 ; 
amount  and  variety,  687,  688,  702,  729; 
Scriptures,  688  seq. ;  other  books,  700 ;  news- 
papers, 700,  701,  709;  eagerly  welcomed,  703, 
734,735;  distributions  in  the  navy,  708  seq; 
"Lizzie's  Letter,"  712  seq.;  secular  papers 
and  magazines,  714  seq.;  loan  libraries.  716 
seq. ;  other  libraries,  724 ;  cash  value  of,  687, 
728,  729,  730,  731. 

Publishers,  co-operation  of,  485, 700,  714  seq.,  717. 


QUIOLET,  THOMAS,  328. 
Quimby,  Prof.  E.  T.,  646. 
Quint,  Rev.  A.  H.,  174. 


RALSTOX,  JOHX,  640. 

Rand,  Rev.  J.  S.,  723. 

Randolph,  Lieutenant  W.  F.,  158. 

Rankin,  Miss  Melinda,  710,  711. 

Rathbone,  John  P.,  350. 

Ray,  Jiuiics  M.,  349. 

Rebellion  Record,  Moore,  77,  82,  86, 175. 

"  Red  Tape,"  555,  558. 

Reed,  Rev.  Alexander,  130, 132, 139,  217,  363. 

Refugees,  Southern,  329. 

It.-i.l.  K.-v.  A.  H.,  178,  179. 

Relief  Stations,  322,  384,  495. 

Religious  awakening  of  1857-'8,  63  seq. 

Religious  character  of  the  Commission's  work, 
567  seq. 

Religious  interest  in  the  army,  178  seq.,  250,  425 
«•-/.,  434  seq.,  Ml  seq.,  448,  460,  461,  468  seq., 
477,  482,  489  seq*,  616,  570,  576,  679,  678. 

Retreat  of  wagon  trains,  395. 

Kereillr  (The),  New  Albany,  Ind.  (Hospital),  674. 

Review  of  the  armies  (May,  1866),  2SJ. 

Reynold*,  William,  330,  490,  492,  §85. 

Ki.-har.ls,  Rev.  C.  II.,  446. 

Ki.-hanls,  7..,  296. 

Richardson,  A.  O.,  217. 

Richmond,  Va.,  444,  446. 

Ringgold,  Tenn.,  490;  battle  of,  478. 

Rising,  RPT.  Franklin,  366. 

Roberts,  J.  B.,  363. 

Rochester,  N.  Y,  826. 


750 


INDEXES. 


Rodgers,  C.  P.  R.,  Commander  U.  S.  N.,  708,  709. 

Rodman,  Rev.  Washington,  335. 

Rosecrans,  General  Wm.  S.,  147,  148. 

Rowland,  L.  P.,  Jr.,  198,  306. 

Runk,  C.  M.,  529. 

Russell,  Isaac,  328,  565,  707. 

SABBATH  ORDERS  of  General  McClellan,  89. 

Sacramento,  Gal.,  520. 

St.  George's  Churcli,  New  York,  101. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  79, 122,  228,  311,  316  seq. 

St.  Paul,  Minn.,  349. 

Sandwich  Islands,  303. 

Sanford,  H.  B.,  653. 

Sanford,  H.  P.,  303. 

San  Francisco,  Cal.,  352,  520,  526,  725. 

San  Joaquin  County,  Cal.,  525. 

Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.,  143,526. 

Sather,  P.,  353. 

Savannah,  Ga,,  505. 

Scarcity  of  supplies  and  great  suffering,  465. 

Schools  in  the  army  for  colored  troops,  187,  442, 
452  seq.,  711,  712;  for  poor  children  and 
adults,  464,  480;  for  refugees,  329. 

Scott,  General  Winfield,  132. 

Scribner  &  Co.,  New  York,  717. 

Scriptures,  circulation  in  the  army,  688  seq.,  698, 
713;  distributed  through  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  460,  480,  485;  through  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  297,  372,  376. 

Seward,  Wm.  H.,  Secretary  of  State,  216,  217, 
236,  697. 

Sexton.  John  W.,  102. 

Shaftesbury,  Earl  of,  280,  288. 

Sharon  Springs,  N.  Y.,  6J5. 

Shearer,  F.  H.,  139,  370,  415. 

Shelocta,  Pa.,  640. 

Shenandoah,  Va.,  Valley  of  the,  517. 

Sheridan,  General  Philip,  462;  a  day  among  his 
cavalry,  449. 

Sherman,  General  Win.  T.,  238,  496,  497,  499; 
among  his  troops,  222,  239,  335,  496  seq.,  504. 

Simons,  P.  B.,  87, 152. 

Simpson,  Rev.  M.,  D.D.,  132,  229. 

Sing  Sing,  N.  Y.,  540. 

Six  Months  at  the  White  House,  Carpenter,  528. 

Sloan,  Rev.  I.  O.,  363,  364,  365,  367. 

Smith,  General  A.  J.,  516,  597,  600. 

Smith,  Rev.  E.  P.,  140, 141, 147, 148, 149,  200,  236, 
455,  456,  507,  512,  535,  557,  596,  655,  667,  668, 
707,  716,  723. 

Smith,  Mrs.  E.  P,  483,  484,  513,  655. 

Smith,  Rev.  J.C..D.D.,  132. 

Smith,  J.  V.  C.,  151,  336. 

Smith,  Rev.  J.  Wheaton,  D.B.,  217. 

Smyth,  Isaac  S.,  312. 

Soldiers,  character  of  the,  577, 578 ;  heroic  endur- 
ance, 434, 592;  motives  and  spirit,  646;  desire 
for  reading-matter,  685,  703  seq. ;  contribu-  | 


tions  from,  512,  533.  See  RELIGIOUS  INTEREST 
IN  THE  ARMY. 

Soldiers'  Aid  Societies,  method  of,  642  seq. 

Soldiers'  Hymn  Book,  the  first  issued,  86. 

Sorby,  Mrs.  Mary  Talbot,  282. 

Spencer,  Rev.  Dwight,  336. 

Spottsylvania,  Va.,  429,  431. 

Springfield,  Mass.,  355. 

Stan  ton,  E.  M.,  Secretary  of  War,  124,  131,138, 
139, 140, 189.  236,  671,  718. 

Station,  army,  appliances  and  method  of  work, 
1  413  seq.,  457,  486. 

Stationery.    See  LETTER-WRITING  IN  THE  ARMY. 

Statistical  Tables,— Treasurers  Reports,  134, 162, 
218,  289 ;  cash  receipts  and  expenditures  at 
the  several  offices,  163,  219, 290, 726, 727,  730; 
amount  and  value  of  stores  and  publications 
received  and  distributed,  135,  163,  164,  219, 
220,  291,  687,  688,  728;  summary  of  values, 
135, 164, 221, 292, 729,  730 ;  summary  of  labors 
and  distributions.  135, 164,  221,  292,  729,  730. 

Steele,  Rev.  David,  118. 

Stevens,  Geo.  T.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  A.,  186. 

Stevenson,  Tenn.,  462. 

Stewart,  Rev.  A.  M.,  174. 

Stillson,  J.  B.,  385. 

Stivers,  Rev.  T.  S.,  514. 

Stockbridge,  Rev.  J.,  709. 

Stoneman's  Station,  Va.,  377,  399. 

Stone  River,  Tenn.,  battle  of,  145,  455,  460. 

Storer,  Bellamy,  342. 

.Stores,  defined,  639;  first  packages  sent  to  the 
army,  639,  640 ;  cash  value  of  those  sent  by 
the  Commission,  641,  728,  729,  730;  rapid 
increase  of  donations,  641 ;  labor  of  their 
collection,  642,  736;  activity  of  smaller 
towns,  642,  643;  method  of  collecting,  642 
seq. ;  each  package  and  article  had  a  history, 
645  seq.,  735,  736 ;  variety  and  quantity,  411, 
648  seq.;  654,  661,  679.  680;  use  in  Delegate's 
work,  128,  313,  343,  560,  653  seq.;  burned  by 
rebels,  464. 

Story,  Joseph,  217,  306. 

Stout,  A.  V.,  117. 

Strawn,  Jacob,  525. 

Street,  Rev.  Geo.  E.,  399. 

Strickland,  Rev.  W.  P.,  97. 

Stuart,  Geo.  II.,  82,  90,  96,  102, 103,  106,  108,  109, 
110, 113, 123, 128, 129,  130,  131, 132,  134, 152, 
189, 190,  191,  192,  198,  200,  215,  217,  229.  230, 
236,  270,  280,  298,  345,  520,  531,  550,  688,  692. 

Summary  of  the  Commission's  work.  725  seq.; 
cash  receipts  726;  cash  expenditures,  727; 
stores  and  publications,  728;  total  receipts 
and  values,  729;  total  labors  and  distribu- 
tions, 729 ;  of  the  entire  work,  730 ;  com- 
parisons, 731  seq. ;  reflections.734  seq. 

Summer  work  in  the  army,  420  seg.Z  in  an  active 
campaign,  427  sr.q. 


II.    INDEX    TO   THE   ANNALS. 


751 


Sunday-School  Times,  183,  234,  522,  527. 
Sutherland.  J.  W.,  79. 
Sutton,  Rev.  J.  F.,  152,336. 

TAYLOR,  REV.  GEO.,  348. 

Taylor,  II.  K.,  349. 

Taylor,  Rev.  John  C.,  335. 

Taylor,  Rev.  W.  II.,  336. 

Taylor,  Rev.  W.  J.  R.,  D.D.,  73,  74,  132,  234,  688, 

689,  690,  694. 

Texas,  work  in,  228,  311,  316  teq.,  454,  517. 
Thanksgiving  Day  among  the  soldiers,  320,  476. 
Thanksgiving  Day  collections,  143,  524,  525. 
Thayer,  C.  C.,  314. 
Thissell,  II.  N.,  304. 
Thomas,  Rev.  E.,  353. 

Thomas,  General  Geo.  H.,  242,  485,  513,  715,  718. 
Thomas,  Rev.  J.  C.,  485,  512,  714,  715,  716,  717. 
Thompson,  Rev.  J.  P.,  D.D.,  651. 
Thompson,  Rev.  M.  L.  R.  P.,  D.  D.,  106, 152. 
Thompson,  Rev.  0.  C.,  303. 
Three  Years  in  (he  Sixth  Carps,  Stevens,  186. 
Thrush,  Rev.  John,  296. 
Ticknor,  Edwin,  312. 
Tilton,  Theodore,  118. 
Tisdale.  Rev.  W.  L.,  426,  437. 
Tobey,  E.  S.,  103, 132, 167, 198,  306,  307. 
Todd,  Chas.  N.,  349. 
Toledo,  Ohio,  357. 
Toltnan,  Thomas,  304. 
Tomales,  Cal.,  538. 
Totten,  Robert  C.,  346. 
Townsend,  Colonel  E.  D.,  190, 191. 
Tract  Journal,  Boston,  685. 
Tract  Society  of  the  Methodist  Church,  700. 
Transports  for  supplies,  410,  419. 
Troops  in  tie  field  at  Commission's  close,  228. 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  341,  539. 
Trustees  of  the  Christian  Commission,  229. 
Tucker,  John,  136. 
Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  514. 
Tyng.  A.  G.,  330. 

Tyng,  Rev.  S.  II.,  D.D.,  106, 108, 132. 
Tyng,  Rev.  S.  II.,  Jr.,  86, 103. 

UNITED  STATES  CHRISTIAN  COMMISSION,  meeting  of 
Convention,  103;  appointed,  105,  247:  con- 
stitnent  members  and  first  officers,  106; 
first  circular,  106 ;  Executive  Committee  up- 
pointed,  108;  moots  in  Washington,  108; 
official  endorsement,  108,  109  ;  first  visit  to 
the  army,  109,  110,  247,  248;  headquarters 
in  New  York,  110;  first  published  Plan  c,f 
Operations,  110,  111 ;  vagueness  of  first  pur- 
poses, 115  :  readily  adapted  iNelf  to  rliiiii^in^ 
exigencies,  116 ;  at  first  received  with  indit- 
f'-ronce,  117  teq. ;  changes  among  executive 
officers,  122:  relations  to  Government,  124, 
131, 136,— tee  GOVERNMENT  TATOR 


TIES;  facilities  from  corporations  and  socie- 
ties, 126,— tee  COBPORATIOSS;  PUBLICATION 
SOCIETIES,  etc.;  increasing  public  favor,  127  : 
two  prominent  features,  128;  improvm*  lit 
of  organization,  128, —  tee  FIELD  ORUAMZ\- 
TION  ;  HOME  ORGANIZATION  ;  removal  of  head- 
quarters to  Philadelphia,  TJH,  ]2'.i;  further 
changes  among  officers,  129, 130;  first  auui- 
versary,  132;  statistics  for  1862, 134, 135;  in- 
crease of  operations,  142 ;  improved  methods 
in  field  work,  144  set].;  extension  of  tlie 
work  Westward,  147:  home  organization, 
151,153;  important  meeting,  152;  statistics 
for  1863, 162  teq.;  magnitude  of  the  work  in 
1864, 165, 198 ;  enlargement  of  the  Commis- 
sion, 166  ieq.;  new  measures  anil  regulations 
170  teq. ;  Convention  i>f  Western  Branches, 
187 ;  attempted  relief  of  Union  prisoners, 
188  teq. ;  commendation  by  ecclesiastical 
bodies,  205;  third  animal  meeting,  213, 216; 
last  interview  with  President  Lincoln.  214; 
statistics  for  1864,  218  seq.;  opening  of  1865, 
222 ;  second  Convention  of  Western  Branches, 
225;  official  action  for  terminating  opera- 
tions, 226  seq. ;  appointment  of  Trustees, 
229;  final  meeting  of  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, 230;  final  meeting  of  the  Commis- 
sion, 231;  "Parting  Words,"  232;  closing 
anniversary,  233  seq. ;  statistics  for  186ft, 
289  teq.;  summary  of  work,  725,—  tee  SVM- 
MARV;  list  of  members  and  officers,  169,  170; 
members  and  officers,  January  1, 1866,  737 ; 
deceased  members  and  Delegates,  738, 739. 

United  States  Sanitary  Commission.  74,  77, 117, 
150,  165, 188,  189,  207,  238,  2!!9,  240,  250,  268, 
311,  457,  472,  494,  496,  521,  657,  658,  659,  C60, 
674,  697. 

Unity  of  national  feeling  and  purpose,  566,  567. 

Uprising  of  the  people,  April,  1861,  68,  248. 

Utica,  N.  Y.,  355. 

VKRNON,  HARWOOD,  86, 103, 104. 
Volunteer   labors  in    the   army,  necessity  for, 
651-563. 

WALDON'S  RIDOE,  Tenn.,  465,  466. 

Walker,  E.  C.,  152,  348. 

\Vaiianmker,  John,  102,  103,  104. 

Ward,  U.  D.,  698. 

Warren,  Rev.  I.  P.,  711. 

Warrenton,  Va.,  393,  394,  395,  426. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  69,  83,  88,  97,  296,  297.  298. 

299,520. 

Washington  City  Bible  Society.  'JOT. 
\VatiTbiiry,  Rev.  J.  B.,  D. D.,  3-6. 
Welles,  Gideon,  Sccr-tary  ,.f  the  N.ivy.  216. 
Wells,  Rev.  Shepurd,  314. 

\\V-tern  Hraiich.-...  Conventions  of.  1^7.  225,  S50. 
\\.-MM  Plain*,  work  M 
Western  Sanitary  Cnmmlwlon,  228,  312,  313,  498. 


752 


INDEXES. 


Western,  Rev.  David,  570,  574. 

Weyraan,  Wm.  P.,  346,  347. 

Wheeling,  West  Va.,  357. 

Whipple,  General  Wm.  D.,  513,  718. 

White  House,  Va.,  419. 

White,  Norman,  118, 119, 191, 192. 

Whitney,  Mrs.  Kate  M.,  532. 

"Wilderness,"  Va.,  battles  of  the,  416  seq.,  428. 

Williams,  R.  S.,  355. 

Williams,  Rev.  E.  F.,  150,  370,  384,  407,  412,  415, 
427, 436,  448,  452,  660. 

Williams,  Rev.  Win.  R.,  D.D.,  85. 

Winchester,  Tenn.,  461. 

Windmill  Point  (Va,)  Hospital,  375,  398. 

Winter  quarters,  work  in,  411,  422 ;  plan  of  the 
stations,  413  seq. ;  in  an  artillery  brigade,  425. 

Witt,  Stillman,  351. 

Wittenmyer,  Mrs.  Annie,  344,  488,  663,  666,  667, 
670,  671,  672,  674,  675,  676,  677,  681. 

Wood,  R.  C.,  Assistant  Surgeon-General  U.  S.  A., 
80,  670. 

Woolsey,  the  Misses,  94. 

Woman's  work  in  the  war,  69,  70,  233,  275,  276, 
354,  356,  385,  539,  645,  656  seq.  See  LADIES' 
CHRISTIAN  COMMISSIONS;  DIET  KITCHEN  SER- 
VICE. 


Women's  Central  Association  for  Relief,  75, 76,77. 
Wright,  Edward  F.,  601. 
Wright,  Wm.  D.,  698. 
Wyckoff,  J.  D.,  556. 

YANNI,  ANTONIUS,  533. 

Young  Men's  Christian  Associations, — 

Baltimore,  Md.,  79,  318. 

Boston,  Mass,  87,  95,  97, 104, 121,  305. 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  95, 101,  325. 

Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  323. 

Chicago,  111.,  75,  76, 122,  308. 

Louisville,  Ky.,  328. 

New  York,  N.  Y.,  79,  82,  86,  87,  89,  95, 103, 
104, 118, 176,  297. 

Peoria,  111.,  330. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  75,  87, 121, 122,  304. 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  122,  311. 

St.  Paul,  Minn.,  349. 

Troy,  N.  Y.,  701. 

Washington,  D.  C.,  69,  83,  88,  97,  297,  298, 

299. 
Convention    for    appointing    the    Christian 

Commission,  99  seq.,  103  seq. 
"  Your  Mission,"  a  song,  217,  256. 


ORGANIZED,  NOVEMBER    IS,    1861. 


CLOSED    ITS   LABORS,   JANUARY   1,    1866. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


NOV10  1956 
JUL  20 
OCT121961 


m*  m 


twn 


WR  V6 


*6 


DEC  05 1996 

JAN  3  0  1997 


Form  L9-40m-7,'56  (079084) 444 


-Jl  I 


